OBIO® At A Glance
Advancing Our Competitive Edge in Health Technology Innovation And Commercialization
Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO®) founded in 2009, is a not-for-profit, membership based organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of Ontario’s human health science companies positioning Ontario as a leader in the international marketplace. OBIO® advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, patients and government.
OBIO® led the Ontario Bioscience Economic Strategy Team (OBEST®) in developing a province-wide strategic vision for addressing key issues such as capital access, capabilities/people, innovation adoption, market receptivity and export. The OBEST strategy is the catalyst that continues to be refined — guided by the priorities identified by OBIO’s Members. OBEST touches all that OBIO® delivers to support a sustainable health science sector that creates jobs, attracts expertise and improves health outcomes while building a prosperous economy in Ontario and Canada.
ADVOCACY • BUILDING THE ENVIRONMENT
OBIO’s reports “Achieving Impact Through Adoption of Innovative Health Technologies: Establishing Early Adopter Health Organizations as an Accelerator for Economic Growth in Ontario”, “Bridging the Talent Gap: Reporting on Year 2”, as well as OBIO’s “Job Seeker Toolkit” and “Early Career Talent Guide” contain actionable solutions to achieve health and economic benefits for Canadians. OBIO® continues to work with stakeholders to develop policies that will revitalize market conditions for a thriving industry. OBIO’s MPP Health Science Caucus meets regularly to discuss the environment for Ontario’s health science industry, as well as advancing OBIO’s policy initiatives.
ACTION • BUILDING INTERCONNECTIVITY
OBIO® offers numerous ‘Interconnectivity’ related activities that bring together people in the fields of industry, academia, government and the investment community for networking and learning over meals, at workshops and events. Cross stakeholder experiences allow people to share knowledge and ideas, solve problems, and advance a shared vision of a fully-functioning ecosystem in which companies are founded, operate and grow.
ACCESS • BUILDING COMPANIES
OBIO’s Technology Commercialization initiative advances policies and programs designed to increase investment in the Ontario health sciences sector. The Capital Access Advisory Program (CAAP®) provides strategic guidance to enhance the venture-readiness profiles of Ontario companies. The CAAP international advisor network includes senior members of the venture community and successful health sciences executives. OBIO’s newly launched MINT™ (Mentoring, Investors, Networking, Targeted Advice) program operates upstream of CAAP and benefits companies currently raising “seed” or later rounds of financing. The Health to Business Bridge™ (H2BB™) program supports the development of business-trained talent across Ontario’s health science sector.
OBIO® Anti-Racism Statement
As millions around the world speak out against racism and its impact, OBIO®, as an organization, is committed to anti-racism and to advancing racial equality.
OBIO® will continue to grow as an organization by listening and learning. We will continue to emphasize the importance of diversity within our organization and make change by reviewing our own processes, committing to implement those that ensure inclusiveness is at the core of all we do.
OBIO® is also committed to reflecting on and understanding how systemic racism, especially anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, contributes to injustice and inequality in Canada, and being part of the change that eliminates it.