BIOTIC: The BIOmedical Translational Imaging Centre

Moving neuroscience research from the lab and turning it into a product is extremely challenging. Even the most groundbreaking technologies may never improve a patient's life if the commercialization path is not successfully navigated. For small Canadian start-up companies with a great neurotechnology idea, the use of medical imaging to provide a direct demonstration of efficacy is critical. The BIOmedical Translational Imaging Centre ('BIOTIC') is unique in Canada as the only hospital-based imaging lab with an explicit mandate to translate brain science innovations through commercial partnership. The role of BIOTIC is to help bridge the gap between early-stage research and clinical trials. The BIOTIC platform has a valuable role to play through linking industry researchers with a hospital-based imaging platform for translational research. The scientists at BIOTIC provide neurotechnology companies with access to cutting-edge imaging and neuroscience expertise, as well as high-level analytics. BIOTIC's platform achieves its goals by taking research-dedicated imaging equipment, locating it directly within academic health centres, and surrounding it with an integrated team of technical, scientific and business expertise that understands what it takes to partner with industry and launch a product to market. With the support of Brain Canada, BIOTIC is removing barriers to success in brain health innovation – e.g. cost effective access to imaging technology and expertise – by altering a status quo system that is quite simply not working for early-stage neurotechnology companies in this country.