U of T Technology & Startup Explorer

HDAC6 plays an important role in neurological, inflammatory, and other diseases; and thus is an important target for therapeutic intervention.  To date, there are no FDA-approved HDAC6-targeting drugs and most pipeline candidates suffer from poor target engagement, inadequate brain penetration, and low tolerability. There are five HDAC6 clinical candidates for the treatment of mostly non-CNS cancers as their pharmacokinetic liabilities exclude them from targeting HDAC6-implicated neurological diseases, urging for the development to address these challenges. They also demonstrate off-target toxicity due to limited selectivity, leading to adverse effects in patients. Selective inhibitors have thus been the focus of development over the past decade, though no selective and potent HDAC6 inhibitor has yet been approved to date.

Scalable, portable diagnostics for bacteria detection, molecular diagnostics, and immunoassays through microchip-based optical, electrochemical, ion, pH, and temperature measurements.

Obesity has increased to pandemic levels and is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease and cancer.  While the most effective means to reduce weight is healthy eating and exercise, adherence to these recommendations are a challenge, especially in individuals with a high body weight or BMI >30.  Alternatives to these solutions include anti-obesity therapeutics and supplements. Limited therapeutic options are approved by the FDA, such as Glp-1R agonists, but they are restricted to high BMI patients, are costly for insurers/individuals, have limited efficacy or have unpleasant side effects. Similarly, several supplements are available, but none are regarded as being efficacious unless combined with diet and exercise.  Consequently, an unmet need in effective weight loss management exists especially for those individuals in the BMI range of 25 – 32 who want to lose a few pounds to avoid the progression towards metabolic disease without altering their current lifestyle.

This technology includes a suite of inventions, including a fully-functional coded-exposure-pixel (CEP) camera prototype, a novel programmable CMOS sensor, and a method for adaptive adjustment of exposure of every pixel, based on changes in the brightness of the scene for that pixel to extend dynamic range at native sensor resolution.

Hippocamera is a memory augmentation technology that aides in the recall and storage of memories. The technology features novel methods to tag and replay recorded moments to promote rich reliving and storage of experiences.

JALI provides products and services for the complete automation of high-end lip sync and facial animation for ultimate animator directorial control.

A DCE-MRI acquisition and reconstruction package that enables more accurate quantification of physiological parameters in larger volumes than any state-of-the-art method. By first performing a high-temporal (rapid), high spatial (hifi) acquisition of anatomical details in the image set, each time frame is reconstructed with a high degree of precision and accuracy.

Parasitic nematodes are a major problem in agriculture where their infection of livestock and parasitization of plants are a threat to food security and result in billions of dollars of lost productivity.  Several classes of nematicides, compounds that are toxic to nematodes, have been approved and successfully integrated into the food generation process.  However, two problems with current nematicides are increasing resistance to their effects and serious concerns with their environmental impact, the latter of which has led to withdrawal of commercially successful nematicides from general use. Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered two small molecule scaffolds for potential use as nematicides in agricultural applications. 

Plant parasitic nematodes are microscopic worms that impose a severe economic burden on the agricultural industry.  To curtail their effects, chemical agents that reduce the fitness of nematodes, called nematicides, have become widespread throughout the world.  However, the ecological toxicity and human safety of these chemicals has posed a problem and resulted in bans to some of the most used nematicides. Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed the first bioactivatable nematicides. 

Bio-inspired microfluidic layers for switchable window shading.

The invention is for a new power electronic converter topology suitable for modularly configured solar photovoltaic or battery storage applications

an optical atomic clock that is both precise enough to detect gravitational waves, and compact and portable enough that it could be put on a satellite. The clock design makes use of a “two-photon transition” in calcium atoms.

This invention is a platform to improve the functionality of the conventional surface plasmon resonance-based sensors.

This invention is a system that presents an original contribution in the form of a knowledge base implemented as an Web Ontology Language (OWL). This system also combines customized wayfinding and recommender systems to support this knowledge base and automate the communication process.

A clinically-relevant stimulation system can induce directed migration (translocation) of neural precursor cells using asymmetric balanced biphasic electric fields.

This invention builds around an online system/service that tries to leverage advancements in Building Information Models (BIM), energy-efficiency simulation tools and online social network analysis methods to enable a data-driven approach to building design, planning, construction and maintenance.

CrossShade allows the creation of 3D-looking shaded production drawings from initial concept sketches.

The technology uses a combination of sensor information, such as the accelerometer and gyroscope (e.g. from mobile phones or wearable inertial sensors), in addition to WiFi signal strength, to build a system that can achieve accurate location estimation technique for indoor environment.

Based on thermal and optical sensing analysis of digital imaging, this technology allows for rapid measurement of photoplethysmogram (PPG), temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate beyond conventional distance limitations (e.g. at distances more than 1m), with the ability to add other components (e.g. tissue oxygenation and blood pressure) in the future

iTest is a turn-key and modular software and hardware platform for testing physical motors remotely over the Internet.

Logic for relays that can be used to significantly improve the cyber-resiliency of communication-assisted protection schemes.

Monte Carlo Lights is a novel ATSC approach that combines state-of-the-art reinforcement learning and Monte Carlo tree search to optimize traffic flow.

The technology combines novel filters and a convolutional neural network model to automatically learn what kind of data will make an algorithm produce inaccurate results.

Rhea is a rehabilitation platform and startup grounded in science that active recovery to heal and care for the brain.

Molecular and hardware technologies for automated production and purification of protein-based products.

PhenoTips is a B2B digital health spinout from U of T and SickKids, helping healthcare systems prepare for a future when genetics is a critical part of every patient's routine care. Healthcare workers use PhenoTips through their existing EHRs to manage critical data for genomic medicine,

ODAIA is business intelligence software that enables organizations to understand, predict, and optimize their customer's journeys. The technology leverages AI to facilitate the exploration, analysis, summarization, and optimization of a customer's journey, from awareness to purchase.

This technology is an optimized version of the Ring-Learning-With-Errors (RLWE) Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) system. This proprietary system maintains encrypted data privacy of communications while still allowing cloud operations to be carried out on the encrypted data, such as Secure Search and Spam-Filter Applications.

This opportunity is a portfolio of hardware and software techniques that seamlessly accelerate AI/ML applications, while saving on-chip and off-chip memory, bandwidth, and processing power. These compute and compression methods have been shown to deliver a 3x boost in processing speed with 2x-4x increase in storage capabilities (up to 10x for natural language processing).

High-performance software solutions and advanced algorithms for cryo-EM data processing.

AutoScribe uses hands-free speech recognition and Artificial Intelligence to help reduce time consuming manual clinical documentation, freeing clinicians to place their focus where it should be – on their patients.

The platform allows for clinical-grade data analysis from wearable sensors (e.g. smartwatches, mobile devices) through proprietary machine learning (ML)-based algorithms that extract clinically relevant data and filter out unreliable sensor data. This platform can provide real-time feedback on patient health, generate more accurate predictions, and enable actionable insights and recommendations to improve care.

Invasive and non-invasive hardware and software for vital signs monitoring

Treatment of overactive bladder and other disorders via non-invasive electrical neurostimulation.

Toronto Annotation Suite (TORAS) is a web-based AI-powered annotation platform.

A software platform that leverages statistical inference and machine learning to make more informed decisions.

A method and model for simulating general multi-phase network growth, inspired by the simplified, stepwise behaviours of a unicellular slime mould.

Machine-learning based methods to improve traffic flow through adaptive signal control.

Quantum-proof cybersecurity products and enabling technologies for the Quantum Internet. These technologies offer quantum-safe communication products ready for today's infrastructure, while building key components of the Quantum Internet, including Quantum Repeaters, Quantum Communication Protocols, and Quantum Network Simulators.

ServiceMiner is a process mining solution that uses event data and machine learning to automate the representation, analysis, and optimization of business processes. This enables better allocation of resources, increased productivity, and reduced costs in service systems.

A method to extract, assess, and visualize information from electroencephalography (EEG) readings.

Electronic Systems for Monitoring, Diagnosis, and Control of Physiological Disorders

Centivizer is a modular system that physically, cognitively, and socially stimulates individuals with dementia by providing self-initiated, reward-based activities that can be used 24/7 without needing caregiver support.

BinPro combines static analysis, graph matching and ML to detect and mitigate the threat of maliciously inserted backdoors by conducting binary source code audits.

The two inventions captured in this technology allow for the representation, learning, and interactive editing of color palettes through a novel interface for creating color themes.

This invention enables inverter interfaces of renewable energy sources to generate significantly larger active and reactive currents during LVRT conditions. The increase in the active and reactive powers reaches up to 100% and 15% of the maximum power generated by existing methods, respectively. This would make power systems substantially more resilient during disturbances, reducing the risk of grid instability and blackouts.

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Parkinson’s disease is a disabling and progressive neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. Current therapies to replace dopamine are only symptomatic and are associated with considerable complications as the disease progresses. No disease-modifying therapies that slow or stop disease progression are available or likely to emerge soon. With Parkinson’s disease affecting over 6 million people worldwide and being the fastest growing neurological disease, this is a huge unmet need in neurodegeneration.

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Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), comprising Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic, recurrent mucosal inflammation of the digestive tract. Current treatments come with considerable side effects, are very expensive, and only work in ~50% of patients. Despite recent advances, IBD continues to rise in incidence, burdening our health care system, thereby emphasizing the need to find more effective therapies to treat these diseases.

TECHNOLOGY

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Self-Micro Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SMEDDS) is an advanced lipid-based delivery system composed of an isotropic mixture of surfactants and oils that rapidly and spontaneously assemble into microemulsions (5-150 nm) upon exposure to water with a gentle agitation.  These features enable enhanced delivery and quick absorption of hydrophobic bioactive compound through gastrointestinal tract and epithelial tissues.  SMEDDS are easy to manufacture, offer high loading capacities, and have a long shelf life.

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The vast majority of energy consumed by the human population is derived from burning fossil fuels because of their abundance and remarkably high energy density. The new catalytic supports prepared by Dr. Ozin’s lab offer a large improvement in yield of the gaseous process at ambient conditions, together with the discovery of both photochemical and photothermal activation in the system. This process resulted in a bold vision of a large scale photocatalytic energy plant, using sunlight to power the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to form natural gas and oxygen.

This invention is a novel indium-based photocatalyst that is capable of reducing CO2 (carbon dioxide) into CO (carbon monoxide). Currently there are 5.5 billion metric tons of CO2 produced annually with 2 billion tons consumed worldwide. CO2 emissions account for 82% of all US greenhouse gas emissions. The market for CO2 sequestration consists of a spectrum of offerings through either storage or recycling. Discovering a material capable of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is a crucial step for the solar fuels economy.

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INTRODUCTION

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This device is a composite transdermal microneedle patch comprising a microneedle array and embedded microgel particles.  The microparticles are made from three types of monomers – one provides glucose-responsive volume change, one for stabilizing native glucagon, and one for facilitating glucagon encapsulation. After the microneedle patch is applied, the microneedles penetrate the skin, swell quickly in the interstitial fluid, and enable the microgels in contact with the fluid and glucose.

To date, pathogenic examination of SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA using RT-PCR is considered the gold standard method for diagnosis. However, this test is accompanied with high false negative rate mainly due to the difficulty of sampling. In addition, application of this test to screen suspected patients is currently limited by the lack of sufficient supply of experimental reagents, facilities and well-trained operators in many countries. Serological test of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 virus in patients is a complementary approach.

Covid19 update: This material may be an effective antiviral compound against certain types of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. The researchers are looking to rapidly put together a very quick testing plan to incorporate the filler in polymer meshes for the deactivation of viruses on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like masks. Contact of the PPE material with airborne droplets would trigger a release of drug into the droplet, destroying viruses contained within and decreasing the risk of infection during mask handling/removal.

The Recombinant Antibody Network (RAN) is a multi-institutional research consortium (member institutions: The University of Toronto, University of California San Francisco and The University of Chicago) created accelerate the identification and development of recombinant antibodies raised against valuable and challenging targets to support drug development and cutting edge biomedical research.  The RAN was founded by three ex-Genentech antibody engineers.  To date the team has screened and validated over 880 antibodies, some of which are now availab

Our researchers have developed a new strategy to overcome the drug resistance often faced during the treatment of CLL by inhibiting the TNFR family signalling through inhibition of a kinase, PKN1, which is involved in TRAF1 regulation. TRAF1 is overexpressed in 48% of B cell related cancers with highest expression in mature B cell lymphomas and the most refractory B-CLL. Thus targeting TRAF1 in human CLL has the potential to improve the disease outcome. Non-coding single nucleotide polymorphisms in TRAF1 have also been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The focus of this technology has been to develop a versatile diagnostic system by using quantum dot barcoding technology in combination with the engineering of a detecting and processing device. This device is proposed to extract, amplify, detect, and database the results, which has been made achievable by the use of innovative engineering approach to assemble each function into a disposable cartridge system. The cartridge system also contains tablets of reagents with known concentrations, so that the device can be portable without the need for refrigeration or unique storage.

The focus of this technology has been to develop an automated portable device that can extract, amplify, detect, & database the results.  This was made possible by the use of innovative engineering approach to assemble each function into a disposable cartridge system. This cartridge system also contains tablets of reagents with known concentrations, so that the device can be portable without the need for refrigeration or unique storage. The detection is then identified by a smartphone camera & databased on a software App.

OPPORTUNITY

Our researchers have developed a novel culture substrate combination that robustly supports human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) proliferation and pluripotency in chemically defined conditions. hPSCs grown on this novel substrate culture display higher proliferation rates and pluripotency marker expression than current gold-standard culture substrates Geltrex- and vitronectin-coated plastic.

Our researchers have developed an in vitro stem cell mediated skeletal muscle repair platform referred to as “MEndR” (Muscle Endogenous Repair), that accurately recapitulates the timing of key phases of the stem cell (SC) mediated skeletal muscle repair process in a dish (SC-expansion, SC cell cycle exit, SC nascent fiber formation, fiber maturation).

Boron-containing compounds play an indispensable role in biological and organic chemistry, functioning as intermediates, catalysts and biological probes. The success of several boron-based medicines further emphasizes the potential of incorporating boron into therapeutic agents. Such agents typically contain a considerable number of heteroatoms, thus the development of technologies that introduce boron into these environments are growing in demand.

Tissue-material interactions govern the efficacy of biomedical devices implanted in the body. Protein adsorption that occurs on a biomaterial surface influences cell action on those surfaces in vitro and in vivo, including but not limited to the innate immune response cells (neutrophils ,monocytes and macrophages) which are essential in driving the body's early response to a b1omaterial, and other cells such as endothelial cells, fibroblast, smooth muscle cells, stem cells, etc.

This technology relates to a novel method to discover receptors for extracellular proteins in an unbiased fashion. The approach is based on a simple concept: bacterial exotoxin, when fused to a secreted protein, intoxicates cells in a receptor-dependent manner, which facilitates the identification of the cognate receptor through genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9-based positive selection screen.

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Our researchers have developed a novel method that uses proprietary composition of stabilized multifunctional nanoparticles in combination with photodynamic activation to obtain durable and more effective endodontic treatments (root canal therapy). The use of a natural biopolymer allows a better integration into the dentin host tissue, and the production of anti-microbial activity similar to natural dentin.

Our scientists have engineered a new nucleic acid sensor, based on CRISPR technology, that is cell-free and can be rationally designed for broad applications in portable diagnostics, in sensing and in biotechnology. This novel, portable nucleic acid sensing platform uses a CRISPR technology that, unlike previous technologies, can be deployed outside of the lab without pre-packaged RNA inputs, and can generate multiplexed signals in any reporter mode (e.g. colorimetric, electrochemical, enzymatic, fluorescent).

This invention is a novel formulation for biocompatible microemulsions for use as delivery vehicles for active ingredients in transdermal, topical and oral delivery. The formulation is based on five basic ingredients: lecithin (extracted from soybean or other source); a lipophilic additive such as long change alcohol or long chain fatty acid, monoglyceride, or sorbitol ester; a hydrophilic additive containing C6-C9 fatty acids partially saponified; a C8-C20 fatty acid ester; and water.

Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics is one of the fastest growing research themes. Simple, cost-effective, and rapid POCs are important to clinicians to make quick and appropriate treatment decisions. This project combines two technologies to create a biosensor that can detect genetic targets, and be further exploited in POC devices. The technology lies on an enzymatic reaction that displays a colorimetric change when specific genetic targets are recognized. This detection strategy is a simple 1- to 2-step assay, low cost, with a better sensitivity than the standard diagnostic technique ELISA.

Complex multi-protein clusters play vital roles in many aspects of biology. Deregulation of these clusters may lead to several human diseases including cancer, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. This technology uses a bait (protein of interest) - prey (candidate molecules) system to detect and identify novel interacting partners in a mammalian genetic system. Dr Stagljar has built upon his initial patented Membrane Yeast Two-Hybrid (MYTH) invention to propose a unique platform to discover new target molecules for research and drug development purposes.

This technology is a platform for creating new material systems for use in the electronic, optical sensor or other industries. Researchers in the lab of Dr. Eugenia Kumacheva have developed self-assembly spherical polymer particles which can store a variety of additives such as dyes or other functional agents in either the spherical core or the surrounding polymer matrix. It has been shown that it is possible to imbed semiconductor or inorganic particles in the polymer system to create a self-organized periodic array of active nanoparticles such as quantum dots.

Protein phosphorylation is major molecular mechanism through which protein function is regulated in response to extracellular stimuli, it often acts as a switch to proteins' activation and is frequently perturbed in diseases. Currently there are a number of commercialized techniques to detect phospho-proteins, however none of them offers information about the relative spatial arrangement of phosphorylated residues. In biological systems, the extent of phosphorylation of a target is often associated different physiological response and disease state.

A group in the Department of Chemistry at U of T is developing multiple continuous microfluidic reactors and a process to scale up the synthesis of polymer particles.The target is to produce micro-beads with a narrow size distribution in the range from 10 to 500 microns, well defined structure and high conversion of monomer to polymer efficiency.

Cancer cells produce and break down proteins more rapidly than normal cells, and are more sensitive to changes in the regulation of processes involving proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main protein process that governs protein recycling in cells, and is overactive in many cancers such as leukemia and multiple myeloma. The proteasome is a large protein analogous to the recycling plant of the cell, and inhibition of the UPS with proteasome inhibitors, such as Velcade (bortezomib), results in effective cancer cell death due to the accumulation of undigested proteins.

Over 234 million surgical operations are performed worldwide each year. General anesthetics have dramatically reduced human suffering, but the mechanisms of action of these drugs remain poorly understood. The hippocampus (memory centre in the brain) shelters a population of inhibitory receptors that underlie the memory-blocking properties. GABA (i.e., g-aminobutyric acid) receptors are the most abundant and widely distributed within the central nervous system of mammals. Therefore, these receptors play pivotal roles in virtually all brain functions including memory.

This discovery is a unique technique for treating memory and mood disorders. The method is comprised of the administration of a compound that inhibits the protein-protein interaction. These compounds can be used to treat or prevent disorders associated with increased alpha 5 GABA-A receptor function such as memory and mood disorders associated with inflammation or after general anaesthesia.

This invention describes a diagnostic platform for viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal and other infections, which allows an exponential amplification of desired nucleic acid molecules at an isothermal condition and simultaneous detection of multiple infectious genetic biomarkers using Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) and Quantum Dot (QD) barcodes respectively. Integrating mobile-cellular devices with multiplex molecular diagnostics can potentially provide the most powerful platform for tracking, managing and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.

This invention is a unique concept of developing thermal contrast agents to report the detection of a molecule, cells, or tissues. It utilized nanoparticles as probes in hiological and medical detection. The unique aspect of this research is that it did not utilize the colorimetric or fluorescence properties of a nanoparticle as the detection signal but rather, the heat generated from the nanoparticle. This is very unique concept of developing thermal contrast agents to report the detection of a molecule, cells, or tissues.