From microscope to market

OUR MISSION… The mission of ACAHO is to advance and promote excellence in the delivery of quality health services, the teaching and educational experience, and the health research and innovation enterprise. [...] As much as we understand the intrinsic value of health research, the emergence of the knowledge-based economy has also meant that we must consider how to harness the full health, social and economic benefits that come with the creation of new knowledge – while ensuring that Canadians and the rest of the world have access to health innovations. [...] Building on the release of “Moving at the Speed of Discovery…From Bench to Bedside to Business” – a comprehensive report examining the linkages between the inputs of health research and the outputs that come from such investments – in November 2007, it is understood that the life sciences and biotechnology sectors represent a substantial opportunity for Canada. [...] Implicitly, the report underscores the important relationships between early-stage research (which is largely publicly- funded by governments) and later stage research and development and the role of the private sector in terms of bringing innovative products and services to the marketplace. [...] Or, can we take full advantage of the opportunities to invest in the people, infrastructure and mechanisms that are required to own the factors of production (i.e., capital, entrepreneurship, land and labour), and capture the economic spin-offs that flow from world-class, leading-edge innovations – while improving our quality of life and standard of living?