MaRS & Cluster sign Innovation Partnership Agreement

Peterborough, December 4, 2007 –  Officials from the Greater Peterborough Region DNA Cluster and visitors from Toronto-based MaRS Discovery District wrapped up a day of interaction and collaboration at the Cluster in Peterborough with the signing of an agreement designed to strengthen ties and partnerships between the two organizations. The signing event held this afternoon in the Senior Common Room at Trent University also included local dignitaries and officials from Trent University, Fleming College and the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation (GPA EDC).

The agreement formalizes a strategic alliance that will support the Cluster by providing access to MaRS Discovery District’s impressive network of resources and expertise, supporting the Cluster in efforts to help support commercialization of research and emerging technology companies and attract new businesses to the region. The collaboration will include jointly hosting regular events at the MaRS Centre to highlight the opportunities at the Cluster to potential partners and investors. The agreement will also see the Cluster establish a satellite presence at the MaRS Centre on College Street near the University of Toronto, providing ready access to existing and emerging innovation enterprises and investment resources.

“The formal agreement will encourage the Cluster’s efforts to create wealth, high paying jobs and increase the quality of life for citizens in the Greater Peterborough Region,” commented Andy Mitchell, GPA EDC & Cluster President. “Both MaRS and the DNA Cluster desire to contribute to innovation and the strengthening of Ontario’s technology and life sciences industries through the formation of strategic alliances that will strengthen each party and avoid duplication of effort,” added Mitchell.

“This partnership will broaden and strengthen the already positive working relationship between MaRS and the Peterborough Cluster team, to the benefit of both organizations. The goal of MaRS is to work collaboratively with partners like the Cluster to build innovation capacity and dramatically improve commercialization outcomes in Ontario.  This partnership will create opportunities to fuse our energies and focus our efforts to help connect the communities of science, business and capital with Peterborough,” commented Dr. Ilse Treurnicht, CEO of the MaRS Discovery District.

MaRS is a multi-faceted innovation centre connecting science, business and capital to stimulate innovation, entrepreneurship and the creation of successful global businesses from Canada’s science and technology.

The Greater Peterborough Region DNA Cluster is a not-for-profit corporation formed in 2004. The Cluster’s mission is to facilitate and advance life sciences, environmental, DNA and other innovative research and development in the Peterborough region to help promote and sustain a strong local knowledge-based economy.

For More Information Contact:
Jaimi Ruoho
(705) 743-0777 x226
jruoho@gpaedc.on.ca

About MaRS
MaRS Discovery District (www.marsdd.com) is a large scale, mission driven innovation centre located in Toronto and networked across Ontario, focused on building Canada’s next generation of technology companies. MaRS works closely with entrepreneurs to grow and scale their ventures into global market leaders in life sciences and health care, information, communications and digital media technologies, cleantech, advanced materials and engineering, as well as innovative social purpose business.

For more information, contact:
Linda Quattrin
Director Communications
MaRS Discovery District
416.673.8104
lquattrin@marsdd.com