Ontario Genomics’ Regional GAPP:
Fuelling Ontario’s Next Generation of Biotech Spinouts
Ontario Genomics is launching our Regional Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) to accelerate the commercialization of academic discoveries into made-in-Ontario biotech solutions.
Ontario is home to world-class researchers and institutions producing groundbreaking discoveries, yet many of them fail to progress beyond the lab. That’s because spinout companies (formed to commercialize academic intellectual property) that bring these innovations to market are often stifled by insufficient access to capital, long commercialization timelines and limited business expertise.
Ontario Genomics’ Regional GAPP is addressing these challenges by supporting spinouts at this critical lab-to-company technology transfer stage, facilitating R&D capacity, independence from academia and positioning them for seed financing. The end results will fuel job creation, company retention, IP generation and attract foreign investment, while reinforcing Ontario’s economic resilience and global reputation in genomics innovation.
In support of the Canadian Genomics Strategy, and as part of their broader GAPP initiative, Genome Canada has provided $4 million over four years to the Ontario Genomics Regional GAPP. The Ontario Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) has committed to match the Genome Canada contribution through the Ontario Research Fund (ORF) for the 2025 round, pending Ministry’s approval of projects.
Program Objectives:
- Accelerate/facilitate translation of products, platforms or IP from an academic lab into a company in support of commercialization, company benefits, Ontario’s economy and made-in-Ontario IP.
- Position early-stage Ontario companies to raise follow-on funding at project end.
- Develop business acumen in post-graduate trainees to build a pool of highly qualified personnel (HQP) to lead the next wave of biotech companies in Ontario.
- Position Ontario as a hub for the creation, growth and scaling of biotech innovation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The genomics-based/enabled project supports the invention, development or commercialization of a biotech innovation with a clearly articulated market opportunity.
- The project is driven by a spinout company in partnership with an Ontario-based researcher and will facilitate translation of IP from academia into the commercialization pathway.
- The spinout company is incorporated, Canadian-owned, and based in Ontario.
- The spinout company stage is pre-seed or earlier.
- The spinout company has at least two employees (including executives). If the lead project researcher is also the CEO, the company’s governance board must have at least one additional member.
- The project has the potential to generate social and economic benefits for the company and Ontario.
If you meet the above criteria, please fill out this intake form.
Funding and Term:
- The project term is 1-2 years (no extensions).
- Four projects will be funded per year.
- Project budget will be a minimum of $667,734:
- $222,578 from Genome Canada
- $222,578 from MCURES/ORF (conditions apply – see Program Guide for details)
- ≥$222,578 from the private sector (cash or in-kind)