Lawrence Korngut

Biography

Clinician Researcher

Dr. Korngut is a neuromuscular neurologist at the Calgary Neuromuscular Program where he diagnoses and treats neuromuscular conditions and performs electromyographic (EMG) studies, he served as Director of the program from 2017 through 2021. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, and a full member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. His research program focuses on collecting real world health data to improve health outcomes of patients with neuromuscular disease (ie. ALS). He has published over 62 peer-review articles and is a regular speaker at international conferences. 

Dr. Korngut led the growth of the Calgary ALS & Motor Neuron Disease Clinic from 2010 through 2021 further establishing the clinic as a premier provider of multidisciplinary ALS care worldwide.

He led the development of the University of Calgary Neuromuscular Clinical Trial Program since 2009 having conducted over 80 clinical trials of new therapies for conditions including ALS providing access to promising new experimental therapies for patients across Alberta and Western Canada.

Dr. Korngut led the formation and continued Calgary-based operations of the Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) that has recruited over 6000 neuromuscular patients across 48 Canadian clinics and has resulted in over 230 data releases supporting clinical trial recruitment and advocacy for improved access to emerging therapies. The CNDR is a highly respected source of data supporting clinical research for patients across Canada.

Innovation

Dr. Korngut serves as the Director, Innovation & Commercialization at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute where he facilitates the commercialization of new discoveries and technologies. The HBI is recognized as a top neurotechnology startup creator in Canada contributing to the University of Calgary’s status as #1 startup creator in Canada amongst all academic institutions consecutively for the past 3 years. He supports HBI scientists and clinicians through the tech transfer process to optimize commercialization success through out-licensing or new company formation. He has contributed to the HBI Innovation Strategy that includes the launch of the MIND Prize ($1M/year x 10 years funding high risk high reward neuroscience research, first funding awarded in 2022) and UCeed Neuro (University of Calgary-based venture philanthropy planning to begin investing in University of Calgary-affiliated neurotechnology startups in late 2023).

Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur, Dr. Korngut co-founded Lumiio, a successful health data technology startup now operating programs in 18 countries, and OligomicsTx (a preclinical biotechnology company combining innovative delivery mechanisms with their ground-breaking novel RNA-based therapies for rare diseases including Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.

To further advance commercialization of academic discoveries and emerging technologies Dr. Korngut co-founded KASTx Ventures, a life science venture builder that has resulted in multiple new Alberta-based startups supported by a diverse team of business operators.

Dr. Korngut has been recognized for his contributions through several awards:

• The 2023 BioAlberta Vista Award for significant contributions to the success of the Alberta Life Science cluster
• The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (Alberta)
• Muscular Dystrophy Canada Dr. Katie Manders Courage to Inspire National Award (2016)
• Calgary Top 40 under 40 Award, Avenue Magazine Calgary
• Muscular Dystrophy Canada Dr. George Karpati Award for National Researcher of the Year (2011)