1. Neuroscience Catalyst is an innovative collaboration between Janssen Inc., one of the world’s most innovative
pharmaceutical companies, Johnson & Johnson Innovation (JJI) and the University of Toronto (U of T), one of Canada’s most
renowned research-intensive universities, through its Centre for Collaborative Drug Research (CCDR). Neuroscience Catalyst
funds open-source, pre-competitive, early-stage investigations that can progress to clinical treatments for mood disorders
and Alzheimer’s disease; chronic diseases that impact hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Why Mood Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease?
In Canada, mood disorders such as depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are increasingly common and currently
affect about 10 per cent of the population. In fact, Canadians have a one-in-five chance of having a mental illness in
their lifetime, with adults between 20 and 29 showing the highest rates of depression and anxiety symptoms. Psychiatric
disorders are the fastest growing cost sector for occupational disability in Canada.
Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects more than 745,000 Canadians. In Ontario alone,
dementia currently affects more than 180,000 individuals,a number expected to rise 40 per cent to 255,000 individuals
by 2020. The annual total economic burden (including direct, indirect and opportunity costs) of dementia in Ontario is
expected to increase by more than $770 million per year through 2020.
The collaborators of Neuroscience Catalyst recognize this urgent need to identify new and effective therapeutic options
for Canadians impacted by these diseases.
How the Neuroscience Catalyst Works
Neuroscience Catalyst provides teams of researchers with financial support and access to cutting-edge drug discovery
tools and information, as well as access to JJI and Janssen Research & Development (R&D) resources, which can lead to
accelerated progress toward critical research milestones.
The University of Toronto co-funds the research and creates a structure for soliciting and evaluating proposals from
researchers, including the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), St. Michael’s Hospital and other academic
hospital research institutions.
NEUROSCIENCE
C ATA L Y S T
For more information or to apply please visit: www.neurosciencecatalyst.ca
Representatives from Janssen, JJI and U of T have a Joint Steering Committee to review research proposals and provide
recommendations to the CCDR for external review and approval. The Committee also provides scientific oversight, advice
on funded research and will monitor the progress of and review results arising from the research.
NEUROSCIENCE
CATALYST
Researchers
Submit Proposals
Neuroscience Catalyst Engages
with Donors, Governments and R&D
Community to Advance Mutual Goals
Joint Steering Committee
Reviews Proposals, Provides
Funding & Support
Global Resources
of JJI/Janssen R&D
University of
Toronto CCDR
Hospital Partners
(CAMH, St. Michael’s
and other fully-affiliated
academic hospitals)
New Targets
New Models
New MoleculesCommercializationImproved Health Outcomes
Outcomes from Neuroscience
Catalyst-Sponsored Projects Advance
to Subsequent Research Phases

2. Researchers
Submit Proposals
NEUROSCIENCE
C ATA L Y S T
For more information or to apply please visit: www.neurosciencecatalyst.ca
First Call for Proposals
Call for proposals will be accepted from November 6, 2014 to January 16, 2015.
Particular areas of interest include:
• Role of neuro-immunological function in the etiology and treatment of mood disorders.
• Approaches to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease,
other than those that directly impact on amyloid formation, deposition and disposition.
• Exploration of the commercial utility of novel tools, technologies, or devices in the Neurosciences,
especially those with the potential to provide disruptive healthcare solutions for patients affected by
Alzheimer’s disease or mood disorders.
• The role of epigenetics in the etiology and treatment of mood disorders.
One of the Janssen Pharmaceutical
Companies of Johnson Johnson,
Janssen Inc. is dedicated to addressing
and solving some of the most
important unmet medical needs in
oncology, immunology, neuroscience,
infectious diseases and vaccines, and
cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
Driven by our commitment to patients,
we bring innovative products, services
and solutions to people throughout
the world.
Rebecca Yu
ryu6@its.jnj.com
Focused on accelerating early-stage
innovation worldwide and forming
collaborations between entrepreneurs
and Johnson Johnson’s global
healthcare businesses. JJI provides
scientists, entrepreneurs and
emerging companies one-stop access
to science and technology experts who
can facilitate collaborations across the
pharmaceutical, medical device and
diagnostics and consumer companies
of Johnson Johnson.
Guy Seabrook
gseabroo@its.jnj.com
The CCDR was established in the
spring of 2013 and brings together
researchers from the Faculty of
Medicine, the Leslie Dan Faculty of
Pharmacy, and U of T affiliate CAMH.
Through innovative collaborative
approaches, the CCDR will leverage
the skills of U of T, hospital partners
and the private sector to increase
the pace of development of novel
treatments in various disease areas,
including mental health.
Noufissa Kabli
noufissa.kabli@utoronto.ca
INNOVATION
Neuroscience Catalyst Collaborators
1. Canadian Mental Health Association. http://www.cmha.ca/mental-health/understanding-mental-illness/mood-disorders/
2. Kirby, M. Keon, W. (2004). Report 1, Mental health, mental illness and addiction: Overview of policies and programs in Canada (Chapter 5). Interim report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social
Affairs, Science and Technology.
3. Workplace mental health indicators: An EAP’s perspective (2005 Series, Vol. 1, Issue 1).
4. Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario (2010).