Jump Start Workshop: How to Accelerate Research and Technology Development with BARDA & JLABS

Event Date: Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 | 12:00-1:30 PM EST

This event is hybrid and will be taking place in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy (Room TBD) and Zoom.

Registration Required.

During this session our panelists will present and discuss early activities that researchers should engage in to identify funding and accelerate technology development. Programs from BARDA (BLUE KNIGHT™ and DRIVe) and JLABS @ Toronto will be introduced and followed by a discussion panel. You will learn from real-world examples about where to start, how to identify the right funding opportunity for your technology, from proof of concept to validation, and how to identify the right accelerator space for your team and venture. You will learn about what to expect from BARDA and JLABS and how to gain access to coaching, professionals-in-residence, and investors. This session aims to stimulate commercial thinking during the research and discovery phase for everyone interested in drug, device and platform development at UofT.

The goal of PRiME's Jump Start series is to provide a comprehensive look into the essential steps involved in development of pre-clinical drugs, devices, and platform technologies. In the series we engage with experts to discuss important considerations to ensure success at each step of the development process.

These workshops are open to all Staff, Trainees and Faculty at UofT.

Panelists

Rachel Rath, Director, BARDA Alliance

Interim Head JLABS @ TMC

Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS

Rachel is the Director of the BARDA Alliance for Johnson & Johnson Innovation, based at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS (JLABS) in Washington, DC and the Interim Head of JLABS @ TMC in Houston, Texas. As BARDA Alliance Director, she is responsible for managing BLUE KNIGHT™, a joint initiative between JLABS and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), which aims to stimulate the innovation and incubation of science and technologies that may improve health security and response by supporting companies focused on public health threats and emerging infectious diseases. Rachel leads the strategic direction, alliance management, and oversight of all operational activities related to the collaboration with BARDA, including managing the sourcing and selection of high potential companies for JLABS locations and developing global programming.
As the Interim Head of JLABS @ TMC, she is responsible for external engagement, innovation sourcing, company onboarding, portfolio management, operational excellence, educational programming and P&L. In this role, she catalyzes and supports the translation of science and technology into valuable solutions for patients and consumers across the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer, and healthtech sectors.

Dozie Amuzie, Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation

JLABS Canada

As Head, Dozie is responsible for external engagement, innovation sourcing, company onboarding, portfolio management, operational excellence, educational programming, and P&L. He catalyzes and supports the translation of science and technology into valuable solutions for patients and consumers across the pharmaceutical, medical device, consumer, and health tech sectors.
Dozie earned a dual Ph.D. in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Toxicological Sciences at Michigan State University and, thereafter, completed a residency in Veterinary Pathology at Michigan State. He also received a D.V.M from University of Nigeria and is a Diplomate with American Board of Toxicology, as well as a Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

Moderators

Lamisa Mizan,
PhD Candidate, Department of Molecular Genetics, UofT
PRiME Associate

Allan Tran
PhD Candidate, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, UofT
PRiME Associate