Innovation Leadership: Medical and Bio-Innovations

The UBC Micro-certificate in Innovation Leadership: Medical and Bio-Innovations equips you with the specialized skills to drive innovation in the healthcare, biotech and pharma sectors, with a focus on identifying and addressing unmet medical needs and effectively managing intellectual property.

This program operates at the intersection of the legal, technical and strategic domains. It offers an industry-relevant curriculum, access to leading experts, and practical skills to foster innovation that positively affects patient care and healthcare delivery.

With its roster of respected guest experts, the program delivers valuable professional perspectives and insights, as well as networking and collaboration opportunities that can further professional growth within BC’s life sciences sector.

By the end of this program, you will be able to:

• Identify and assess unmet patient needs within the healthcare market
• Develop strategies that effectively meet identified patient needs and integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives
• Navigate the regulatory and market landscapes that impact the development and implementation of healthcare solutions
• Understand the various types of intellectual property (IP) and how they can be protected and managed within the Canadian and global legal frameworks
• Master the patent filing and prosecution process, including how to successfully protect innovations
• Leverage IP as a strategic asset in business development, commercialization and negotiation processes
• Apply concepts in real-world scenarios, ensuring a strong connection between classroom learning and professional application

This program is designed for professionals in healthcare, biotech, life sciences and pharmacy, as well as public health policy makers, advocates and researchers who seek to promote innovation in their sectors and understand how to leverage IP for business growth, patient needs and product development.

Our students come from a range of roles and sectors including: 

• Entrepreneurs and start-up teams 
• R&D managers and biotech professionals 
• Healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals 
• Personnel working in life sciences and biotech companies and organizations, including HR, technicians, marketing and sales reps, and account managers
• Policy makers and regulatory affairs specialists 
• Public health advocates and researchers 
• Academics, students, and researchers in STEM, engineering, and technology interested in impacting human health

For Canadians and permanent residents each course costs $1,250 and the total cost of the program is $2,500. For international students each course costs $2,500 and the total cost of the program is $5,000.

All fees are in Canadian dollars and subject to change. Fees are subject to GST where applicable. Fees may be paid by Visa®, Visa® Debit, Mastercard®, American Express®, money order or certified cheque.

For details on UBC’s payment policies, please see Refunds, Cancellations and Transfers.

The program consists of two courses of 10 weeks each. Combined, the courses take 50-70 hours to complete.

You can take the courses on their own, in any order. However, to gain the most value from the program, we recommend taking the courses in succession. You must complete both courses to obtain your micro-certificate. 

Required courses

This part-time blended program is instructor-supported and combines real-time online sessions, pre-recorded online classes, independent study and two in-person workshops. A central feature of this program is the guest lectures and Q&As by a diverse panel of leading industry experts.

In Week 10 of each course, you attend an in-person workshop on the UBC Vancouver campus instead of the online class. A virtual option using Zoom is available for the workshops so you can complete the program entirely online. These workshops include real-world case study assignments that offer you an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills.

Outside of classes and workshops, you can access online materials on your own time. For each module, you can review readings, case studies, videos and podcasts, as well as contribute to an online discussion forum where you can apply your learning and connect with other students.

Our program instructors are experts with extensive industry experience along with renowned guest speakers specializing in the field.

Ali Ardakani, Founder and Managing Director at Novateur Ventures Inc., has over 20 years’ experience in managing life sciences companies and R&D projects from concept through to FDA approval.

Jon Jafari, MBA, MSc, is the Entrepreneur in Residence, Lead of the Human Health Venture Studio and Co-Founder and Chief Business Offers at Mesintel Therapeutics. He has over 20 years’ experience in biotech business development including multiple startups, publicly traded biotech companies, and multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Milica Vukmirovic, PhD, Founder and President of Move Venture Consulting, has more than 10 years’ experience in early-stage technology and venture development, focused on go-to-market strategies, technology sourcing, IP, licensing, and fundraising.

Guest instructors 

Guests vary by session, and include regulatory experts, faculty, instructors and industry professionals, who present and share their expertise with students and include

Thomas J. Digby, Attorney, Global IP Lead, Novateur Ventures Thomas Digby is a US and Canadian intellectual property attorney with over 25 years of experience advising startups to global pharma on IP enforcement, M&A due diligence, and global IP issues, including tax, transfer pricing, and international trade compliance.

Lee A. Johnson, PhD, Partner, Mintz Dr. Lee Johnson is an IP attorney and registered patent agent who advises biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and tech companies on IP strategy, patent prosecution, licensing, and complex transactions, helping secure funding and achieve business growth.

Jay Z. Zhang, MS, JD, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Shuwen Biotech Dr. Jay Zhang, founder of Shuwen Biotech, has over 30 years of experience in biotech, R&D, patent law, and management, previously serving as Senior VP at Myriad Genetics and co-founding Niiki Pharma, with a focus on IP strategy and technology licensing.

Sean Lumb, PhD, Associate Director, entrepreneurship@UBC Dr. Sean Lumb leads the Lab2Launch Venture Building Program at entrepreneurship@UBC, supporting researchers in developing new ventures through technology licensing, commercialization, and seed-stage investment.

Cynthia Shippam, PhD, Industrial Technology Advisor, NRC IRAP Dr. Cynthia Shippam, an advisor at NRC IRAP, leverages her expertise in viral genetics and technology transfer to support Canadian innovators, helping small and medium-sized businesses bring their ideas to market.

Prashant Girinath, PhD, Shareholder, Intellectual Property and Technology Group, Greenberg Traurig Dr. Prashant Girinath is an IP strategy expert at Greenberg Traurig, specializing in patent development, financing, and strategic partnerships, guiding companies from startup to public offerings and exits, particularly in the life sciences.

Natalie Dakers, BSc, Leader in the Canadian Innovation Ecosystem; Board Member, Integrated Nanotherapeutics Natalie Dakers is a prominent leader in the Canadian health sciences, having founded several national organizations, including Accel-Rx and CDRD, and co-founded Neuromed Pharmaceuticals; she actively supports early-stage innovation companies.

J.P. Heale, PhD, Managing Director, University-Industry Liaison Office, The University of British Columbia Dr. J.P. Heale has managed UBC’s University-Industry Liaison Office for over 13 years, overseeing IP, licensing, and research agreements, and helping launch several UBC spin-offs that have raised over $40 million in private capital.

Allison Gaw, Principal, Amplitude Ventures Allison Gaw is a life science professional with 15+ years in business development, strategy, and commercialization, currently a principal at Amplitude Ventures, previously holding roles at Chinook Therapeutics, Sierra Oncology, and Arbutus Biopharma.

Dr. Ali Tehrani, Partner, Amplitude Ventures Dr. Ali Tehrani, co-founder of Zymeworks, is a venture partner at Amplitude VC, where he leverages his experience in leading biotech companies through IPOs and strategic partnerships to foster innovation in Canada’s biotech ecosystem.

Jennifer Fraser, Director, Innovation, University of Toronto Jennifer Fraser leads the Innovation team at the University of Toronto, driving the creation of over 150 research-based startups in five years, with a strong background in licensing, commercialization, and technology transfer.

Dr. Christine Allen, Professor, University of Toronto Dr. Christine Allen is a globally recognized researcher and leader in drug formulation, with over 160 publications and experience as co-founder of Nanovista Inc., serving in senior roles at U of T and adMare Bioinnovations.

Christopher Sweeney, Executive Director of Intellectual Property, Acuitas Therapeutics Christopher Sweeney manages IP strategy at Acuitas Therapeutics, specializing in patent prosecution, IP licensing, and strategic management in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and chemical technologies.

Dr. David Poon, Co-Founder, DCx Biotherapeutics & Strategic Advisor, SynanticBio Dr. David Poon is co-founder of DCx Biotherapeutics and a strategic advisor at SynanticBio, with extensive experience in corporate development, partnership establishment, and advancing therapeutic platforms in the life sciences sector.