Health & Life Sciences Industry Collaboration Initiative
Join us on September 22, 2026
Join us for our annual ecosystem wide event
Join the UCalgary Health and Life Sciences Industry Collaboration Initiative on Tuesday, September 22, as we bring together startups, SMEs and MNEs, researchers, foundations, agnostic sectors for a day of collaboration and exploring new possibilities. The event will also highlight Alberta Innovator Speed Pitches and showcase available UCalgary research services and licensable technologies.
This ecosystem wide event encompasses aspects of collaboration, commercialization, policy, acquisition and market applications of research, and highlights how to partner with companies on their R&D pipeline and identify aligned research paths. Attendees will gain industry insight, seek sponsored research opportunities, explore innovative healthcare solutions and make new connections through multiple networking opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you back to Foothills Campus for a day to explore new collaborations and showcase services and make connections.
The 2025 event saw 380 attendees with 18 industry presentations and we are excited to offer our second iteration of this event again during 2026 Life Sciences Week.
Questions? Contact hlscollaborationday@ucalgary.ca
Interested in sponsoring the 2026 event? Check out our sponsorship package.
2026 Sponsors
2026 Company Presentations
The following companies will be presenting at the event, highlighting how to partner on their R&D pipeline and identify aligned research paths:
Alberta Innovator Showcase Companies
2026 Agenda
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 07:30 | Registration Opens | Azrieli Atrium |
| 08:30-9:00 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Libin Theatre |
| 09:00-09:15 | UCalgary Resources Overview | Libin Theatre |
| 09:15-10:15 | Industry Presentations Session #1 | Libin Theatre |
| 10:15-10:30 | Alberta Innovator Showcase - Speed Pitches Session #1 | Libin Theatre |
| 10:30-10:45 | Coffee & Networking | Azrieli Atrium |
| 10:45-11:45 | Industry Presentations Session #2 | Libin Theatre |
| 11:45-12:45 | Lunch and Networking | Azrieli Atrium |
| 12:45-13:25 | Industry Presentations Session #3 | Libin Theatre |
| 13:25-13:40 | Alberta Innovator Showcase - Speed Pitches Session #2 | Libin Theatre |
| 13:40-13:55 | Coffee & Networking | Azrieli Atrium |
| 13:55-14:35 | Industry Presentations Session #4 | Libin Theatre |
| 14:35-14:50 | Alberta Innovator Showcase - Speed Pitches Session #3 | Libin Theatre |
| 14:50-15:30 | Industry Presentations Session #5 | Libin Theatre |
| 15:30-15:45 | Coffee & Networking | Azrieli Atrium |
| 15:45-15:55 | Alberta Innovator Showcase - Speed Pitches Session #4 | Libin Theatre |
| 15:55-16:35 | Industry Presentations Session #6 | Libin Theatre |
| 16:35-16:45 | Closing Remarks | Libin Theatre |
| 16:45-19:00 | Partner-sips Networking Reception | Azrieli Atrium |
Pre-event series for UCalgary Researchers
In preparation for the 2026 Health & Life Sciences Industry Collaboration Initiative, we have arranged 3 virtual pre-event industry collaboration sessions for UCalgary researchers. Each session will focus on different support units who can help navigate how you work within the UCalgary innovation ecosystem to move your research-to-impact.
Industry Sponsored Grants, Tech Disclosure & Licensing
September 2 | 12 - 1:00 p.m.
This session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear from the Research Services Office (RSO), Innovate Calgary and Mitacs on industry-sponsored grants, technology disclosure and licensing.
Speakers: Emma Koiston, Director, Research Grants and Training Programs, RSO; Dr. Maris Apse, PhD, Director, Life Sciences, Technology Transfer, Innovate Calgary and Annie Hoang, Senior Advisor, Mitacs
Research Agreements, Legal Review and Considerations
September 9 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
This session will provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear from Research Legal, CSM Legal and the Research Services Office on submitting research agreements through IRISS, legal review timelines, budget and overhead requirements, and engaging with AHS entities and commercial sponsors.
Speakers: Chris Chow, Director, Research Agreements, Research Legal; Stephen Harris, Senior Legal Counsel and Manager, CSM Legal; Alisha Kadam, Officer, Research Grants (NSERC), RSO
Transdisciplinary Stories of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
September 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
The Institutes for Transdisciplinary Scholarship invite you for a panel discussion where attendees will hear real-world stories of transdisciplinary initiatives, innovation, and entrepreneurship, to help navigate collaboration and partnerships.
Panelists: Dr. Alex Chee, Chief Medical Director LEADOPTIK & Clinical Associate Professor, CSM; Dr. Kristina Rinker, CSO Syantra Inc. & Professor and Associate Head, Research, Schulich School of Engineering; and Jill de Grood, Director, Strategy and Impact, Centre for Health Informatics and W21C Research and Innovation Centre
2025 Event Photos
Life Sciences Week September 21-25, 2026
Connecting minds, shaping futures.
Celebrating and advancing Alberta’s life sciences.
Recognized by Alberta Health and held annually on the last week of September, Life Sciences Week is a free, community-led event that connects industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and students to ignite collaboration and spotlight cutting-edge breakthroughs.