News

Do you work in spinal cord injury?

The Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) is in the process of developing a global commercialisation strategy and is looking to find companies and researchers in need of early-stage financing to help develop therapeutics, devices & diagnostics of relevance to those living with paralysis after a spinal cord injury. They are also looking to meet large corporates or potential VCs/Angel investors with a possible interest in the field with whom they might partner in the future.

What: The High Commission of Canada, in partnership with the Rick Hansen Institute, invites you to a Workshop & Networking Reception to discuss: "A Global Commercialisation Strategy for innovative therapies or technologies aimed at minimizing the effects of paralysis following Spinal Cord Injury"   

Where: Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London, SW1Y 5BJ 

When: Thursday 30 August 2012

3:00 - 5:30 PM Workshop 

5:30 - 7:00 PM Reception   

The Rick Hansen Institute has a mission to foster greater collaboration across the Spinal Cord Injury community and to accelerate progress towards a cure for paralysis after SCI. Through its core program areas (Translational Research, Best Practices implementation and the Rick Hansen SCI Registry) it has created a powerful network of researchers, clinicians and service providers who are working to improve the lives of those living with a spinal cord injury. http://www.rickhanseninstitute.org/en/

Bill Barrable, CEO of RHI, is visiting the UK later this month for the International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS) Annual Meeting. Whilst in London, Bill is keen to meet UK researchers, clinicians, technology transfer organisations, companies and investors with an interest in spinal cord injury -- to discuss a global strategy for commercialisation that the RHI is in the early stages of developing.

The main objectives of the workshop are therefore to: 

• Introduce the RHI and its commercialization program to accelerate the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments for people with spinal cord injuries
  
• Develop a network of UK contacts and partners with which the RHI can work in the future
• Get a sense of some of the unique challenges and opportunities for commercialization in the UK
  

Through its commercialisation program, the RHI is looking to support emerging companies seeking Seed or Series A financing in order to commercialize an innovation (therapeutic, medical device or diagnostic) that has application to SCI and the associated secondary complications. The RHI is in the process of identifying "where the ideas are globally" and it is therefore keen to meet any such researchers, technology transfer organisations or companies in the UK and any local Angel and Venture Capital investors or corporate business development partners with an interest in the following areas: 

• Restoration and recovery of physical mobility after SCI, including neuroregenerative and neuroprotective strategies, and rehabilitation;
• Secondary complications including, but not limited to, pressure ulcers, urinary tract infections, bowel and bladder control, autonomic dysreflexia, sexual function, neuropathic pain, and respiratory function; 
• Prevention of SCI;
• T/IS solutions relevant to the above.   

Please RSVP by August 28th to Tina Hodges (Science & Innovation Assistant)

Tel: 020 7258 6364

Email: tina.hodges@international.gc.ca

Posted on 13/08/2012