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With a Master’s degree in Materials Engineering, Jason Hendry’s unique background spanning industry and academia gives him the tools to help others bring their innovations to market.

Before joining Queen’s Partnerships and innovation, Jason was Director of Biomaterials Development at Millenium Biologix. In that role, he led the commercialization of the company’s artificial bone technology and helped successfully launch it in Canada, the US, and Europe. Jason managed all the aspects of product development, packaging, and shelf-life testing. He also led the regulatory approval processes with Health Canada and the FDA. Building on that success, Jason also led a team of scientists and engineers Millenium Biologix in the development of a novel spinal implant technology that was acquired by Medtronic.

As a technology transfer expert at Queen’s University, Jason works with patent agents, faculty members, graduate students, and industry to protect, develop, and commercialize emerging technologies in the medical device, life science, chemical, renewable energy, and advanced material sectors. Adept at securing development funding from various organizations, Jason is also skilled at negotiating IP (intellectual property) licenses and collaborative research agreements with start-ups, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and multinationals. As part of Queen’s contribution to Ottawa’s ScaleUp Program, he regularly mentors local start-ups and SMEs on creating IP strategies, funding proposals, investment pitches, and partnership agreements, as well as advising them on product development and regulatory affairs. Jason also frequently provides IP literacy training to students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty at Queen’s.

What’s the best part of your job?
Working on a lot of different projects with a lot of different, interesting people.

What’s the one thing you would tell any researcher to do before they come to you?
To make sure they spend time thinking about the market for their product and the user early in the process of development.

What is one important think that you want researchers to think about when it comes to the commercialization process?
Thinking that the path to commercialization will be fast and easy. It won’t be. They can do it, but the road to commercialization is a long and complex one.