LAWSON HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE (LAWSON) is one of Canada's largest hospital-based research institutes with over 400 principal investigators and clinicians that attract greater then $60 million in external research funding per year. 

LAWSON is recognized worldwide for its "bench to bedside" approach to innovative medical research. Core research strengths include drug discovery, pre-clinical and clinical studies, various imaging techniques, chronic disease monitoring, surgical technologies and advanced robotics, transplantation and regenerative medicine, cancer, orthopaedics, fetal and child health, probiotics, rehabilitation and neurological sciences.

Technology Development and Commercialization

LAWSON Business Development exists to provide services to individual researchers and research groups in relation to the identification, protection and commercialization of their intellectual property (IP). The IP portfolio of LAWSON, consisting of more than 100 active patent applications and filings and 67 issued patents, has been greater than 80% utilized in the generation of research and technology-related commercialization revenues for the institute and its researchers. Research and technology-related commercialization revenues were reported in excess of $2.0 million in 2006/2007. LAWSONcurrently has 17 active technology development, license or option agreements in place and has participated in the establishment of 9 affiliated start-up and/or spin-off companies.

Contract and Clinical Research Facilities and Services

LAWSON occupies more than 110,000 square feet of dedicated basic and applied clinical research space across 7 hospital sites. State of the art animal care facilities, in vitro and in vivo transgenic development, and gene targeting services are provided through our Inter-Wide Vivarium. Other specialized centres exist to meet all genomic, proteomic, immunological, toxicological testing or screening needs. Clinical research facilities include an ambulatory clinic for Phase III and Phase IV trials, as well as an overnight clinic for the conduct of Phase I and Phase II trials. Clinical trials expertise exists for pharmaceuticals, therapies and medical devices. Sponsors include government, individual pharmaceutical and biotech companies, consortiums and CROs in Canada, Europe, the United States and Japan.   Lawson has active agreements for the completion of more than 1,800 basic and clinical studies. Over 25% of these studies are being performed on behalf of industry sponsors.

Affiliations, Partnerships & Alliances

LAWSON maintains key affiliations with local and regional institutions including the National Research Council, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Stiller Centre for Technology Commercialization. LAWSON is an affiliated member of C4, a technology transfer consortium established by The University of Western Ontario, McMaster University, University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Windsor, Brock University, Robarts Research Institute, Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph's Healthcare.

Partnering Strategy/Interests:

Industry Liaison is seeking commercial partners to license university technologies or to establish research collaborations.