AUTM Launches New Canadian Public Policy Advisory Committee  

The AUTM Board of Directors has approved the formation of the Canadian Public Policy Advisory Committee (CPPAC), a national collective of Canadian technology transfer and innovation professionals. The committee is tasked with bringing clear, evidence-based insights into public policy conversations to strengthen the impact of research commercialization activities across Canada. 

The CPPAC represents a diverse group of experts from post-secondary institutions and the broader innovation ecosystem. Its primary mission is to identify shared challenges and provide evidence-based insights that inform practical, system-level approaches to research commercialization, supporting the translation of Canadian research into long-term economic and societal value. 

The committee will serve as a strategic advisory body rather than a lobbying group and will work to clarify the essential role of technology transfer, TTOs, and post-secondary innovation hubs in the early stages of the commercialization lifecycle. 

“There is a vital need to communicate that research commercialization is a collaborative, multi-stage journey and not a series of overnight successes,” says Sarrah Lal, Chair of the CPPAC. “Through evidence-based policy commentary and clear, real-world examples of how technology transfer works in practice, our goal is to improve understanding of how early-stage translational research is supported in Canada. By grounding public and policy discussions in how this work happens, informed by the expertise of professionals working in technology transfer, we help ensure research-based startups are positioned to grow and succeed in Canada.” 

The CPPAC has identified several priority areas for 2026 that will inform its policy commentary and narrative work. These include examining the role of research support funding in moving innovation to market; exploring the public value created by innovation originating in public institutions; clarifying the evolving role of technology transfer as an active participant in the innovation ecosystem; and improving understanding of technology transfer’s role in IP education and early-stage commercialization outcomes. 

"The launch of the CPPAC allows us to address the unique realities of the Canadian innovation landscape with transparency and expertise," says Jennifer Fraser, AUTM Board Member. "We are committed to showcasing the success stories and intellectual property strategies that work effectively in our context. By bridging the gap between research institutions and policy conversations, we ensure that our work continues to drive Canada’s long-term prosperity." 

The committee will convene for an in-person working session at the upcoming AUTM Canadian Region Meeting to review, align on, and operationalize its strategic priorities for the remainder of the year.