McMaster awarded $300,000 from Intellectual Property Ontario to boost innovation and commercialization

McMaster is one of ten universities to receive funding from Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) in support of tech innovation and commercialization.

The $300,000 award will support research commercialization efforts at McMaster, helping inventors move their technologies from the lab to those who can put them to their best use, says Glen Crossley, Associate Director of Business Development & Intellectual Property at the McMaster Industry Liaison Office (MILO).

“The goal is to make it easier for researchers at McMaster and affiliated hospitals to translate their innovations into use in clinics and industry here in Ontario. This investment from IPON will help us enhance our research commercialization process and expand support services for innovators across campus,” he says.

Crossley says the funding will be used to pilot a streamlined IP outreach, disclosure and technology assessment process – developed in collaboration with IPON – that serves researchers across the disciplines, specifically in the strategic areas of life sciences, MedTech, advanced manufacturing, materials, vehicle technology, software and AI.

The funding will also be put towards enhancing IP education and awareness among hospital research staff and clinicians, with the goal of boosting the number of disclosed inventions from Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. McMaster will also engage a broader network of IP advisors, including alumni, mentors and professionals, who will offer insight on specific disclosure areas.

Gay Yuyitung, Director of MILO, says these initiatives will ensure McMaster continues to develop and commercialize technologies that benefit Ontarians.

“IPON’s support is invaluable as we work to better equip McMaster innovators with the tools, expertise and connections they need to protect and maximize the impact of their IP,” she says.

IPON’s postsecondary funding program was created to enhance commercialization efforts within Ontario’s postsecondary sector and drive economic growth. Since its launch in April 2023, the program has invested $6.6 million in commercialization and innovation projects at eight colleges and twelve universities across the province.

“We’re thrilled to extend funding to 10 new postsecondary recipients to support their efforts to build IP capacity and better support their researchers and innovators,” says Dan Herman, CEO of IPON.

“This funding will help institutions across the province more effectively translate research into commercializable innovations, while ensuring the IP at their foundation is appropriately developed and protected.”

IPON’s $4.6 million investment – which includes $2.9 million allocated to 10 new program recipients and an additional $1.7 million to expand its existing pilot funding program – was announced by Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities, Jill Dunlop.

“In today’s global knowledge-based economy, Ontario’s postsecondary institutions are critical, not just as centres of learning, but as incubators for innovation and commercialization,” she says.

“Through the province’s support of IPON, our government is ensuring the social and economic benefits of publicly funded research stay in our province, so that Ontarians and the Ontario economy benefit from these new discoveries and innovations.”