Hosted By: The Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy
The Sandra Rotman Centre for Health Sector Strategy is a research, education and policy centre aimed at generating insights for governments, organizations and other key stakeholders facing complex healthcare challenges.
Sponsored By: The Global Executive MBA for Healthcare and the Life Sciences
Driving excellence in healthcare and the life sciences
Gain the leadership edge you need for an industry where the frontiers are always advancing. Designed for working professionals, and offered by one of the world's pre-eminent universities, this program will transform the way you think, lead, and drive innovation internationally. It is an intensive 18-month journey that immerses you in key healthcare clusters around the world.
Topic: Intellectual Property Essentials for Health Sector Startups
Synopsis: Intellectual Property (IP) rights are key assets for the success of health sector start-ups. This session aims to offer health sector entrepreneurs and students a comprehensive introduction to IP, including valuable insights on accessing university patents, constructing a robust IP portfolio, and implementing effective IP management strategies. Join us to hear from panelists with expertise in innovation, healthcare, and life sciences.
Video available, click here!
About our Speakers:
Alberto Galasso, Rotman Chair in Life Sciences Commercialization, Professor of Strategic Management
Alberto Galasso is a Professor of Strategic Management at the University of Toronto, where he holds the Rotman Chair in Life Sciences Commercialization. He is Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and Research Fellow at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). He serves as co-editor for the Journal of Economics and Management Strategy, as associate editor for the Journal of Industrial Economics and the International Journal of Industrial Organization, and as member of the editorial board for the Strategic Management Journal. His research agenda focuses on the determinants of innovative activity, the management of innovation and the functioning of markets for technology.
Slides available
Stephen Leonard, Co-founder, Qvella
Stephen is a co-founder of Qvella, a Canadian diagnostics company that is developing technologies facilitating the rapid diagnosis and treatment of sepsis. Stephen manages Qvella’s intellectual property portfolio and enjoys working strategically to support many groups within the company. Stephen also practices as a registered patent agent at Hill and Schumacher, a boutique IP firm in Toronto where he advises a wide variety of technology startups, teaching hospitals and academic institutions, and has prosecuted over 1000 patent applications. Stephen is passionate about supporting the commercialization of new technologies and working with early-stage entrepreneurs. After earning his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Toronto in 2001, Stephen went on to work at several startups in telecommunications, software and medical diagnostics, taking on numerous roles including scientific research, product development, business development, strategy, and intellectual property management, before co-founding Qvella in 2009.
Slides available
Tamara O'Connell, Patent Portfolio Manager, University of Toronto -
Tamara O’Connell is an intellectual property lawyer and patent agent. As a Patent Portfolio Manager at the University of Toronto, she works with University researchers to develop and protect their intellectual property. Tamara has a background in electrical and computer engineering and works on technologies across a variety of sectors, including health innovation.
Slides available
Ella Korets-Smith, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer, Virica Biotech; Founder, EKS Business Development
Ms. Korets-Smith is an entrepreneur and biotechnology executive. She founded EKS Business Development, a consulting company which builds and helps operate biotechnology companies. She is co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Virica Biotech, a hyper-growth company delivering on the promise of viral medicines. Previously, as VP Business Development at Antibe Therapeutics, she closed deals valued at over $100M USD, driving multiple fundraising and liquidity events and at Nordion Inc. led successful marketing and business development programs resulting in annual sales of over $50M. Ms. Korets-Smith has an MSc in Medical Genetics from the University of Toronto and an MBA from Dalhousie University.
Slides available