Synapse Life Science Consortium and Capital BioVentures join the growing network, making it easier for life sciences companies to access the expertise, programs and resources they need to grow.
TORONTO, October 27, 2026 – In its first year, Life Sciences Central received 250 applications from Ontario life sciences companies, from early-stage startups to high-potential companies preparing to scale, seeking help bringing their discoveries to market. It accepted more than 130 into its programming. Marking its first anniversary, Life Sciences Central also announced that Synapse Life Science Consortium and Capital BioVentures are joining its growing network of partners.
Ontario has world-class health research, talent and organizations needed to build globally competitive life sciences companies. But support for founders is spread across many organizations and programs and finding the right entry point takes time away from the work of building a company.
Launched in October 2025, Life Sciences Central helps Ontario life sciences companies navigate the support ecosystem and find the expertise programs and connections they need to advance their businesses. Through coordinated referrals, the network connects founders with the commercialization expertise, investor networks, lab space, talent and market intelligence suited to their stage of growth. Early-stage companies are directed to the right resources and programming, while high-potential companies with validated science and strong early traction receive more targeted support to prepare for growth.
“Ontario doesn’t have a shortage of strong science or organizations working to support it. The challenge for founders is knowing where to turn and how to get the right support at the right time. Life Sciences Central is helping address that gap by connecting companies with the programs and expertise they need to move forward. As the network grows, we also need to help founders navigate the capital they need to bring their innovations to market.” — Grace Lee Reynolds, CEO, MaRS Discovery District
In the first year, Life Sciences Central:
More than 130 additional life science companies across therapeutics, medical technology, diagnostics, digital health and consumer health joined the Life Science Central network.
Conducted more than 150 intake screen calls to assess company needs and identify relevant support.
Connected companies with partner programs and fast-tracked eligible companies into the MaRS Capital Program, OBIO® Capital Access Advisory Program (CAAP), OBIO® Women in Health Initiative (WiHI) Seed Program and TIAP Venture Builder, subject to each program’s eligibility requirements and funding availability.
Delivered six new commercialization workshops, each attracting twenty to sixty participants.
Connected Ontario companies to global investors and partners through joint delegations to the J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference, the BIO International Convention and the HLTH Conference.
“Strong life sciences companies need more than great science. They need coordinated support to navigate commercialization, build their businesses and become investment-ready. Life Sciences Central is bringing organizations together around those needs and expanding the network will help us reach more companies across Ontario.” — Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO, OBIO®.
In its second year, Life Sciences Central will continue to expand the network and connect companies with support suited to their stage of growth, from identifying resources and reaching commercialization milestones to preparing for investment and scaling their business.
The addition of Synapse Life Sciences Consortium and Capital BioVentures, joins our network partners, marks Life Sciences Central’s evolution from a joint initiative to a growing network with regional reach across the greater Hamilton area, Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
Access to capital remains an important part of that support. At today’s anniversary event at MaRS Centre, founders and ecosystem partners will explore emerging financing models and how to broaden funding options for Ontario life sciences companies. The event will also showcase companies supported through Life Sciences Central.
Life sciences companies can learn more and apply to join Life Sciences Central at lifesciencescentral.ca.
About Life Sciences Central
Life Sciences Central is a joint platform launched by MaRS Discovery District, OBIO® and TIAP to help Ontario-based life sciences companies scale and succeed. The network consolidates access to advisory support, funding, infrastructure and talent, building a stronger more connected innovation ecosystem across the province. For more information visit lifesciencescentral.ca.
About MaRS Discovery District
MaRS Discovery District is a charitable organization and North America’s largest urban innovation hub dedicated to helping Canadian technology companies succeed. With a focus on climate, health sciences and other emerging technologies, MaRS supports startups tackling some of the world’s most pressing issues. MaRS spans more than 1.5 million square feet of cutting-edge office, lab, meeting and event space in downtown Toronto. MaRS has helped ventures generate $11.5 billion in cumulative revenue, raise $19 billion in funding, and create and maintain more than 33,000 jobs. The MaRS platform also includes MaRS IAF, one of Canada’s top seed-stage venture funds. Through its world-class facilities, strategic programs and partnerships, MaRS accelerates the adoption of groundbreaking Canadian technology and bolsters a globally competitive innovation ecosystem. For more information visit marsdd.com and follow MaRS on LinkedIn.
About OBIO®
Founded in 2009, OBIO® is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to address the needs of the next generation of companies developing innovative human health products. OBIO® supports early-stage and venture-backed life sciences and health tech companies enabling them to raise capital, hire and train industry-ready talent, facilitate the commercialization and market adoption of their technologies in health systems, and access infrastructure. OBIO® advances this goal through collaborative partnerships with industry, the investment community, academia, the healthcare system and government. For more information, please visit obio.ca and follow OBIO® on LinkedIn and X.
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 80 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. For more information on TIAP, please visit tiap.ca and follow us on LinkedIn.