From: Leah Cowen, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and Strategic Initiatives
Date: February 12, 2026
Re: Appointment of James (Jim) Banting as Assistant Vice-President, Innovations, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. James (Jim) Banting as Assistant Vice-President, Innovations, Partnerships and Entrepreneurship (AVP-IPE), effective March 23, 2026.

A member of the Vice-President’s executive team, the AVP-IPE provides advice, guidance, information and support to the Vice-President, providing strategic direction and integrated oversight of the University’s commercial research partnerships, industry research engagement, and innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The AVP-IPE holds a vital leadership position focused on the strategic development and management of the Innovation & Partnership Office (IPO), University of Toronto Entrepreneurship (UTE) and University of Toronto Early-Stage Technology (UTEST) and on advancing the University’s mission as a premier public research institution on the global stage. Jim will lead a talented team whose combined efforts play a crucial role in driving innovation and excellence across U of T’s three campuses, continuing to position the University among the best in the world.

Jim is an experienced executive leader with a proven track record in establishing successful start-ups in the life sciences sector, as well as in areas such as licensing, partnerships, contract manufacturing, business development, and mergers and acquisitions within the biotech industry in the U.S. and Canada. He joins U of T from Queen’s University where for the past eight years he has served as the Assistant Vice-Principal, Partnerships and Innovation. In this position, he has led an office that supports research partnerships, technology transfer (licensing) activities, start-ups, a venture fund, strategic funding opportunities, and research security. Jim also served as President & CEO of PARTEQ Innovations, a not-for-profit corporation, to help Queen’s researchers market their new inventions and act as the technology transfer agent for Queen’s University.

Jim holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Queen’s University. His career began as a co-founder of a Queen’s University spin-off company that was venture capital-funded, grown, and sold to a U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company. A large portion of his career has focused on partnerships, alliance management, licensing, and mergers and acquisitions in the U.S. and Canadian biotech sectors.

I want to sincerely thank the members of the search committee for their time and contributions to this process.

Please join me in welcoming Jim to the University of Toronto.