Darlene
Homonko, Ph.D.
Dr. Homonko is the Executive Director
of the Golden Horseshoe Bioscience Network (GHBN). She has spearheaded
the formation of a vibrant bioscience cluster in Hamilton, Halton and
Niagara. Managing a multi-stakeholder contribution of just under 2
million
dollars she and her team created new programs and connections that will
have a future impact in the region for many years to come. With her
expertise over the past 4.5 years, the network was instrumental in
helping
companies grow and access the knowledge and financial resources they
needed to be successful.
Dr. Homonko has over ten years
experience
in life sciences commercialization including 4 plus years in venture
capital where she was a key member of a small team that managed a US$20
million early stage Canadian Biomedical Venture Fund. She was
instrumental
in the creation of commercial value from innovative research secured
in Milestone Medica Corporation’s (MMC) portfolio companies.
In 2004-2005, Dr. Homonko was Director of Operations and Business
Development
for one of MMC’s companies – Molecular Templates Inc. (MTI), a spin-out
company of the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario. MTI
specialized
in the development of anti-cancer therapeutics from bacterial proteins.
Bridging her time after MTI, Dr. Homonko was as an Industry Liaison
Officer at the University of Toronto Innovations Foundation where she
focused on identifying new spin-out opportunities in the life science
and convergent medical technologies sector.
Dr. Homonko has a valued reputation in the commercialization of life
sciences innovations with specific experience in early stage company
formation. As well, she has a strong background in intellectual property
management, technology evaluation and analyzing corporate research and
development in commercial alliances for sound business practice. A
natural
at engaging people, developing partnerships and working with students
of all ages, she sits on the Board of Directors for Life Science Ontario
and mentors students in the McMaster Engineering and Entrepreneurship
program.
Dr. Homonko holds a Ph.D., Neuroscience
from the University of Toronto, Institute of Medical Sciences; a M.Sc.,
Kinesiology from Dalhousie University; and a B.Sc., Physical Education,
Health, General Science from the University of Rhode Island.