Tenant invests in cancer research

That fundamental question from patients in his neurosurgery clinic at The Hospital for Sick Children underlines the most sinister aspect of cancer, says neurosurgeon Dr. Peter Dirks, and it drives his work as a scientist investigating cancer stem cells.

Yesterday, Dirks was among the representatives of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), outlining the broad vision for a combined $60 million full-court press on cancer at a news conference with the Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson.

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Reform hope for neglected patients

The Globe ran an excellent, high profile (Page A3!) story today on the need for improvements in orphan drug policy (to treat orphan, or rare, diseases) in this country. The articles focuses on a patient with a rather unfortunate condition who cannot afford the current treatment. While that story has been written before, the new twist comes from a private member’s bill in Federal Parliament that was introduced Monday that would define rare disorders and create a fund to improve access to rare-disease treatments and research in these areas.

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Social Innovation in Hamilton

MaRS CEO, Ilse Treurnicht, and our director of social entrepreneurship, Allyson Hewitt, are headed to McMaster University today to speak at their Innovation Cafe in partnership with the Golden Horseshoe Biosciences Network. It’s a conversational-style forum exploring how social innovation — often in combination with technological innovation — is working in their community and beyond.

The Hamilton groups are among a growing number of organizations worldwide working to increase public awareness of social innovation at the grassroots level — and putting into action the unique strengths of post-secondary institutions to help their host communities think, plan and act differently in the face of significant social change.

Check out this informative feature story in yesterday’s Hamilton Spectator:
“Innovation also helps meet social needs”

Creativity and Innovation Day: April 21st

A Canadian-born project, started to celebrate creativity and explore how it can impact and promote innovation, is now an annual event. Today, April 15, Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday, is when the party begins. Idea Week is seven days that are set aside to encourage creativity and enthusiasm for innovation in the arts, business, science and education sectors. It’s all concluded with Creativity and Innovation Day on April 21.

Da Vinci took different approaches to solving problems and working with ideas. He is, if you will, the mascot and hero of Creativity and Innovation Day.

Why celebrate? Find new solutions to old problems, create new opportunities, breakdown barriers and open new choices.

Want to know what can you do to celebrate the day?

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At last Wednesday’s CIBC presents Entrepreneurship 101 lecture, we heard Craig Thorburn of Blake, Cassels and Graydon talk about the nature of the corporation, including the various roles of shareholders, boards and officers.

In the discussion after class, one attendee raised the issue of corporate profits: while accepting the obligation of any company to meet all regulatory, safety, tax, etc., requirements, should a company be obliged to share some of its profits through charitable donations to groups in society?

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Toronto Centre for Brain Fitness

Monday, April 7, 2008 was a day of celebration for a group of “brainiaks” from MaRS and our Baycrest colleagues as they announced:
“Ontario government invests $10 million into the New Centre for Brain Fitness at Baycrest.”

The funding will provide much needed fuel for the development and commercialization of solutions aimed at assessment and maintenance of cognitive abilities.

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ENP comes to Toronto!

As more and more people get into the business of doing good, resources and opportunities are arising, slowly but surely, to meet the demand. For those established do-gooders (the great folks working in non-profits and charities) there’s some refreshing news on the financial front: There’s a new kid in town!

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Celebrating young innovators

Do you know an innovative young leader? Spring is here, and it’s time for students to apply for the Millennium Excellence Awards.

These scholarships reward leaders who are contributing to Canada’s future. It is so important to encourage and celebrate innovation in young leaders. Our future lies in the hands of these up and coming brilliant young minds working hard for the greater good. They’re the next generation of MaRtians, your future employees, or maybe the head of Canada’s next big innovation success story.

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Download the report

Did you know that the first stem cell was discovered right here in Toronto in 1961 by Canadian scientists Till and McCulloch at the University of Toronto-affiliated Ontario Cancer Institute labs?

It’s a simple yet significant fact, but so many people have no idea. I know the Canadian way is to be soft-spoken and humble, but give me a break! As this multi-billion-dollar industry begins to take off, it’s time that Canadians take pride in our discovery of the first stem cell.

This was one of many facts I unearthed as I researched MaRS’ first industry report, which takes an in-depth look at the stem cell industry both here at home and globally.

And read on, because there’s more you should know…

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At last Wednesday’s Entrepreneurship 101 lecture, students heard Lance Laking, President and CEO of BTI Photonics Systems, talk about the difference between techies and sales people: the different motivators and rewards for the two different groups.

What remains debatable, however, is when you allocate your budget, who gets the bigger paycheque — the techie who develops the product or the salesperson who sells it? It has famously been said, “Nothing happens until someone sells something.” But what if there is nothing to sell?

How would you make the decision?

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