Established in 2011 in response to the changing global economy and an increasing demand for world-class technologies in Asia and operating out of offices in in Hong Kong and Nanjing of Jiangsu province, WD Asia is the first permanent technology commercialization entity in Asia ever created by a Canadian organization.
Over the years, WD Asia has achieved a series of successes in facilitating licensing deals, research collaborations, and the creation of start-ups for London’s researchers valued at $30 million CAD total.
By early 2019, with the support from many strategic partners and years of development, WD Asia has grown into a successful professional services provider dedicated to helping research institutions and high-tech small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) across Ontario form intellectual property and innovation partnerships in China.
In June 2019, with direct support from Incremental Project Grant (IPG) funding awarded to Western Research from the Canadian Federal Government’s Research Support Fund, WD Asia’s service successfully expanded to Quebec and Japan. WD Asia hired business development personnel for both Quebec and Japan, built up its research organization and SME client base in Quebec and cultivated a business network in Japan among investors and industrial partners.
To date, this program has enrolled 20 Japanese organizations, more than 16 Quebec based organizations and added over 40 technologies to its portfolio.
One organization from Quebec that is now working with WORLDiscoveries Asia is Aligo, a tech transfer office that supports 10 of Quebec’s universities.
“For Aligo, the business development activities offered by WORLDiscoveries Asia are expanding our business network and fostering our chances of establishing successful partnerships and technology transfers” said Anne-Marie Larose, CEO of Aligo Innovation “Their focus is directly aligned with our goals of opening up new perspectives for Aligo’s innovation portfolio at the international level. With their success-driven approach, WORLDiscoveries Asia is definitely a key partner to get this global reach.”
Thanks to this expansion, WD Asia will enhance London, Ontario and Canada’s profile and engagement in research collaboration, technology commercialization and venture capital investment in Asia while achieving financial sustainability through delivering quality professional services in these areas.
“WD Asia’s expansion was the logical next step in facilitating commercial opportunities between researchers, SMEs and potential partners in Asia” said Lisa Cechetto, Executive Director of WORLDiscoveries “The team has clearly demonstrated the value this service brings to not just the London research community but academic organizations and companies across Canada.”
If you are interested in working with WORLDiscoveries Asia in the areas of innovation commercialization in Asia please contact Ling Ting, Director, WORLDiscoveries Asia.
