Canada is a global hub for life sciences, thanks to our strong research and development (R&D) ecosystem, highly skilled professionals, top-tier academic institutions, and many opportunities for research collaboration and skills development. The Government of Canada is investing in the potential of businesses and entrepreneurs who are developing innovative health technologies to provide care Canadians deserve.
Today, the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), joined by the Honourable David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South, the Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier and Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament for Orléans, announced an investment of over $4 million for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI), in partnership with Bruyère, to establish the 8-80 Collaborative.
CHEO RI is a not-for-profit corporation that connects talent and technology to find life-changing solutions for every child, youth and family in Ottawa and beyond. With this investment, the organization will work with Bruyère to bring together regional representatives and early-stage innovations from Eastern Ontario’s health professionals with companies delivering health solutions for patients from youth to older adults.
Through the four-year project, CHEO RI and Bruyère will work together to provide innovators with coaching and mentorship, seed funding and access to other health innovation supports. They will also work to help innovators in the early stages of product development with planning, industry networking and seed funding.
By project completion, the 8-80 Collaborative is expected to support over 30 businesses, provide training and mentorship for 50 people and create over 85 jobs.
“The 8-80 Collaborative is a great example of how health research organizations in Ontario are doing things differently to find solutions to the current challenges facing our health care system. The 8-80 Collaborative is bringing together research and innovation, which will create modern health solutions for Canadians. The Government of Canada will continue to invest in people as they reach their potential and turn possibilities into realities.”
– The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“Today’s investment is great news for the National Capital Region and the future of Canada’s life sciences sector. By leveraging the existing network between CHEO RI and Bruyère, the 8-80 Collaborative will serve as a unique hub in the region, providing innovation support for pediatric and geriatric focused products.”
– The Honourable David McGuinty, Member of Parliament for Ottawa South
“This investment is another step that the Government of Canada is taking to build the future of Canada, one where a strong healthcare economy enhances the well-being of Canadians, creates jobs, and fuels sustainable economic growth for generations to come."
– Marie-France Lalonde, Member of Parliament for Orléans
“It is great to see organizations from the Ottawa region play such an important role in projects like this. Organizations like Bruyère are working hard to help shape the future of our life sciences sector and improve the health of Canadians for years to come."
– The Honourable Mona Fortier, Member of Parliament for Ottawa—Vanier
“Supporting early-stage innovation is key to conquering some of the most pressing problems facing health care today. Leveraging our thriving innovation culture at CHEO and the expertise and invaluable insights of our clinicians and researchers, the 8-80 Collaborative partnership with Bruyère will bridge the gap between business, health care and research, and serve as a catalyst and connector for bold new ideas and solutions for our youngest to oldest patients.”
– Dr. Jason Berman, Chief Executive Officer of the CHEO RI, and Vice-President of Research, CHEO
“The 8-80 Collaborative empowers us to advance our pioneering work in connecting the people behind innovative solutions with the most pressing health care challenges. Together, Bruyère and CHEO are creating a platform that will support early-stage innovators to bring new ideas and health tech products to life for the benefit of older adults and youth, knowing these solutions, once implemented, can benefit everyone."
– Guy Chartrand, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bruyère
Established in 1987, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute (CHEO RI) is a global centre of excellence in pediatric research that connects talent and technology in pursuit of life-changing research for every child, youth and family in the CHEO community and beyond.
Bruyère is Eastern Ontario’s leading health organization specializing in aging, rehabilitation, and care for those with multiple complex medical conditions. As a member of the CAN Health Network, Bruyère will work with the 8-80 Collaborative health tech innovators to overcome the barriers that prevent health innovation companies from scaling to their full commercial potential.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested nearly $215 million in more than 210 projects in Ottawa, creating over 8,500 jobs and maintaining over 7,500 jobs.
