OCE Helps Launch 38 Technology Start-Ups

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Sep 26 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. reported at yesterday's
annual general meeting that it supported the launch of 38 technology
companies in 2007-08, a 100 per cent increase over the previous year. OCE
also announced $450 million in follow-on investments to its portfolio of
126 spin-off firms to date. Through its extensive network of outstanding
partners, people, and programs, OCE played a critical role in moving
innovation from the minds of researchers into the market.

"Our $24-million investment in research, commercialization and talent
development programs last year resulted in $36 million in further
investment from our industry and other partners - a substantial 150 per
cent leverage," said David McFadden, Chair of OCE's Board of Directors,
at OCE's annual general meeting. "As a result, our young entrepreneurs
and researchers are better poised than ever to play a leadership role in
helping Ontario compete and win in the innovation race."

OCE continued to foster innovation and commercialization in Ontario last
year through:

- 598 active research and commercialization projects throughout the
province

- The Investment Accelerator Fund (IAF) that provided entrepreneurs up to
$500,000 in funding

- OCE's Mind to Market Award that highlights and rewards successful
collaborations between academic researchers and industry partners

OCE President and CEO Mark Romoff credited OCE's success to its talented
team that works closely with Ontario's cutting-edge researchers and
companies to drive great commercial outcomes. "Our team's breadth of
experience and industry expertise comprise our intellectual property and
indeed, our strategic advantage. Through their efforts OCE continues to
support the creation of high-value jobs for Ontarians in an uncertain
global economy."

Romoff also acknowledged the important leadership the Ministry of
Research and Innovation has provided OCE and its partners in the launch
of the Ontario Innovation Agenda. "The Ministry of Research and
Innovation recognizes that new technologies are needed more than ever to
drive Ontario's future economy. The Ontario Innovation Agenda, aptly
titled "Seizing Global Opportunities," has stressed the critical need to
move our economy forward in this direction."

"With the launch of our new Centre for Commercialization of Research we
are confident more successes, exciting collaborations and new initiatives
lay ahead for OCE," said David McFadden.

About Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Inc. (www.oce-ontario.org)

Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) is an independent, non-profit
corporation established in 1987 to encourage, fund, and promote
commercial innovation in support of high-value jobs, healthy communities,
a clean environment and economic prosperity within Ontario and Canada.
OCE works as an expert collaborator and skills developer, bridging
private industry, academic research and public interests, applying
specialized expertise to analyze new and emerging technologies, services
and business models, as well as market need and opportunity. Every year,
OCE hosts DISCOVERY - Canada's largest innovation forum - bringing
together industry, investors, scientists, researchers and governments to
pursue opportunities for collaboration.

Contacts:
Ontario Centres of Excellence
Dominique LaCasse
Director of marketing & communications
(613) 808-3925
Email: dominique.lacasse@oce-ontario.org
Website: www.oce-ontario.org

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-