At Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI), we are dedicated to advancing scientific discovery and translating it into real-world impact. As a leading research institute in Canada, we play a vital role within Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, where our vision is to invent the future of healthcare. This mandate fuels everything we do, from pioneering novel therapies to commercializing technologies that improve patient outcomes. We are driven by a shared commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of patients, families, and communities.
SRI is uniquely positioned at the intersection of cutting-edge research and patient care. Our multidisciplinary teams work collaboratively to accelerate the journey from discovery to application, ensuring that groundbreaking research makes its way from the lab to the bedside efficiently and effectively. This collaborative approach is what sets SRI apart — we are not just creating new knowledge, but actively converting that knowledge into innovations that can change lives.
Our dedicated Technology Transfer Office (TTO) helps protect intellectual property, secure patents, and guide researchers in navigating the complexities of bringing new technologies to market. We provide comprehensive support to researchers and innovators, from protecting intellectual property and securing patents to managing licensing agreements and fostering industry collaborations. We also offer tailored support to start-ups, helping translate groundbreaking research into viable, market-ready products that address unmet medical needs. Through these efforts, we aim to drive innovation, commercialization, and real-world impact.
Why Toronto?
Toronto’s commitment to research and development is unmatched, with billions invested annually in health sciences and technology. The city is home to some of the best research hospitals and academic institutions globally, creating a powerful synergy between clinical practice and scientific research. For researchers at SRI, this means being able to work closely with clinical teams, access diverse patient populations, and leverage state-of-the-art facilities — all within one of the most innovative healthcare ecosystems in North America.
Sunnybrook Research Institute (SRI) is proud to call Toronto home. Our institute benefits immensely from being embedded within a city renowned for its world-class universities, cutting-edge hospitals, and a robust ecosystem of start-ups and industry leaders. Researchers and scientists at SRI are part of a broader, vibrant community that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and the free exchange of ideas. This collaborative spirit, combined with Toronto’s access to talent, resources, and infrastructure, makes it an ideal environment to push the boundaries of science.
Raphael Ronen, M.Sc., CFA, has over 17 years in the medical device industry, with wide-ranging experience in business development and commercialization, including product development, financing, technology assessment, licensing, and IP management. For the past 10 years, he has had increasing managerial positions in technology transfer and business development with various world-renowned academic institutions, including MaRS Innovation, University of Toronto, and Robarts Research Institute. He also serves as the Co-Executive Director at INOVAIT, a pan Canadian network dedicated to developing and commercializing advanced image-guided therapy (IGT) technologies. Raphael has also held senior management and advisory positions within several emerging Canadian image-guided therapy companies, including FUS Instruments and Harmonic Medical (now Arrayus). Throughout his career, Raphael has raised over $75M in grants for commercialization activities for several industry and academic partners across Canada, including the previousFedDev TDP and ICP awards to SRI, bringing together 28 industry and academic partners to advance IGT technologies. Raphael holds a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, an M.Sc. in Medical Biophysics from the University of Western Ontario, and a B.Sc. in Systems Design Engineering from the University of Waterloo.
Drishi Vilkhu
Senior Manager, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
Drishi Kaur Vilkhu, LL.B., MBA, manages all operational aspects of SRI’s Technology Transfer Office. Her responsibilities include leading negotiations, strategic planning, partnership development, agreement drafting, and intellectual property (IP) strategy and management. With over 9 years of experience in the patents field and 7 years in technology transfer and commercialization, Drishi has been instrumental in driving innovation at Sunnybrook since the establishment of the SRI Technology Transfer Office in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Technology in Electronics Engineering and an LL.B. from India, as well as an MBA from Queen’s University, Canada.
Kelly Wong
Technology Analyst, Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
Kelly Wong, MSc, supports scientists and research staff at SRI in navigating technology transfer agreements, patenting, and the commercialization process. She is committed to fostering strategic partnerships, advancing licensing opportunities, and strengthening the Technology Transfer Office’s (TTO) reputation within the internal and external community. Kelly holds a Master of Science in Immunology from the University of Toronto and has 8 years of experience working in start-up and mid-sized diagnostic companies.
Corina Puscas
Intellectual Property Coordinator
Corina Puscas joined SRI’s Technology Transfer Office after over a decade of experience in the intellectual property field, specializing in patent prosecution on a global scale. At SRI, she oversees the intellectual property framework, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and managing processes related to the worldwide prosecution of domestic and foreign patents. Corina holds a Chemical Engineering diploma from the University Politechnica of Bucharest, Romania.
