St. Michael’s Hospital is hosting its annual research competition, Angels Den, featuring cutting-edge ideas to enhance the healthcare system. The event, now in its 11th year, will be held at Koerner Hall, where six teams of top scientists from the hospital will present their innovative projects to judges, jurors, and a large audience of over 1,000 attendees.
Participants are competing for a total of $1 million in prizes, with $700,000 dedicated to research funding and $300,000 in grants. The diverse range of pitches includes solutions such as a device for unblocking dialysis catheters without the need for risky surgeries and teams of physicians and paramedics delivering emergency care to trauma patients on-site.
One of the finalists, Dr. Hagar Labouta, a nanomedicine researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital, has developed a targeted drug delivery system specifically designed to treat pregnant women while safeguarding their unborn babies.
Labouta highlighted the issue of pregnant women taking medications where the safety for the baby is uncertain, emphasizing the need for a method to protect the fetus from potential harm caused by certain drugs. Her innovative approach involves using nanoparticles to precisely deliver medication to the mother’s body.
Advancing Healthcare Through Innovation
Dr. Ori Rotstein, the hospital’s Vice President of Research and Innovation, praised the impact of Angels Den over the past decade. He noted that the competition has supported over $7 million in medical research funding, facilitated the development of 34 medical devices, and led to the creation of 10 new companies in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Rotstein emphasized the importance of translating scientific research into practical applications that benefit society, showcasing the success stories that have emerged from the competition. He also highlighted the role of Angels Den in promoting public engagement with scientific advancements and providing crucial funding for early-stage research projects.
Success Stories from Previous Competitions
Last year’s winners, Dr. Christopher Witiw, a neurosurgeon, and Dr. Alun Ackery, an emergency physician, developed an AI surgical consult system to prioritize traumatic brain injury patients in need of immediate surgery. The AI tool, trained on data from thousands of trauma cases, has proven to be highly effective in identifying critical cases swiftly.
Following their victory at Angels Den, the team has been working on implementing their system in a 12-hospital pilot program across Ontario to validate its efficacy in real-world scenarios. Dr. Ackery credited St. Michael’s Hospital Foundation and Angels Den for providing the support and resources needed to bring their innovative idea to fruition.
This year’s winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Angels Den competition, showcasing the ongoing commitment of St. Michael’s Hospital to fostering innovation and driving positive change in healthcare.