St. Michael’s Hospital is hosting its 11th annual research competition, Angels Den, where top scientists present groundbreaking ideas to improve healthcare. The event, organized by St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation, features six teams pitching innovative research proposals for a chance to win $700,000 in prizes and $300,000 in grants.
Among the finalists is Dr. Hagar Labouta, a nanomedicine researcher at the hospital, who has developed a targeted drug delivery system to treat pregnant women while safeguarding their babies from potential side effects. This system aims to revolutionize care for various conditions, offering precise medication delivery to specific areas of the body.
Dr. Ori Rotstein, the hospital’s VP of Research and Innovation, highlighted the significant impact of Angels Den over the past decade, with over $7 million awarded to medical research, support for 86 projects, the creation of 34 medical devices, and 10 spin-off companies. The event not only fosters innovation but also serves as a platform to showcase science to the public and provide crucial funding for early-stage research.
Last year’s winners, Dr. Christopher Witiw and Dr. Alun Ackery, introduced an AI surgical consult to streamline the assessment of traumatic brain injury patients needing surgery. Their solution, now in use at St. Michael’s Hospital, has proven to be highly successful and is set for a 12-hospital pilot in Ontario to further validate its effectiveness.
The winners of this year’s Angels Den competition will be announced on Wednesday, with each pitch aiming to make a lasting impact on healthcare innovation and patient care.
