City council has recommended taking the first step in developing a Medical Innovation and Commercialization Network that could bring 350 new high-skilled jobs to London.

The Investment and Economic Prosperity Committee heard details of the proposal to make London a world leader in medical research on Monday.

Dan Ross of the London Health Sciences Foundation says “We’re ready to go. We’re ready to do governance, we’re ready to create a business plan. You know we’ve got a lot of talent in this room. This is not a dream, this is a reality. The technology, the experience, the expertise, the talent exist. This is a question of coalescing it, finding that collaborative sweet spot that really allows us to bring it home. ”

The project would bring together Western University, the Lawson Health Research Institute, Robarts Research Institute, the London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care.

But the city has to contribute $10 million over 10 years, to get partnerships and matching money to cover the total $80 to $100 million cost.

Ward 5 Councillor Joni Baechler says “These are the elements we need in order for us to be in the game and you had to deliver that message and you had to be receptive of course to the criticisms and concerns and the needs of all of the organizations in this room and you made it work. As a collective you brought everyone to the table. Everyone is here and we’re all united in wanting to see this move forward.”

Final discussions on where the $10 million commitment from city hall will come from won’t happen until the second phase of the project.

Right now they’re working on governance models and getting gall the partners lined up.