Hamilton is Canada’s leading health research and educational cluster; a launchpad
for innovative life science research and commercialization.
At the nexus of Ontario’s dynamic $52 billion health care industry, Hamilton possesses
an unmatched network of research-intensive hospitals, leading academic institutions, globally recognized researchers and clinicians, and private-sector companies; more than 35,000 professionals work together to develop and deploy health innovations that are changing lives around the world.
From laboratory bench to market success, Hamilton offers the expertise, talent, funding, resources and assets needed by researchers and clinicians, medical entrepreneurs, early- stage start-ups and multinational giants. Hamilton is anchored by the Canadian HQ of global medical device company (Stryker), the most comprehensive hospital network in Ontario and one of Canada’s leading research hospitals (Hamilton Health Sciences) and Canada’s most research-intensive academic institution and the home of evidence-based medicine (McMaster University).
Working together, succeeding together
Synapse Life Science Consortium, a partnership of key anchor institutions is working together to facilitate leading-edge life science research and accelerate the commercialization of health innovation.
Synapse is a strategic broker, connecting life sciences players from across
the spectrum, leading to powerful collaborations, acting as an advocate and concierge for public and private- sector stakeholders engaging Hamilton’s capabilities and assets. “Hamilton has tremendous strength as a life science hub. There is a collective work ethic and ability to collaborate that brings together the city’s incredible healthcare system and its academic institutions,” said Synapse Chair Dr. Ted Scott.
Making Hamilton Home
A vibrant and dynamic city, Hamilton is recognized as the best place to invest in Ontario, the most diverse economy in Canada and among Ontario’s fastest- growing economies. Hamilton is the fulcrum of a globally renowned health innovation corridor that stretches from Toronto to Buffalo. A gateway to U.S. and global markets, Hamilton provides easy access to North American largest border crossings.
A new 70,000-square-foot cross- dock facility handles time-sensitive cargo, including medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, is next to Canada’s largest overnight express hub, which operates without curfew. An hour’s drive to more than 9 million people, Hamilton is undergoing a cultural renaissance thanks to its emergence as a centre for art, music and culinary talent, beautiful historic architecture and an unmatched range of natural amenities.
“Hamilton Health Sciences is actively working to develop the life sciences cluster in Hamilton, to benefit not only our community but people around the world. HHS researchers are tackling disease prevention, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, on a global scale, and are making an impact on treatment policies and regulations. Our collaboration with IBM is attracting and accelerating technology-enabled health innovation, while PHRI, in partnership with McMaster University, is world renowned for large clinical trials and population studies.” —Rob MacIsaac, President and CEO, Hamilton Health Sciences
“Our ecosystem is both deep and broad. We have everything high-potential companies need in terms of expertise and infrastructure and Synapse brings it all together in a one- stop process,” said Scott. With particular expertise in biomedicine, clinical trials, and digital health, life science innovators are leveraging Hamilton’s $4.8 billion health ecosystem, collaborating with experts to discover, validate and scale novel health technologies.
In Hamilton, collaboration is not just a concept or a goal; it’s a way of life. Synapse embodies Hamilton’s culture of collaboration, bringing key players around a single table to act nimbly and advance common goals. Whether it’s an idea or an obstacle, Synapse brings the community together to broker, engage, negotiate and execute on your behalf.
“Hamilton is already one of the highest impact health research centres of excellence in
the world, and I am sure this will be further strengthened by the Synapse Life Sciences Consortium,” said Dr. Salim Yusuf, a global expert in cardiology and epidemiology and executive director of the world-renowned Population Health Research Institute.
Mitch Wilson, president of Mariner Endosurgery, an early-stage enhanced laparoscopic surgery platform, says Synapse turbo-charges the relationship-building process with key players. “There is a very strong research and investigation push in the hospitals and the broker role Synapse provides is so important in creating and maintaining traction and momentum for a company such as ours. Bringing together hospitals with early-stage start-ups is a very smart model.”
“Over the past few years Synapse and its management have proven crucial in bringing together the academic, civic and healthcare communities in Hamilton to provide one of the most innovative and integrated life sciences organizations in the country. Uniting the breadth of capacity in our outstanding academic and healthcare resources across a seamless spectrum, Synapse is capable of moving our community forward in a united way to make our goals a reality, branding Hamilton, nationally and internationally, as a city with both a heart and a brain.” —Dr. Jack Gauldie, Vice President Research, St Joseph’s Healthcare Distinguished University Professor, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine
Supporting Life Science Entrepreneurs
Hamilton’s hospitals, life science companies and research institutions form an integrated network that is garnering international acclaim. Building on decades of expertise in clinical trials, digital health, and biomedicine, entrepreneurs have the chance to validate their innovations in simulated and real-world clinical environments. Mohawk College’s MEDIC digital access centre and the Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering, the HHS-IBM Innovation Exchange and Advanced Manufacturing (BEAM) are unique to Hamilton. Large research programs at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) and St. Joseph’s Healthcare are critical to validation and achieving regulatory approval for a broad range of innovators.
Compacting timelines and accelerating commercialization is the key to Hamilton’s success. Synapse provides the forum to quickly engage and leverage the full breadth of capabilities required for entrepreneurs to develop, deploy and launch innovative health technologies.
“We are creating immense talent in the healthcare technology space,” said Scott. “The success of Synapse – the talent it generates, the innovation it powers, the problems it solves – will serve the broader interests of Ontario, Canada and the world for generations.”
Stryker Bets $100m on Hamilton
Stryker’s $100-million state- of-the-art headquarters will be the global medical device company’s Canadian hub for distribution, logistics, finance, legal and compliance, regulatory affairs, marketing and human resources. Stryker benefits from, and contributes to Hamilton’s dynamic life science cluster, and the research and discoveries emerging from Synapse partners.
“We have a long history of delivering healthcare in the Hamilton region. With proximity to Pearson, Hamilton airport, the U.S. border and Greater- Toronto-Area highways, it’s a good central location for us.” said Scott MacNair, president of Stryker Canada. “Hamilton
is an innovative health and technology community. We will continue to grow as a business, so being part of a growing community is a perfect fit.”
