
The University of Western Ontario is dedicated to the advancement of learning through teaching and research and to the discovery and application of knowledge. With annual research expenditures of nearly $225 million between the University and its affiliated research institutes, Western ranks as one of the top ten research-intensive universities in Canada. In the fiscal year of 2006, the Western community disclosed 84 inventions, filed 48 US patents, established 25 new commercial licenses and options, and generated $4.8 million in licensing revenue.
Industry Liaison (IL) is the technology transfer office of the university. With a local and global perspective, Industry Liaison strives to provide quality service to develop Western's discoveries and establish a bridge with industry.
A key contributor to Western’s research excellence is Robarts Research Institute, a dedicated medical research centre within the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. Focused on the improved detection and treatment of debilitating disease, Robarts boasts 43 principal investigators (a quarter of whom are practicing clinicians) and a powerful suite of core research facilities – from DNA sequencing and flow cytometry resources to ultra-high field imaging equipment and expertise. Formerly Canada’s largest privately-funded medical research facility, Robarts has recently entered the public sector as an independent research unit of the University, allowing for increased collaboration and excellence in medical research.
In addition, Western is a member of C4, a coalition of eleven universities and research institutions. C4 fosters innovation in south-western Ontario by promoting technology transfer and commercialization. C4 members coordinate their resources, cooperate with governmental and industrial bodies, collaborate in multi-disciplinary research to solve real world problems, and commercialize the results of their research.
The C4 includes the following research institutions in South Western Ontario: McMaster University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Windsor, Brock University, Robarts Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences, and St. Joseph's Healthcare.
Industry Liaison is seeking commercial partners to license university technologies or to establish research collaborations.