[news 2007 - 2008]

Queen’s innovators highlighted at OCE Discovery Day

Event links business, academia and finance sectors

For immediate release

May 5, 2008

KINGSTON, ON – From fuel cells and computer-guided surgical tools to a new centre for nurturing innovation, Kingston’s broad research base will be showcased in Toronto later this month.

Queen’s University, the new Innovation Park and PARTEQ Innovations, as well as university-generated spinoffs will join Ontario institutions, businesses, industry, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists at Discovery Day 2008 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre May 12-13.

Sponsored by the Ontario Centres of Excellence, the event highlights research and innovation across the province and is expected to attract more than 1,500 delegates from across the innovation spectrum. This year’s event puts a special focus on clean technologies, life sciences, energy, digital media and manufacturing.

Energy, workplace injury prevention and solutions for bone and joint disorders will be among the research highlighted in the “Queen’s corner” of the exhibition floor, with displays by Queen’s Fuel Cell Research Centre, Human Mobility Research Centre, and Queen’s Ergonomics Group.

The Faculty of Applied Science will showcase the expertise of its 10 engineering programs and five research centres, with displays including micro gas turbines, power systems on a chip, computer vision systems, tabletop water testers, and prosthetic feet.

The $21 million Innovation Park at Queen’s University will also be on display. The “co-location” facility for academic and industrial research will offer an advance look of its services prior to its official opening in late June.

PARTEQ Innovations will be joined by three of its spinoff companies: ASK Science Products Inc., developer of a patented device used in research and drug development; BKIN Technologies Ltd., specializing in robotic systems for assessing sensorimotor performance; and Xuuk, Inc., developer of long-range eye-trackers for digital media. All are recent recipients of development funding from OCE.

“Discovery Day enables Queen’s OCE-funded researchers to profile their accomplishments to a national audience, and it’s a great opportunity for those researchers who are new to OCE and its programs to highlight their expertise to a broader, more commercially focused audience,” says Randall North, Manager, Business Development for the Ontario Centres of Excellence and Executive in Residence at PARTEQ.

“There’s also tremendous potential here for Kingston-area businesses and industry,” he adds. “Discovery Day provides them with the dual benefit of connecting with the province’s research expertise, as well as the financing resources of OCE and the private venture capital community.”

“This event is important because it enables our innovators to demonstrate the research and commercialization expertise available in the Eastern Ontario region,” says John Molloy, President and CEO of PARTEQ. “For our spinoffs in particular, it’s a good venue for finding potential partners and building business relationships.”

Businesses or entrepreneurs interested in attended Discovery Day still have time to register. They can do so on line at the Discovery Day website:
http://www.ocediscovery.com/

Contact:

Randall North
Business Development Manager, OCE
c/o PARTEQ Innovations
P: 613. 533. 6000 xt. 78355
E: Randall.North@oce-ontario.org