Shimon Peres, President of Israel, Invites Canadian Innovation Leaders to Join Israel in Charting a New Frontier in Brain Research to Better Humanity

Baycrest, the Ontario Brain Institute and Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation Host Bilateral Panel on Groundbreaking Brain Research

TORONTO, May 9, 2012 /CNW/ - Baycrest, the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) and the Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (CIIRDF) today hosted a Canada-Israel Panel on Groundbreaking Brain Research with His Excellency, Shimon Peres, President of Israel, and five prominent innovation leaders from Ontario and Israel.

Panelists explored new technological approaches that could unlock the secrets of the human brain, and proposed increased interdisciplinary research cooperation between innovators in Ontario, Canada more broadly, and Israel to capitalize on these opportunities. The leaders focused on technology partnerships that could lead to new breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders such as Epilepsy, Stroke, Autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This included an emphasis on the translation of research results into clinical applications that could benefit more than two billion people around the world who suffer from a neurological disorder¹.  With the global neurology devices market forecast to reach $7.2 Billion by 2017², new linkages among researchers, clinicians and entrepreneurs could stimulate new opportunities for Canadian and Israeli firms in this field.

Inspired by the leadership of President Peres, Israel has embarked on a mission to become a world leader in groundbreaking brain research and neurotechnology development. During the panel, President Peres articulated his vision for Israel and learned about Ontario's unique  strengths in neurological research and development. Leaders from Baycrest, OBI, the University of Toronto and HTX elaborated on core competencies in neurodevice and diagnostics R&D, and top research and clinical talent in areas such as aging, stroke, neurosurgery, and brain fitness.  Dr. Rafi Gidron of Israel Brain Technologies, an organization launched to follow the president's vision, spoke to Israel's expertise in neurosciece, brain communication technologies, and deep brain  stimulation.  By building on these centres of neurological strength, Canada and Israel can chart a new frontier in brain research to benefit humanity - and generate wealth in both countries.

Moderated by Dr. Henri Rothschild, President of CIIRDF, the panel brought together the following experts:  David Naylor, MD, PhD, President, University of Toronto; Peter L. Carlen, MD, Senior Scientist, Toronto Western Research Institute; Rafi Gidron, PhD, Founder and Chairman, Israel Brain Technologies; Randy McIntosh, PhD, Vice President, Research, Director, Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest; and John Soloninka, President and CEO, HTX - The Health Technology Exchange.

"Today more than ever, we need to focus on how to best utilize existing resources rather than looking for new ones," said His Excellency Shimon Peres, President of Israel. "The human brain is the best example. Deeper understanding of how the brain operates will enable us to better understand ourselves. I believe that in the next 10 years the world will witness a scientific revolution in the field of brain research and in that new world Canada and Israel should become scientific allies."

"Ontario is proud to recognize our growing relationship with Israel," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation. "By working together and focusing our world-leading strengths in brain research on shared goals, we can transform lives, save health care costs and create good new jobs."

"Israel Brain Technologies (IBT) is translating the vision established by President Peres into innovative neurotechnologies that will help us to better understand and interact with the brain, as well as inspire future computing architecture," said Dr. Rafi Gidron, Chairman and Founder of IBT. "Founded on world-class science, interdisciplinary research and global cooperation, we aim to establish a neurotechnology industry that is globally recognized.  Given its strengths in neurodevices and diagnostics, Ontario is an ideal partner for IBT and Israel.  We look forward to increasing our collaboration as we chart this final frontier of research."

"Our bilateral dialogue on the translation of research outcomes into commercial applications is truly timely," said Dr. William Reichman, President and CEO of Baycrest. "Baycrest is quickly becoming a leader in creating technology-based solutions to mitigate the impact of age-related illness and impairment. Our global leadership in cognitive neuroscience and our transformation into a dynamic entrepreneur-centric model for translating science into innovation will see us develop products and system solutions for the aging population.  We look forward to strengthening our partnerships with Israel as we catalyze the transfer of research concepts from the lab and clinic to the market."

"For us, nothing accelerates discovery faster than collaboration," said Dr. Don Stuss, President and Scientific Director, OBI. "In Ontario, more than 2.6 million people suffer from brain disorders, and the economic impact of brain disease is estimated at $39 billion annually.  To make our province a world-leading centre for brain research, translation and innovation, we must collaborate with science and technology leaders such as Israel. These partnerships enable us to develop innovative approaches to brain research and commercialization that ensures Ontario is positioned to compete at an international level."

"Bilateral technology partnerships are positive sum endeavors that build a better world through science and cooperation," said Dr. Henri Rothschild, President of CIIRDF and moderator of the panel. "Advances in brain research are among the most important medical innovations of our times. By pooling our R&D strengths and collaborating in creative ways, Canadian and Israeli firms have the opportunity to lead the world in this critical field.  These technology alliances lead to new innovations that improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases, and open new global markets for collaborating firms."

About Baycrest

Headquartered on a 22-acre campus in Ontario and fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest is a global leader in developing and providing innovations in aging and brain health. Baycrest is unique in the world, combining a comprehensive system of care for aging patients, one of the world's top research institutes in cognitive neuroscience, dedicated centres focused on mitigating the impact of age-related illness and impairment, and unmatched global knowledge exchange and commercialization capacity. For additional information, please visit: www.baycrest.org

About the Ontario Brain Institute (OBI)

Launched in November 2010, the OBI has been established to become an internationally recognized centre of excellence in brain research, translation and innovation. It will achieve its vision by initiating, funding, promoting and stimulating brain research, education and training. The research outcomes will be translated into clinical applications and commercialization opportunities related to the prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and management of brain diseases and disorders. The Institute is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded by the Government of Ontario. The OBI will serve as a nexus for collaborative efforts, with a program focused on bringing together Ontario's leading scientists and clinicians drawn from Ontario's universities, colleges, and hospitals. For additional information about the Ontario Brain Institute, please visit: http://www.braininstitute.ca/

About the Canada-Israel Industrial Foundation (CIIRDF)

The Canada-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (CIIRDF) aims to stimulate collaborative research and development between private sector companies in both countries, with a focus on the commercialization of new technologies. Established in 1994, and recognized as one of the most successful partnership models of its kind, CIIRDF has financed more than 90 bilateral R&D projects engaging over 160 unique Canadian and Israeli companies leading to the joint research, development, marketing and sales of new products and services.Based on conservative data provided by participants, CIIRDF-enabled technologies have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in economic value for Canadian companies alone over the past decade. This reinforces how Canada-Israel S&T partnerships can be leveraged to open new markets, generate revenues and bolster international trade for collaborating firms. The foundation promotes the benefits of Canada-Israel R&D collaboration; offers a match-making service to companies; and provides early-stage investment for Canada-Israel R&D alliances that leverage the complementary capabilities, expertise and resources of each partner. For additional information, please visit: www.ciirdf.ca

About Israel Brain Technologies (IBT)

Israel Brain Technologies (IBT) was established as a non-profit organization in Israel in 2011. Envisioned by Israel President Shimon Peres, IBT's mission is to establish a globally leading neurotechnology industry in Israel and to position Israel as a global brain technology hub. With a renowned track record in technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence in neuroscience, Israel is well-positioned to assume a leadership role in neurotechnology. In order to build on these strengths and address the unmet needs, Israel Brain Technologies is fostering a fertile ecosystem intended to enhance research excellence, catalyse the commercialization process and capabilities, and mitigate the risk of R&D in the neurotechnology space. IBT's programs support a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach to applied brain research and technology development in the neurotechnology space. IBT is led by a team of technology entrepreneurs and life science professionals and guided by a board of directors composed of senior industry, academia, and public sector representatives; IBT's scientific board is comprised of distinguished international neuroscience researchers including two Nobel Laureates. For additional information, please visit: www.israelbrain.org

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¹ http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/kk67cf/the_neurodiagnost
² http://www.marketresearch.com/GBI-Research-v3759/Neurology-Devices-High-Potential-Usage-6623020/

 

Kelly Connelly
Senior Media Officer
Baycrest
416-785-2432
[email protected]

Lynn Butler 
Manager, Government Relations and Strategic Communications
Ontario Brain Institute (OBI)
647-847-3136
[email protected]

Sonya Shorey
Senior Communications Strategist
Canada-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (CIIRDF)
613-851-9416
[email protected]