Clients + Results
All Sectors
Resolutely focused on serving the health research and innovation ecosystem, we work with leaders from Government, Academia, Industry, Not-for-Profits and Care Providers on complex strategic initiatives that move ideas, knowledge and technologies from concept to impact.
At Shift Health there’s a depth of understanding and a personal touch to their service. Not to mention they’re incredibly smart.
DR. JASON FIELD CEO, Life Sciences Ontario
Our Results
Establishing a New Approach to Accelerate the Commercialization of Health Technologies
MaRS Innovation (now called Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners – TIAP) sought to develop a novel approach to investing in research breakthroughs and bringing them to market.
Exploring Patient and Caregiver Perspectives to Improve the Haemophilia Treatment Environment
A multinational pharmaceutical company sought support to engage with haemophilia A individuals and caregivers to gather firsthand perspectives on the impact of current and value of future therapies.
Building Investor Confidence in a Vaccine Investment Decision
Shift Health was engaged by a leading US investment firm to evaluate an asset and project sales in order to inform their decision to invest in an established biotechnology company expanding into new markets.
Mitigating Risks Associated with a Multinational Phase 3 Vaccine Clinical Trial
A leading pharmaceutical company required support in identifying and planning for risks and scenarios that could arise during a multinational Phase 3 vaccine clinical trial.
Attracting Foreign Investment to the Toronto Region’s Life Sciences Cluster
Shift Health was engaged by a newly formed government-funded agency to develop a foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction strategy for the Toronto Region’s healthcare and life sciences cluster.
Assessing Infectious Disease Diagnostics to Guide Product Development
A global pharmaceutical company wanted to identify diagnostic technologies that would support the clinical development and commercial performance of agents targeting two infectious diseases and represent potential partnership opportunities.
Government
We support our government clients in building policies, partnerships and solutions that advance public priorities: delivering high-quality healthcare, supporting the growth of a vibrant health and life sciences ecosystem, and creating jobs, wealth and a healthier society.
Working with Shift Health has been hugely beneficial for us. Their understanding of research strategy, organizational growth and stakeholder engagement has allowed Shift to place our mission at the heart of their work with us. Their capacity to work with patients, families and caregivers in support of our needs is one not often seen in consulting firms—and something we and our patient partners really valued.
DR. VASANTHI SRINIVASAN Executive Director, Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU)
Our Results
Developing the Strategic Plan for CIHR’s Institute of Infection and Immunity
CIHR’s Institute of Infection & Immunity (III) engaged Shift Health to support the development of a 5-year strategic plan that reflected the research interests and strengths of Canada’s infection and immunity research community and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Establishing a Transnational Public Health Agency in the Gulf Region
With an urgent need to integrate and improve public health efforts across the Gulf region—an imperative amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic—the Gulf Health Council (GHC) engaged Shift Health to develop a foundational strategic, operating and implementation plan for the Gulf Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Creating a New National Public Health Agency to Promote Healthy Living and Prevent Disease
The Saudi government sought to establish a national public health agency as a critical component of its efforts to transform the country’s entire health system.
Putting Health Research on the Map in a Resource-based Economy
The Saudi Government aimed to create a national health research agency to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem, support a learning healthcare system and diversify the Kingdom’s knowledge economy.
Uniting a Country Around a Single Vision for Cancer Research
Cancer research stakeholders across Canada recognized the need for a unifying vision that would inspire collective action and prepare Canada for leadership in a rapidly evolving cancer research landscape.
Evaluating SCPOR’s Impact on Patient-Oriented Research
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) needed a third-party evaluation to understand its impact to date and optimize its strategy.
Academia
We help our academic clients articulate bold, competitive research strategies, build productive partnerships with funders and industry, and establish the mechanisms needed to drive research mobilization, translation and commercialization.
For many years, Shift Health has been a most trusted partner, a friend, an advocate, and a champion for us. They have helped us achieve impactful national grants and awards, create inspired strategic plans, and given us the wise counsel and sage advice to be the university the world needs. Ryan and his team are visionary thinkers, creative and innovative planners, responsible and nimble consultants, and motivational and inspiring in the way they have helped move our university forward.
DR. KAREN CHAD Vice-President Research, University of Saskatchewan
Our Results
Advancing a Bold Model to Combat Pandemic and Biological Threats
Recognizing that our traditional models to pandemic preparedness have failed to imagine the risk and broad societal impact of biological threats, McMaster University sought support to establish a new way forward.
Securing $83M in Government Funding for a Water Research Program
The University of Saskatchewan needed a compelling proposal to secure investment from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) for a water security research program.
De-Risking Vaccine Development Through a Translational Research Public-Private Partnership
Facing the need to de-risk the development of new vaccines, a top-10 biopharma company required help articulating the strategic vision and business case for a translational research public-private partnership.
Spearheading a Canadian Coalition to Eliminate The Threat of Drug-Resistant Infections
McMaster University sought to establish a Canadian network focused on advancing innovative solutions to drug-resistant infections.
Inspiring Meaningful Change for a University’s Communities
The University of Saskatchewan engaged Shift Health to develop a strategic plan that would tell an authentic story, inspire diverse communities and provide an accessible and engaging means to understanding the institution.
Securing $15M for a Microbiome Research and Drug Discovery Program
McMaster University sought to secure a $15M investment to support the creation of a research program focused on studying host microbe interactions and the development of new antimicrobial agents.
Industry
We help our industry clients evaluate new product opportunities, position R&D programs and products for health and commercial success, diversify resources through multi-sector partnerships and prepare markets for future access to innovations.
Shift Health has provided the precedent-setting, entrepreneurial framework to enable strategy development and align international stakeholders on important global public health matters.
DR. JIM TARTAGLIA VP R&D, Sanofi Pasteur
Our Results
Positioning a COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate in a Dynamic And Competitive Landscape
A top-5 pharmaceutical company sought to understand differentiating features of competitor COVID-19 vaccine programs and forecast regional market scenarios and commercial implications.
Uncovering Lifecycle Management Options to Maximize the Value of a Novel Antiviral Beyond Treatment of COVID-19
A global pharmaceutical giant engaged Shift Health to explore additional RNA virus indications to inform lifecycle management for a promising antiviral in clinical development for COVID-19.
Leveraging External Partnerships to Maximize the Value of a Top-5 Pharma’s Portfolio
In the face of constrained R&D budgets, a top-5 pharmaceutical company needed support to develop a transformative, corporate-wide strategy to assess and secure external funding.
Developing a Therapeutic Vaccine of Greatest Value to Patients and Systems
A top-5 pharmaceutical company sought the perspectives of payers in the US and major EU markets to ensure that the value of an innovative vaccine would ultimately be recognized by health systems.
Inspiring Urgency Needed to Tackle Alzheimer’s Disease
A top-5 pharmaceutical company needed to prepare decision-makers for the patient and health system impact of disease-modifying therapies and diagnostic biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.
Uncovering Risks and Forecasting Performance of a Royalty Portfolio to Guide Investment Decisions
A large institutional investment firm engaged Shift Health to evaluate the products in a portfolio of pharma royalties it had an opportunity to acquire.
Not-for-Profit
We help the not-for-profit sector—health charities, patient groups, philanthropic organizations—develop accountable strategies and build partnerships to enable their advocacy, public health and patient-focused missions.
We have been consistently impressed with the outstanding ideas, strategy and vision that Shift Health has provided on several important projects over the last decade.
DR. JEROME KIM Director General, International Vaccine Institute
Our Results
Building the Case for Biopharma Industry Investment in Strep A Vaccine Development
A global health consortium required support in attracting greater industry investment into the traditionally underfunded area of Strep A vaccine development.
Delivering on a New Mandate to Strengthen Dementia Research, Care and Community Support
The Alzheimer Society of Canada—the national body of a federation of dozens of provincial societies and regional chapters—needed a strategy to deliver a newly-approved mandate.
Attracting $100M in Government Support for the Ontario Brain Institute
The Ontario Brain Institute (OBI) needed to define its strategic direction and articulate its value to policymakers to ensure continued government support for brain research.
Ensuring the World is Ready for the World’s First HIV Vaccine
The Pox-Protein Public-Private Partnership (P5) is tackling an enduring and daunting challenge: developing the world’s first HIV vaccine and ensuring it achieves maximum public health impact.
Advancing a Collaborative Vision and Strategy for the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise
The International AIDS Society (IAS) required support to develop a 5-year strategy for the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise (the Enterprise)—a long-time convenor and facilitator for the HIV vaccine R&D field.
Evaluating the Current State of Cancer Clinical Trials in Canada
The Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA) wanted to better understand the cancer clinical trial landscape in Canada, and in particular, the contribution of its initiatives to promoting access to trials.
Care Providers
We work with academic health centres and other research-oriented healthcare providers—both emerging and established—to deepen the integration of research and care and advance healthcare knowledge, innovation and partnership.
I expected their IQ. What really blew me away was their EQ.
MARK WALTON Vice President, Strategy, Partnerships & Performance Halton Healthcare
Our Results
Strengthening Clinical Research at a Community Hospital
Shift Health and University Health Network (UHN) were engaged by Halton Healthcare to assess the current state of research across a multisite hospital system and define the future direction of its clinical research program.
Evaluating SCPOR’s Impact on Patient-Oriented Research
The Saskatchewan Centre for Patient-Oriented Research (SCPOR) needed a third-party evaluation to understand its impact to date and optimize its strategy.
Unlocking $120M in Investments for Brain Health Innovation
Shift Health was engaged by Baycrest Health Sciences to develop a business plan and operating model for the multinational, multi-partner Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI).
Demonstrating the Impact of OSSU’s Model for Fortifying Patient-Oriented Research
Ontario SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU) needed to develop and pilot an evaluation tool to assess the impact of its multi-sectoral approach to patient-oriented research at the midpoint of its funding cycle.