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Vancouver, BC – The University of British Columbia’s School of Biomedical Engineering is proud to announce the launch of a new educational offering, the Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations. This program is designed to empower professionals in the life sciences and biotech sectors with the strategic skills needed to lead innovation and bring groundbreaking healthcare solutions to market.

About the Program:

The UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations equips participants with the crucial skills to navigate the complex intersection of innovation, business, and regulatory frameworks within the life sciences. Developed by leading industry experts, the curriculum emphasizes the practical applications of innovation leadership and intellectual property management. This program complements the strong technical and scientific expertise that participants already possess, bridging the gap to successfully bring medical and bio-innovations to market.

Program Highlights:

  • Industry-Relevant Skills: Focused on the practical legal and strategic skills essential for bringing scientific and technical innovations to market.
  • Networking Opportunities: Learn from and connect with industry experts, including top IP lawyers and healthcare innovators.
  • Interdisciplinary Learning: Understand the legal, regulatory, and market landscapes affecting the development, implementation, and commercialization of healthcare solutions.

Value to Participants:

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of how to identify and address unmet medical needs, implement effective intellectual property strategies, and lead innovation projects within their organizations. The program is specifically tailored to foster leadership skills that are critical for advancing career trajectories in the fast-evolving biotech and life sciences industries. While attendees come with core technical and scientific expertise, this program provides the context, knowledge, and strategy to move these skills up the value chain towards products that have significant health impacts.

Dr. Peter Zandstra, Director of UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering, emphasized the program’s significance: “Our new Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations exemplifies SBME’s dedication to advancing healthcare. This program equips professionals with the skills needed to transform research and innovative ideas into practical, market-ready solutions, fostering a new generation of leaders who can make biomedical research impactful in the real-world.”

Wendy Hurlburt, President and CEO of Life Sciences BC, added: “The launch of this program is an important moment for the life sciences ecosystem in British Columbia. As the industry continues to grow, the need for skilled leaders who can drive innovation and bring new healthcare solutions to market is more critical than ever. SBME’s micro-certificate will go a long way in addressing this need and support the ongoing development of our bioeconomy.”

Ali Ardakani, Founder and Managing Director at Novateur Ventures Inc., stated: “Navigating the complexities of intellectual property is critical for innovation in the biotech sector. This program provides essential knowledge and skills that empower professionals to protect their innovations and leverage IP strategically for business success. I am honored to contribute to this initiative and look forward to seeing the impact it will have on fostering innovation leaders.”

Milica Vukmirovic, Innovation, Strategy & Business Development Advisor at Novateur Ventures, added: “Mastering the creation of new intellectual property and strategies for innovation within academia and the biotech sector is essential for the successful development of cutting-edge technologies, new ventures, and robust industry-academia partnerships. I am thrilled to be involved in this course, which unites experts and learners to cultivate the next generation of Canadian innovators.”

Jon Jafari, entrepreneurship@UBC Entrepreneur in Residence and Lead of the Human Health Venture Studio, added: “Understanding and addressing unmet needs in healthcare is pivotal for driving meaningful innovation. This program equips professionals with the tools to identify critical gaps in healthcare and develop strategies to address them, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and successful healthcare solutions.”

Enrolment Information:

Enrolment for the UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations is now open. Professionals interested in taking their career to the next level in the life sciences sector are encouraged to register.

For more information about the program and how to register, please visit UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations.

For more information about the program, join our information session on June 26 to learn more about the UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical & Bio-Innovations. https://extendedlearning.ubc.ca/courses/ubc-micro-certificate-innovation-leadership-medical-bio-innovations-information-session/0406.