Year In Review 2024 - 2025

Who we are

The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) is a provincially funded, not-for-profit organization that accelerates discovery and innovation, benefiting both patients and the economy.

Since 2010, we've been forming strong partnerships and harnessing the power of collaboration to improve the lives of the 1 in 3 Ontarians living with a brain disorder.

Here’s what some of our research partners had to say about their time with us – and what makes them hopeful about the future of brain health.

The difference 15 years makes: From local action to global leadership

Stories

OBI works to improve brain health while driving innovation and economic growth in Ontario. We support research, fund startups, and empower communities, so discoveries become solutions. Read on to see examples of our ‘team science’ approach in action.

Featured Story

Ontario Brain Institute: Leading innovation in brain health

Investing in Brain Health

Supporting Community Care

Advancing Knowledge

Advancing Neuroinformatics

Impact

OBI strives to have a positive impact on the abilities and performance of its partners and collaborators to make Ontario a world leader in brain research, commercialization, and care.

†2024-2025

*Cumulative

LEGEND:

OBI-WIDE

RESEARCH SYSTEM

DATA

COMMERCIALIZATION

CARE

1/3

Our Impact

220,211

Audience reached

$93.6M

Leveraged funding

135

Jobs supported

Publications

339

Data requests †

80%

Intern follow on employment †

$440.52M

Follow-on investment into portfolio companies †

25.9X

ROI of portfolio companies †

Who we are

Partner Organizations

344

HQP Trained

170

Researchers

622

Brain-CODE users

101

Entrepreneurs †

189

Interns †

115

Portfolio companies †

Community partners

What we do

Events supported

Clinical trials

29,555

Participants with data on Brain-CODE †

IP granted †

111

Patient partnership activities

130

Knowledge products

Products to market †

3,261

Patients supported

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Culture at OBI

All work and no play? Not at the Ontario Brain Institute. Using our evergreen brain health tips as a north star, the OBI team got social and stayed active this year, building and strengthening connections through food and fun on several occasions.

OBI Office Socials

OBI’s social committee members – Yasmeen Shah, Caroline Bennet-AbuAyyash, Isdora Msigwa, Lucas Ng, Stephanie Holbik, Julia Lei and Narem Karakoyun – kept team spirit thriving through monthly office gatherings. From our annual potluck to games, tournaments, and themed activities, these social activities sparked laughter, strengthened connections, and brought camaraderie to life across the organization.

Cardiac Smash

In September 2024, OBI joined Cardiac Smash – Canada’s largest corporate charity ping pong tournament and one of our favorite traditions – in support of two important causes: the OBI Foundation and Heart & Stroke. Mike Van Solen (centre), Vice-Chair of our Board of Directors, accepted a donation on our behalf.

OBI Park Gathering

To celebrate summer, OBIers gathered outdoors at Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park for a day of sunshine, food, and games. It was the perfect chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and share quality time together as a team.

Holiday Luncheon

The 2024 holiday luncheon filled the OBI office with festive cheer. Between trivia, games, and friendly competition, the team shared laughter, holiday treats, and a chance to reflect on a year of accomplishments – celebrated in true OBI style.

John's Retirement Celebration

We celebrated John Clarkson, OBI’s long-serving Senior Vice-President, with a bittersweet retirement celebration to offer him a heartfelt send-off, filled with stories, laughter, and gratitude. It was a special moment to honour John’s remarkable contributions and lasting legacy at OBI, while wishing him the very best in his well-deserved next chapter.

OBI Staff Retreat

At our staff retreat, OBIers rolled up their sleeves for a cooking challenge, collaborating to prep, cook, and enjoy chef-style meals. A fun, hands-on experience that strengthened teamwork, communication, and comradeship, resulting in delicious treats and cheerful moments that last.

Bike for Brain Health

In June 2024, OBIkers Tom Mikkelsen, Francis Jeanson, Jordan Antflick, Lucas Ng, and Garth Smith teamed up with our partners at Baycrest for Bike for Brain Health. Riding to support Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research, they raised over $4,000, surpassing our initial goal of $3,000.

Reflections on the past year

Message from the Board of Directors Chair

Message from the President and Scientific Director

Board of Directors

Motivated by a goal of improving the lives of the one in three Canadians living with a brain disorder, OBI’s Board of Directors and advisory committees supported an integrated and collaborative approach to scientific discovery that harnesses Ontario’s expertise in neuroscience research. We are grateful for their leadership.