TIAP Launches Next Generation Program to Support Early-Stage Drug Development
LAB150-NextGen to offer up to $1.6M USD per project to advance new drug candidates
May 20, 2025
Building on the success of TIAP’s LAB150 Program, we are pleased to announce a new iteration of the program — LAB150-NextGen to support the advancement and commercialization of drug development projects and technologies within TIAP’s member academic institutions.
TIAP’s mission is to transform Ontario’s leading research enterprise into successful commercial ventures and new innovations impacting human health — and the most critical part of doing so is developing novel technologies on which we can build homegrown life sciences companies. With this mission firmly in mind, LAB150-NextGen is being launched with the twin goals of developing new drug candidates and creating new Ontario-based therapeutics companies.
TIAP Director of Venture and Technology Development, Dr. Phil Goldbach commented, “We are excited to introduce this new and improved version of the Program to our ecosystem. Since LAB150 was first launched in 2017, it has led to the successful advancement of a number of novel drug candidates, and we’re now poised to build on that track record and bring even greater value to the innovators and entrepreneurs in our ecosystem.”
To realize its goals, the Program is offering up to $1.6M USD in milestone-based funding, split into two stages: up to $400K USD towards discovery of developable molecules with clear target engagement, and up to an additional $1.2M USD towards generation of lead molecules with in vivo proof-of-concept. Work is expected to be split between academic labs and industry-grade contract research organizations (CROs), with TIAP acting as project manager for the co-development and execution of a drug development R&D plan with strong commercial potential. All intellectual property is to be assigned to the investigator’s research institution, which must be part of TIAP’s membership.
For full LAB150-NextGen Program guidelines and application, please visit the LAB15-NEXTGEN PROGRAM PAGE HERE.
The deadline for the initial intake period is June 30, 2025.
About TIAP
Since 2008, TIAP has been building relationships with innovators and entrepreneurs at Toronto’s top universities, hospitals and research institutes to identify the most exciting sparks of ground-breaking therapeutic, medical device and digital health/AI innovation; and then providing the tools, resources, and know-how to transform this work into successful commercial ventures. With a 15-year track record that includes the launch of more than 70 new companies, the raising of over $1B in private investment, and the creation of more than 1,000 jobs, TIAP has generated significant commercial and social return on our Member Institutions’ research — making a measurable impact on the growth of the Ontario life sciences sector and a significant contribution to Canada’s economic prosperity. TIAP is partially supported through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
Contact:
Dr. Phil Goldbach
Director, Technology and Venture Development
LAB150@tiap.ca