Six Teams to Compete for Research Funding at the 2025 Building a Biotech Venture Pitch Competition

On Thursday, May 8, 2025, six promising trainee-led ventures will compete at the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Building a Biotech Venture (BBTV) Pitch Competition. These emerging entrepreneurs from the University of Toronto and affiliated hospitals are developing biotech solutions addressing hypoglycemia, stroke, spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases, and other conditions.

Founded by Medicine by Design and now in its fifth year, the BBTV program bridges breakthrough scientific discovery and commercialization, providing entrepreneurial training, workshops, mentorship, and industry expert-led sessions to build investor-ready biotech ventures. This year's program is led by PRiME in partnership with Medicine by Design, Health Innovation Hub (H2i), and Talk Boutique.

Akshita Vincent, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at PRiME, explains: "Innovation happens when great science meets bold thinking. BBTV is one of the ways we bring that philosophy to life." A record number of applications were submitted this year; ten teams advanced to the Venture Development phase, with six ultimately selected after mentorship and pitch coaching.

The program has launched successful ventures, including Twenty-Nine Therapeutics — which gained Health Canada approval for first-in-human clinical trials — and Re:Pair Genomics, a 2024 winner that secured a $25,000 Tech@RBC Momentum Grant. The 2025 pitch competition runs May 8 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Myhal Auditorium, with networking from 2:30 p.m.