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NMIN Strategic Initiatives Funding

Open, ongoing call for applications

NMIN’s Strategic Initiatives (SI) program supports rapid responses to just-in-time research, commercialization or knowledge mobilization opportunities.

Budgets may be requested to a maximum of $50,000. Projects must be achievable within a one-year timeframe and be aligned with NMIN’s mission and vision.

This is an open competition. Researchers within and outside of the NMIN Network are encouraged to apply.

In addition to following the SI Application Guidelines, applicants are encouraged to consult with the NMIN Research Theme Lead whose program best aligns with the proposed initiative prior to submitting a Proposal Overview.

Proposal Overview submissions will be reviewed by the NMIN Administrative Centre. Only applicants whose Proposal Overviews are most consistent with NMIN’s scientific and strategic priorities will be invited to submit a full SI Application.

Contact the Manager of Research & Partnerships with any questions regarding the SI program.

NMIN’s research program is organized around three themes:

Theme I: Targeted Drug Delivery

Nanomedicines that deliver small molecule drugs more accurately to disease sites, dramatically enhancing the therapeutic properties of small molecule drugs such as anticancer drugs.

See Theme I projects

Theme II: Gene Therapy

Nanomedicines that enable big molecules, particularly nucleic acid-based drugs, to be used therapeutically, enabling gene therapies to treat most diseases.

See Theme II projects

Theme III: Diagnostics

Nanotechnologies to detect disease earlier and more accurately, improving preventive healthcare and enabling precision medicine.

See Theme III projects

In these videos, NMIN Research Leaders introduce the Network’s three thematic research areas

Theme I: Targeted Drug Delivery 101

Theme II: Gene Therapy 101

Theme III: Diagnostics 101

The projects in NMIN’s Research Themes are supported by three Core Facilities:

NanoCore

The Translational NanoMedicines Formulation and Characterization Core Facility (NanoCore) facilitates NMIN’s vision of translating nanomedicines to the clinic by providing state-of-the-art nanoparticle formulations and a standardized nanomedicines characterization service to enable potent therapies that can be readily manufactured. Read more

Play Video
Slides in PDF from the presentation above. Each slide is linked to the corresponding timepoint of the video.
NanoCore Fast Facts information sheet (download in PDF).

PharmaCore

The Preclinical, Scale-up Manufacturing & Project Management Core Facility (PharmaCore) supports in vitro and in vivo studies as well as scale-up, stability testing and manufacturing needs to help exemplify commercial potential. PharmaCore helps identify the best potential nanomedicines for commercial development, facilitates collaboration and helps with the formation of companies. Read more

Play Video
Slides in PDF from the presentation above. Each slide is linked to the corresponding timepoint of the video.
PharmaCore Fast Facts information sheet (download in PDF).

eHTA

The early Health Technology Assessment (eHTA) Core Facility supports the translation of NMIN-funded innovations from bench to bedside. The Facility provides education, coaching, and contract research services on the use of eHTA to inform a broad range of R&D and commercialization-related activities and decisions. Read more

Play Video
Slides in PDF from the presentation above. Each slide is linked to the corresponding timepoint of the video.
eHTA Fast Facts information sheet (download in PDF).

Additional eHTA resources

eHTA Suitability Checklist: developed by NMIN’s eHTA Platform, this checklist will help you assess the potential value of the health technology emerging from your research, to inform your R&D decisions.

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Play Video
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The Drug Development Process in Canada & Technology Readiness Levels

A PharmaCore resource
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NMIN is currently supporting 70 innovative projects, including its three Core Facilities, led by Canadian nanomedicine experts.

These projects and SIs, hosted at 10 research centres across Canada, span a range of technologies (from neutrophil encapsulation to LNP systems) applied to a range of illnesses (from cancer to diabetes and eye disease).

See project & SI descriptions.

NMIN has spun-off 6 companies to date, emerging from NMIN-funded research projects.

Click on the icons below to view each company’s one-page overview (Fast Facts).

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NMIN Strategic Initiatives (SI)

Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation (KTEE)/Commercialization Support Program

Ongoing call for applications

NMIN’s Strategic Initiatives (SIs) – Knowledge and Technology Exchange and Exploitation (KTEE)/Commercialization Support Program supports Network investigators ready to move forward with commercialization-related and/or knowledge mobilization-related activities.

NMIN’s SIs-KTEE/Commercialization Support Program aims to facilitate: the commercialization of IP (including translation to clinical care); the mobilization of knowledge arising from NMIN-funded research projects; and the growth of Canadian companies (new and existing) in the nanomedicines field with potential to generate social and economic benefits to Canadians.

Budgets may be requested to a maximum of $50,000. Initiatives must be aligned with NMIN’s mission and vision. Proposals with partner funding will be prioritized.

NMIN’s Strategic Initiatives (SIs) – KTEE/Commercialization Support Program aims to:

  • Accelerate the commercialization of Intellectual Property (IP) with potential to progress towards nanomedicines-related commercial end-points, where these commercial activities are not covered in NMIN-approved research project budgets, by:
  • Responding rapidly to requests for support from Network investigators through streamlined application and review processes; and
  • Awarding smaller (and more difficult to source) envelopes of funding, in the range of $1,000-$50,000.
  • NMIN’s KTEE/Commercialization support strategy is to encourage NMIN PIs to apply for SI Commercialization funding to secure specialized consulting services with expertise aligned with their project’s specific needs including but not limited to:

  • Business plan development
  • Target Product Profile (TTP), commercial readiness, and competitive landscape assessments, comparative product analyses, accessible market size assessments
  • Diagnostic product development plans
  • Drug development plans
  • Governance management
  • IP protection advice
  • Scale-up manufacturing planning
  • Business development and start-up company guidance
  • Product development and scale-up manufacturing guidance
  • To be eligible for NMIN’s Strategic Initiatives (SIs) – KTEE/Commercialization Support Program, you must:

  • Be a Board-approved NMIN Network Investigator;
  • Confirm your eligibility to hold NMIN NCE funds (Tri-Agency) by consulting the Application Administration Guide of the CIHR;
  • Consult with NMIN’s Scientific Director, and/or the appropriate NMIN Theme or Core Leaders regarding the commercial and scientific strength/validity of the IP on which the SI application would be based; and
  • Consult with NMIN’s Executive Director regarding the strategic alignment of the proposed initiative with NMIN’s priorities and vision.
  • For more information, contact: info@nanomedicines.ca.