MGH Foundation announces a $2M donation from National Bank of Canada

Montreal, September 14, 2021 – The Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF) and the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) are proud to announce a $2 million donation from National Bank of Canada. This financial contribution will support the launch of the new Clinical Innovation Platform (CLIP), a unique health technology incubator based at the Montreal General Hospital (MGH-MUHC).

The mission of CLIP is to support innovative solutions to unmet clinical needs and accelerate the adoption of technologies into the market and healthcare system. CLIP’s hospital-based ecosystem will facilitate unprecedented access to clinical facilities, expertise, and research labs to validate technologies in a real health care environment. With proximity to clinics, operating rooms, laboratories, and pre-clinical facilities, this new incubator allows members to network and take full advantage of resources at the RI-MUHC. CLIP is tailored to specifically aid the validation, development, commercialization, and growth of innovation in medical technology.

“Our vision with CLIP was to address unmet clinical needs identified by clinicians and solve them by technology, in partnership with engineers. The opening of CLIP today is the culmination of that dream that we’ve had for many years. CLIP is an environment where clinicians, engineers and entrepreneurs can interact and collaborate to improve the care of our patients,” said Dr. Gerald Fried, Clinical Director of CLIP and Dr Jake Barralet, Scientific Director of CLIP.

"While the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) often expresses its commitment to excellence and innovation, such leadership relies on three key elements, notably talented people, exceptional partners and health technology incubators such as the Clinical Innovation Platform," said Dr. Pierre Gfeller, MUHC President and Executive Director. “I am delighted that today's announcement not only highlights the presence of these elements, but also the potential impact of the CLIP’s implementation for our patients and their families.”

“I am delighted to start my tenure as head of the RI-MUHC with this unique initiative. The pandemic has proven that innovation and multidisciplinary collaboration are vital. I am impressed and excited to see such strong support coming from the community towards research and innovation in Montreal. CLIP would not be possible without philanthropy or without the support of National Bank. Thank you for believing in us!” said Dr. Rhian Touyz, Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the RI-MUHC.

“National Bank of Canada is proud to support our healthcare institutions as well as our entrepreneurs. We are very grateful to Drs. Fried and Barralet and to the MGHF for this partnership opportunity to help medtech entrepreneurs improve healthcare through innovation,” said Louis Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer at National Bank.

“Creation of the Clinical Innovation Platform was made possible by a federal Strategic Infrastructure Fund grant and matching funds from the MGHF. We are very grateful now to partner with National Bank, who have provided generous funding for health care start-ups to benefit from the Clinical Innovation Platform so they can develop their ideas, protect their intellectual property, establish a pathway for regulatory approval, build prototypes and validate their technology. We are also grateful to Marika Roy, the Dobson Foundation and the Birks Family Foundation who have believed in this vision and supported us so generously,” said Jean-Guy Gourdeau, President & CEO of the Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF).

Researchers, trainees and start-ups interested in learning more about the opportunities CLIP can provide are encouraged to visit https://clinicalinnovation.ca for more information.

About the Montreal General Hospital Foundation

Since 1973, the Montreal General Hospital Foundation (MGHF) has played a key role within the Montreal General Hospital (MGH) and the McGill University Health Centre as a proud sponsor of significant medical R&D and technology development and acquisition. The MGHF now manages the third largest healthcare fund in Quebec, with $180 million in assets. In accordance with the wishes of donors, the funds raised by the MGHF go toward supporting patient care, research programs, acquiring cutting-edge equipment, and helping medical teams with their priority needs. Its leadership and strong relationships with the healthcare community have made the MGHF a sound advisor for donors as to where funds are most needed and can have the greatest impact. Visit: Codelife.ca

About the RI-MUHC

The mission of the RI-MUHC is to generate and leverage discovery and innovation to establish the MUHC as a world-class centre of excellence in patient-centred medicine. Excellence in clinical, evaluative and fundamental research will bring the innovations that will transform health care, providing an integrated view of disease and patient information with related therapies. Visit: rimuhc.ca

Media contact:

Sylvie Riendeau
Vice-présidente, Marketing & Communication
Montreal General Hospital Foundation
sriendeau [at] mghfoundation.com
Cell. : 514-575-1591

CODE LIFE INTERVIEWS: INNOVATION : Join host Annie deMelt for a discussion of the importance of innovation at the RI-MUHC and CLIP. (YouTube, Interviews begin at 19:25)