A research competition at St. Michael’s Hospital, known as Angels Den, is showcasing innovative ideas to enhance the healthcare system. This annual event, now in its 11th year, will be held at Koerner Hall on Wednesday, where top scientists from the hospital will present their groundbreaking research concepts to judges, jurors, and over 1,000 attendees.
The competition offers a total of $1 million in prizes, with $700,000 allocated for research funding and $300,000 for grants. The pitches range from a device that efficiently clears blocked dialysis catheters to physician-paramedic teams providing urgent care to trauma patients on-site.
Among the finalists is Dr. Hagar Labouta, a nanomedicine researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital, who has developed a targeted drug delivery system for pregnant women that safeguards the unborn child from potential medication side effects.
Labouta emphasized the significance of ensuring the safety of medications for pregnant women, highlighting the risks associated with unknown effects on the fetus. The innovative drug delivery system utilizes nanoparticles to precisely administer treatment to the mother while protecting the baby.
Dr. Ori Rotstein, the Vice President of Research and Innovation at the hospital, praised the impact of Angels Den over the past decade. The competition has awarded over $7 million for medical research, supported the transformation of 86 projects into patient care, facilitated the creation of 34 medical devices, and established 10 spin-off companies.
Dr. Christopher Witiw, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Alun Ackery, an emergency physician, were the previous year’s winners. Their winning pitch involved an AI surgical consult designed to aid in identifying traumatic brain injury patients who require surgery promptly.
Since their victory, the team has been preparing to launch a pilot program across 12 hospitals in Ontario to validate the platform in real-world scenarios and expand their collaborations globally.
The winners of this year’s Angels Den competition will be announced on Wednesday, continuing the tradition of fostering innovation and impactful healthcare solutions.
