This annual competition provides SickKids researchers with targeted funding and strategic support to advance promising discoveries toward commercialization. By helping to de-risk early-stage projects, the program aims to attract investment, enable partnerships, and lay the groundwork for future life science ventures.

On October 7, 2026, finalists presented their proposals in a Dragon’s Den–style Pitch Day, where an expert panel of commercial and scientific reviewers evaluated each project’s innovation, feasibility, and potential for real-world impact.

After a highly competitive process, the following researchers were selected as this year’s recipients:

Dr. Lynne Howell | Senior Scientist, Molecular Medicine: In Silico Designed Hydrolases for the Treatment of Biofilm Infections

Dr. Jayne Danska | Senior Scientist, Genetics & Genome Biology: Bacterial Antibody Biomarkers for Prediction and Immunotherapeutic Optimization in Type 1 Diabetes

Dr. Maryse Bouchard  | Head, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery: A Virtual Foot Model for Optimizing Surgical Planning and Patient Outcomes

Adam Waspe  | Senior Project Investigator, Neurology: OPUS – Optically Pumped Magnetometers Combined with Focused Ultrasound Transducers for Precision Neuroimaging and Neuromodulation

These projects demonstrate the ingenuity and translational excellence that fuel innovation at SickKids. Stay tuned for more success stories as IP&C continues to accelerate SickKids innovations from discovery to impact.

IP&C’s Proof of Principle (PoP) Grant Competition helps SickKids researchers bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. By providing funding, guidance, and access to IP&C’s commercialization expertise, the competition supports innovations that have the potential to transform healthcare through partnership, licensing, or start-up creation.