Baycrest Health Sciences to lead $100 million partnership in brain health and aging innovation

Government of Canada includes historic $42 million investment
in today's federal budget

TORONTO, April 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Baycrest Health Sciences will lead a new Canadian venture aimed at optimizing the cognitive, emotional and physical well-being of older adults—across the country and around the globe.

Today's Government of Canada 2015 Budget announcement included a federal investment of $42 million over five years for the creation of the Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CC-ABHI). Combined with commitments from the Baycrest Foundation and 40 leading industry, academic, public sector and not-for-profit partners, this brings the total investment in CC-ABHI to $100 million. CC-ABHI will become a national hub and network dedicated to the development, validation, commercialization, dissemination and adoption of brain health and seniors care products and services.

This is one of the largest senior care investments globally, and creates a national centre dedicated to driving innovation in aging and brain health through CC-ABHI's unique multi-faceted partnership.

This historic commitment by the federal government positions Canada to take a leading international role in tackling health challenges and addressing the market demand related to aging and brain health. In Canada alone:

• The number of seniors is expected to double to more than 10 million in the next two decades
• Dementia is the leading cause of disability among Canadian seniors
• Dementia costs the national economy $33 billion per year
• The number of people living with dementia will grow to 1.4 million by 2031

Worldwide, there are clear opportunities and demand for products and services related to aging and brain health:

• The global market for brain health applications, software and biometrics will grow from $1 billion to $10 billion by 2020
• 75% of healthcare consumers are comfortable communicating with their doctor virtually
• The annual market for remote/mobile monitoring devices in the United States is up to $43 billion
• 92% of 'worried well' consumers over 50 rated 'staying mentally sharp' as their top interest

"The world's population is aging rapidly, and incidences of dementias such as Alzheimer's present significant societal challenges on a global scale," says Dr. William Reichman, president and CEO of Baycrest. "At the same time, the demand for new senior's care technologies and practices is growing. We applaud the Government of Canada for their historic investment. This will lay the foundation to further brain health and aging innovation and commercialization, for we believe addressing these challenges presents an excellent opportunity to enhance older adults' quality of life and for Canada's economy to prosper as global demand increases."

The focus of CC-ABHI will be on catalyzing and accelerating the innovation cycle from idea generation to bench testing to bedside evaluation to broad market penetration. The Centre will also tackle issues such as barriers to access for end users, the need for solution validation in real-world care settings, adoption among healthcare providers and consumers, and a lack of innovation in the long-term care sector.

Some of the tangible benefits anticipated from the CC-ABHI partnership, in addition to the introduction of innovative aging and brain health products and services that improve the quality of life for older adults, include stimulating job growth and investment in Canadian companies connected to the Centre.

With today's announcement, work will now begin to launch CC-ABHI in the Fall of 2015.

About Baycrest Health Sciences
Baycrest Health Sciences is a global leader in geriatric residential living, healthcare, research, innovation and education, with a special focus on brain health and aging. As an academic health sciences centre fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest provides an exemplary care experience for aging clients combined with an extensive clinical training program for students and the Rotman Research Institute, one of the world's leaders in cognitive neuroscience. Through its commercial and consulting arms, Baycrest is marketing its sought-after expertise and innovation to other healthcare organizations and long-term care homes, both in Canada and internationally.

About CC-ABHI Partners
The Canadian Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation founding partners include leading industry (12), academic (6), public-sector (20), and not-for-profit partner (2) organizations.  Partners have committed key infrastructural resources to create a platform of expert services, supports, and distribution channels accessible to CC-ABHI as part of the Centre's activities. Collectively these partners will contribute a total of $33M that will be utilized to invent, test, demonstrate, disseminate, adopt, and catalyze innovation.

SOURCE Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care

Kelly Connelly, Senior Media Officer, Baycrest Health Sciences, 416.785.2432, [email protected]