DRI-enabled research improves the health and quality of life of Ontarians

Researchers use advanced computational methods, AI and machine learning to generate breakthroughs in areas that directly impact our health and well-being. In the past five years, these have included:

• Improving patient care and reducing health-care costs by developing a process to perform thousands of diagnostic tests in a single hour from a drop of blood

• Creating new methods  for treating cancer by transforming drug delivery and screening

• Improving road safety by modelling crash and impact scenarios that reduce injuries

• Ensuring the health and safety of Ontario’s food supply

• Informing the Ontario Science Advisory Table regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, better preparing Canada for future pandemics 

• Enabling the development of an anti-cancer vaccine program for earlier detection of cancer, reducing costs and improving patient outcomes

• Producing innovative materials that can reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency in automobiles and aircraft, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Ontario’s publicly funded DRI-ecosystem generates significant economic impacts by supporting the creation of high-tech businesses, product development and innovation, and new industry-academic collaborations. Together, these lead to the creation of new jobs, an influx of talent and additional investment into the province, economic growth and industry success. In the past 5 years in Ontario, shared DRI has led to:

• an estimated 300 new high-tech companies in Ontario 

• 530 patent applications and patents pending in sectors such as drug discovery, advanced materials and manufacturing, transportation, building and city design, and climate change. 

• 900+ Academic-Industry collaborations