The iBridge Network adds Toronto’s University Health Network
as First Canadian Partner

UHN Joins iBridge to Highlight Latest Biomedical Licensing Opportunities

Kansas City, MO. (May 25th, 2010) - The iBridgeSM Network, a program of the not-for-profit Kauffman Innovation Network, Inc., today announced that it is continuing its strategic international expansion plan with the addition of the University Health Network (UHN), a group of leading research hospitals and institutes based in Toronto, Canada.  This marks the second non-U.S.-based organization to join the iBridge Network in as many months as the Network continues to provide companies, entrepreneurs, and researchers entrenched in the global economic downturn with access to breakthrough university ideas and research to spur innovation. 

“The University Health Network embodies our ideal of embracing international collaborations where appropriate to achieve significant results,” said Lesa Mitchell, director of the iBridge Network.  “We’re thrilled to welcome UHN to the Network and to highlight the incredible diversity of biomedical research innovations they are seeking to bring to the marketplace.”

With more than 100 organizations contributing over 10,700 innovations on the site, the iBridge Network is the destination of choice for university researchers, entrepreneurs and industry to share and discover best practices and research across a variety of topic areas.

Dr. Brian Barber, Director of Technology Development and Commercialization at UHN indicated “with innovations flowing from more than 500 UHN researchers investing $250 million a year across a broad spectrum of biomedical research, we are very pleased to be able to work with iBridge to identify product development partnerships for the emerging discoveries.”

To read the full release and get further details about the newest international member or for more information about the iBridge Network, please visit www.ibridgenetwork.org.

About the University Health Network

University Health Network is comprised of Toronto General, Toronto Western, and Princess Margaret Hospitals.  The scope of research and complexity of cases at UHN has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care.  It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, infectious diseases, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, and genomic medicine.  UHN is a research and teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto.

About the iBridgeSM Network

The iBridgeSM Network is an innovation catalyst with a vibrant, online community enabling universities, companies and entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and license tomorrow’s research, products and services. Many of the nation’s leading research institutions utilize the iBridgeSM Network regularly to promote, share and advance their innovations and identify appropriate partners. The iBridgeSM Network is a program of the Kauffman Innovation Network, Inc., an initiative of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. To learn more, please visit www.iBridgeNetwork.org, e-mail us at info@iBridgeNetwork.org, or call 1-800-573-5136.