OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: What You Need to Know About Raising Money in 2025  

Join OBIO® for a fireside chat with legal and venture capital experts
Sarah Farr, Senior Associate at Genesys Capital and Jennifer Humphrey, Associate, Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP  to understand the current climate for fundraising. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

The AI Opportunity: Revolutionizing Clinical Trials, Transforming Healthcare  

Special event at the 2025 BIO International Convention in Boston

Clinical Trials Ontario, Life Sciences Ontario, and OBIO® are bringing industry and research leaders together in Boston for an in-person event showcasing how artificial intelligence is transforming clinical trials and healthcare delivery.

Join the event on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Westin Boston Seaport District for a morning of insights and networking as we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping clinical trials and the broader healthcare landscape.

Key discussion areas include:

• Impact of AI on clinical trials and data integration

• Ontario and Canada’s advantages in conducting AI-driven research and innovation

• Opportunities to enhance patient care and accelerate therapeutic development

Designed for leaders in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, CROs, and business and healthcare innovators, this event highlights the strength of Canada’s research ecosystem and its role in advancing the future of global healthcare.

Meet the panelists:

The event is sponsored by:

Join us for an informative session on June 10 in Ottawa co-hosted by Capital BioVentures and OBIO® designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of early-stage financing, and learn about essential topics and strategies such as: 

• Term sheets: Decoding key terms, negotiation strategies, and common pitfalls. 

• SAFEs vs. convertible notes vs. priced rounds: Understanding pros, cons, and when to use each instrument. 

• Valuation considerations: Valuation caps, how valuation caps work in SAFE notes, and discount rates. 

• Negotiation tactics: Approaches for successful investor discussions and agreement terms. 

• Legal & financial implications: Equity dilution, important clauses, and ongoing obligations. 
  

This session will focus on practical advice and provide you with the strategies and tools you need to successfully navigate the start-up funding process. We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event – sponsored by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP*

Registration for this event is now closed.

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: What You Need to Know About Raising Money in 2025  

Join OBIO® for a fireside chat with legal and venture capital experts Sarah Farr, Senior Associate at Genesys Capital and Jennifer Humphrey, Associate, Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP  to understand the current climate for fundraising. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

As Canada accelerates the commercialization and adoption of digital technologies into the fast-growing health science industry, there is a critical need to create high-value technology jobs and support the development of talent in the technology workforce.

OBIO® is proud to partner with Upskill Canada [powered by Palette Skills] and the Government of Canada to deliver the Cybersecurity & Digital Health Training for Health Science Professionals. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare, examining the latest trends, potential threats, and their impact on the industry.

The program will provide focused upskilling to help fast-growing companies access the talent they need to thrive and prosper, while creating new career paths for workers to quickly transition into high-demand roles.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Join us for a morning of insightful conversation and networking at the Deloitte x OBIO Breakfast on May 6, focused on the impact of venture financing from the US and the impact of cross-border corporate tax for Canadian life-science founders. This event is a great opportunity to hear from tax liability experts, ask your questions, and connect with peers navigating similar challenges as they take on sizable foreign investment.

​We'll be discussing consideration for expansion into the US with the impact on corporate taxes, ensuring your company is optimally structured for getting high exit milestones without incurring significant tax burdens, as well as price transfers and exchangeable shares when onboarding foreign shareholders.

You'll surely leave with practical knowledge to help guide your next steps. Coffee and breakfast will be served—come hungry for both food and ideas!

*Note: Approval Required. Your registration is subject to approval by the host*

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: Benefits of Being a Canadian-controlled Private Corporation

Join us at our next breakfast session featuring guest speakers Gary Marshall (Partner, Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP) and Jennifer Humphrey (Associate, Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP).

This session will cover the following topics:

• Benefits of Being a CCPC: We will explore the advantages Canadian-Controlled Private Corporations (CCPCs) offer, including access to government credits and grants, tax deferrals and strategic planning on an exit and benefits to Canadian option holders.

• Considerations for Delaware Continuance: We will briefly discuss the various considerations and implications for entities contemplating a move to Delaware to help founders make an informed decision.
  
  We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: Setting up a Life Sciences Business in the UK - Tips & Strategies

Join us at our next OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) breakfast on March 27 for an insightful session designed to help life sciences start-ups establish themselves in the UK.

We will be welcoming guest speakers Emily Addison (Country Director, Canada at UK Department of Business and Trade), and Rachael Stevens (Head of Science and Innovation – Ontario at Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office).

This session will address the following topics:

• Overview of the UK life sciences sector; R&D strengths, clusters

• Why would companies want to set up in the UK

• How to set up in the UK and work with the UK Department of Business and Trade

• Government incentives

• Key high-growth areas - Health AI/ Digital Health, Medical Technical technology (prevention and early diagnosis); Cell & Gene therapy, Sustainability in the NHS, Engineering Biology

We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

OBIO’s International Women's Day Celebration

Meet our panelists

Meet our pitching companies

The event is a great opportunity for attendees to network, collaborate, and invest in the next wave of healthcare innovations, while amplifying the voices of the women shaping the industry.

Thank you to our sponsors for their support!

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: IP Strategy for Growth: From Concept to Commercialization - Developing an IP Roadmap 

Join us for our next event in the OBIO® WiHI Breakfast Series, "IP Strategy for Growth: From Concept to Commercialization - Developing an IP Roadmap."

This insightful session will feature Jean-Nicolas Delage, Partner, Emerging and High Growth Companies at Osler, which specializes in intellectual property strategy and transactions.

Jean-Nicolas will guide participants through the crucial steps of building and protecting an IP portfolio to support long-term growth, from initial concept to market entry. Drawing on his extensive experience in advising emerging technology companies and his expertise in patent pools and standardization processes, he will offer valuable insights on developing effective IP strategies.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

As part of the 2025 OBIO® Investment Summit, OBIO® members and ecosystem partners are invited to join us for an evening of networking.

• If you are already attending the Summit as a presenting company, Early Technology Showcase partner, sponsor or investor, then the reception is already included in your registration.

• If you are a paid OBIO® member, check your inbox for a discount link or write to us at events@obio.ca.

Thank you to our Platinum sponsor Collaborative Drug Discovery for supporting the networking reception!

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: Funding Foundations: Navigating Your Start-up's First Capital Raise 

Kick off the new year with the first WiHI Women Leaders in Health breakfast of 2025!

Join us for an informative session designed to help entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of early-stage financing, and learn about essential topics and strategies such as: 

• Term sheets: Decoding key terms, negotiation strategies, and common pitfalls. 

• SAFEs vs. convertible notes vs. priced rounds: Understanding pros, cons, and when to use each instrument. 

• Valuation considerations: Valuation caps, how valuation caps work in SAFE notes, and discount rates. 

• Negotiation tactics: Approaches for successful investor discussions and agreement terms. 

• Legal & financial implications: Equity dilution, important clauses, and ongoing obligations. 
  

This session will focus on practical advice and provide you with the strategies and tools you need to successfully navigate the start-up funding process. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

*This is an invitation-only event.

Levelling the playing field: how Canadian health tech innovators can compete with U.S. companies during a time of protectionism

Canadian health tech innovators are facing an increasingly complex landscape. With tight funding, a U.S. "home court" advantage, and a shifting political climate, succeeding in the global market – particularly the U.S. – is more challenging than ever.  

Discover how to navigate these challenges as we explore C.H.I.E.F.S. (Canadian Health Innovation Evaluation For Success), a powerful tool created by Mammoth to help Canadian health SMEs compete with U.S. innovators. 

Backed by empirical data, this tool is built on 50 proprietary criteria, grouped into 10 core functions and distilled into 6 key priorities.  

Key Learning Objectives: 

• Recognize unappreciated deficiencies (use of funds and exit strategy) 

• Unlock the key to winning pitch competitions  

• Address the post-election uncertainty in the U.S. and how it affects your market approach 

Given the recent U.S. election and the complete change in leadership, C.H.I.E.F.S. is more critical than ever to help navigate the evolving health tech landscape for innovators. 

 Reserve your spot today! 

OBIO’s Annual Public Meeting & Reception 2024

Get ready to celebrate with OBIO®!  

Join us for our Annual Public Meeting and Reception for an evening of innovation, inspiration and fun on Thursday, December 5, from 5 to 8pm at the Royal Canadian Military Institute. 

We’ll be celebrating our accomplishments in 2024 and taking the opportunity to thank our board of directors, members and ecosystem partners, embracing the spirit of collaboration.

This year’s event will be especially memorable, as we proudly celebrate OBIO's 15th anniversary.

✨ Special Highlights ✨ 

Improv Pitching Competition: Watch founders we've supported along their journey go off-script as they present “surprise” slide decks, challenging them to be spontaneous and inventive! Your vote will decide who your favourite presenter is! 

Networking Reception: Enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres, catch up with friends and partners from other start-ups, ventures and the wider ecosystem—all while celebrating the spirit of innovation that makes us strong. 

Registration spots are limited so please purchase your tickets early! 

We look forward to seeing you there!  

OBIO® WiHI Breakfast: Navigating Employment and Employee Incentives for Life Science Start-ups

The OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) is excited to announce its upcoming breakfast session on November 27, focusing on essential employment law and employee incentive strategies for start-ups. This session is ideally suited for start-up founders, executives and leaders in life sciences seeking practical guidance on the following topics:

• Employee stock options and taxation - covering option grants, tax treatment, and market terms

• Employee benefits and hiring & termination management

Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with fellow women leaders and pioneers in the field over breakfast, followed by engaging insights and a lively panel discussion. We look forward to seeing you there!

*This is an invitation-only event. Are you (or any women in your network) interested in attending? Click here and we will connect with you (or them).  

Meet our guest speakers

Healthy IP Strategies in Life Sciences & Health Tech

Join us for an informative event where top IP experts, visionary founders, and industry leaders come together to share valuable insights on protecting your intellectual property and staying ahead in the fast-paced landscape of the life sciences and health tech industries!

Attendees will: 

• Learn how to protect their IP as healthcare innovators

• Gain an understanding of IP strategies for different types of innovations 

• Understand how to prepare for due diligence and licensing 

• Uncover various IP support programs 

• Network with peers and industry leaders 

Women Pioneers in Life Sciences: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact in Canada

Join us for the OBIO® Women Leaders in Life Sciences Breakfast Series featuring an inspiring panel discussion, Women Pioneers in Life Sciences: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact in Canada. This exclusive networking breakfast will bring together influential women leaders to share their journeys, insights, and challenges in shaping the future of life sciences in Canada. 

Are you a biotech and pharma start-up going through drug discovery and development?

Equip yourself with the tools and practical knowledge to effectively collaborate with a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) partner. This webinar taking place on October 16, from 12-1pm EDT will feature guest speaker Geoff Evans, President of Eurofins CDMO Alphora.

Join us and learn about:

• The importance and role of a CDMO

• The Request for Proposal (RFP) process

• Key factors in selecting the right CDMO partner for your program

• And more... 

In partnership with Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and OBIO®, the Ontario Securities Commission is hosting an information session on the Ontario capital markets and recent regulatory changes that support early-stage capital raising for Ontario businesses.

Learn about sources of capital for early-stage life sciences and health tech companies and how to identify new investors. This event will focus on recent regulatory changes that have broadened the pool of investors in Ontario. The event will include an overview of the current investing climate and the implications for your business.

Are you involved with the manufacturing, designing, or regulatory compliance of medical devices?

In partnership with CSA Group, OBIO® is excited to invite you to attend a half-day seminar on Electrical Safety Testing & Certification, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing & Certification, and Global Market Access. This event, led by industry experts, will take place in Toronto (178 Rexdale Blvd) on October 2, 8 am - 1:30 pm.

Topics covered will include:

• Choosing a test plan, understanding the process to complete testing and obtaining certification

• Standards and regulations, testing procedures, and design & troubleshooting

• Certification requirements for key markets and solutions for emerging & established global markets

• Global Market Access regulatory compliance, standards and testing, and documentation & submissions.

This is a valuable opportunity to learn and expand your current knowledge of medical device testing and certification, ask industry experts questions, and network with fellow professionals.

Meet our guest speakers

AbbVie Partnering Day in Toronto

Toronto | September 26, 2024

AbbVie, in collaboration with OBIO®, will host a Partnering Day in Toronto, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and biotech companies from Canada on September 26, 2024.

Note: This is a private event. All attendees will need to be pre-approved by the AbbVie team.

Agenda:

Morning: One-on-one partnering meetings with pre-selected companies
See instructions for meeting requests below.

Afternoon: AbbVie Showcase

• Overview of AbbVie’s strategies and external innovation priorities

• AbbVie’s approach to partnering

• Networking reception

Participants must register in advance and be approved to attend the AbbVie Showcase.

One-on-one Partnering Meeting

Companies must apply in advance and be approved for a one-on-one partnering meeting. Please send a meeting request to partneringday@abbvie.com.

Selection Criteria
One-on-one meeting proposals will be evaluated by a panel of AbbVie reviewers by the following criteria:

• Projects in all stages from discovery to clinical stage in our Areas of Interest

• Strategic fit and differentiation from existing solutions

Deadline to submit applications: September 6, 2024

Limited seats for one-on-one meetings available.

AbbVie Delegates:

• Niels Emmerich, VP, Global Head S&E and Alliances

• Arpita Maiti, Head of S&E Immunology

• Jenny Wang, Director, S&E Oncology

• Murali Gopalakrishnan, Senior Director, S&E Neuroscience

• Doug Faunce, Executive Director, Head of S&E Eye Care

• Chinmay Kanuga, Senior Director, S&E Medical Aesthetics

• Jay Stamatis, VP, BD&A

• Christian Schubert, VP, AbbVie Ventures

FAQs

OBIO®  is excited to partner with the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association (HBA) on the Pitch Competition for Women Innovators, taking place in Toronto on September 25! Promising start-ups in the healthcare or life sciences sector with at least 51% female ownership will be participating in the Pitch Competition (read the press release) and:

• Compete for prize money and present their innovation to judges from venture capital, private equity, and global healthcare sectors. 

• Connect with key industry players, potential investors, and fellow innovators. 

• Gain invaluable exposure and recognition for their start-up on an international stage. 

For more information, please visit: HBA Pitch Competition. 

About HBA 

The Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a global organization spanning 75+ countries and with nearly 50 years of experience empowering women. HBA’s 175+ corporate partners represent a global workforce of nearly 6 million people. We believe by joining forces in the relentless pursuit of gender equity, we are doing more than uniting our 17,000+ passionate healthcare and life sciences professionals—we are strengthening the business of the healthcare ecosystem.  

The OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) received the 2023 HBA Advancement. Commitment. Engagement. (ACE) Honourable Mention, which is recognizing organizations committed to ensuring that gender diversity and leadership opportunities for women are part of their organizational DNA. 

OBIO® Webinar

Risk Management in Life Sciences:
The Role of Specialized Insurance 

Are you planning your product launch or thinking about your next clinical trial? Are you considering entering your first service contract with a strategic partner, or collaborating with a research partner requiring insurance coverage?  

Get a crash course on life sciences insurance coverage and as a founder, understand your needs as you progress along your commercialization journey. The session will feature guest speakers from Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management, who will highlight and discuss case studies covering: Clinical Trial Risks, Cybersecurity insurance and data breach, and IP and R&D insurance coverage. 

Once a month, the OBIO® WiHI Professional Network (WiHI) hosts a breakfast with successful and inspiring women, inviting them to share their experiences, challenges and successes as they build and grow their companies in Canada.

Upcoming Breakfast session:
September 19 | 9 – 10:30 am | Toronto

Are you a start-up looking to navigate privacy considerations in the rapidly evolving landscape of technology innovation? 

OBIO®, in partnership with Privacy Horizons Inc., is hosting a webinar to demonstrate that privacy and technological innovation can coexist. 

This session will be led by guest speaker, Patrick Lo (CISSP, CIPP/C), CEO of Privacy Horizons, and will emphasize the importance of prioritizing privacy to enhance customer trust and ensure ethical data handling practices. 

Learn about the value of:  

• Understanding privacy laws applicable to start-ups 

• Conducting comprehensive privacy impact assessments 

• Integrating privacy and security features into products and services 

• Establishing robust privacy management programs 

Once a month, the OBIO® WiHI Professional Network (WiHI) hosts a breakfast with successful and inspiring women, inviting them to share their experiences, challenges and successes as they build and grow their companies in Canada.

Upcoming Breakfast session:
June 27 | 9 – 10:30 am | Toronto

Branding for Success

Join us in Toronto on June 26, from 5:30 - 8 pm, for an insightful evening of networking with professionals in the medtech industry at our Women in MedTech Networking Event!

Join us before the summer break kicks off! On June 26, the OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) is hosting a networking event in Toronto in partnership with Cortex Design. This event will showcase women-led, early-stage companies at the forefront of the medtech industry.

This is a valuable opportunity to:

• Hear from inspiring women leaders as they share their entrepreneurial journey and dive into the reason behind their passion for innovation

• Gain valuable insights into their innovative work and key healthcare challenges they are solving

• Network with medtech companies, investors, ecosystem partners and service providers in the industry

This is an invitation-only event. Are you (or any women in your network) interested in attending? Connect with us and we will get back to you (or them).

Meet our guest speakers

Rachel Bartholomew | Founder & CEO | Hyivy Health

Lianna Genovese | CEO & Founder | ImaginAble Solutions

Zaya MacDonald | Co-Founder & CEO | Hada MedTech

Kate Riley | CEO | Eye3Concepts

Monika Yazdanian | CEO | ToeFX Inc

Thank you to our sponsors