Angels Den 2020
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On September 30, six teams of St. Michael’s Hospital’s all-star scientists battled it out on Angels Den Virtual for a chance to win prizes totaling nearly $500,000. They pitched their breakthrough projects to three celebrity judges,
a panel of over 50 jurors and an online audience of thousands. Their aim? To change the game for COVID-19 and other tough health challenges.
If you haven’t seen Angels Den 2020, and you want to see some great science,
watch it here. If you want to find out the winners, scroll down. Voting has been closed.
Congratulations to the 2020 Winners
Keenan Covid-19 Research Award
Lung Life after COVID-19
Dr. Darren Yuen
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Nephrologist, St. Michael's Hospital
Dr. Kieran McIntyre
Respirologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: COVID-19 survivors, even those who’ve had only a mild case, may develop permanent lung scarring that leads to long-term breathing complications.
THE SOLUTION: Rapidly diagnose lung scarring in COVID-19
survivors using a new, bedside ultrasound tool. At the same time, test a new drug to treat COVID-19-induced lung damage.
Odette Innovative Health Award
SkIP TECH: Preventing Pressure Wounds
Dr. Karen Cross
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: Canada has among the highest
rates of patients with pressure injuries, or bed sores, in the world. Yet this painful and life-threatening condition is completely preventable.
THE SOLUTION: Design SkIP (Skin Imaging for Pressure Injuries)
technology that enables non-specialist healthcare practitioners, for the first time ever, to monitor patients at risk of developing pressure injuries.
People's Choice Award, Presented by Canada Life
Smart Garments: AI Therapy For Your Muscles
Dr. Jane Batt
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Respirologist, St. Michael's Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: People who are critically ill often see their
muscles waste, for good. While the condition might just be prevented with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), the current technology is practically and economically unfeasible.
THE SOLUTION: Invent “smart textile” garments, like leg stockings and arm sleeves, that automate NMES stimulation through the power of AI.
Keenan Covid-19 Research Award
Pioneering solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic that optimize hospital flow, improve treatment and stem the spread of the virus.
Gemini: Digital Tools to Prepare for the Second Wave
Dr. Amol Verma
Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and Internist, St Michael’s Hospital
Dr. Fahad Razak
Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and Internist, St Michael’s
Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: When it comes to treating COVID-19, healthcare data can help us understand what works and what doesn’t. But right now it’s scattered across Ontario’s hospitals.
THE SOLUTION: Combine
data from over 30 Ontario hospitals that treat 70 per cent of patients in the province. Then use artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze it. The upside? With all that data, scientists and doctors can improve
diagnosis, treatments, and health policies.
The T-Cell Vaccine vs. COVID-19
Dr. Mario Ostrowski
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Infectious Disease Clinician, St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: The COVID-19 vaccines currently being developed
are using only antibodies to fight the virus, which may mean multiple vaccine doses. And none of the them is being created in Canada.
THE SOLUTION: Create a Canadian-made vaccine, and the first in
the world to use both antibodies and T-cells to create immunity.
Lung Life after COVID-19
Dr. Darren Yuen
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Nephrologist, St. Michael's Hospital
Dr. Kieran McIntyre
Respirologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: COVID-19 survivors, even those who’ve had only a mild case, may develop permanent lung scarring that leads to long-term breathing complications.
THE SOLUTION: Rapidly diagnose lung scarring in COVID-19
survivors using a new, bedside ultrasound tool. At the same time, test a new drug to treat COVID-19-induced lung damage.
Odette Innovative Health Award
Unconventional solutions to health problems that make access to health care easier and more inclusive, effective and affordable.
Smart Garments: AI Therapy For Your Muscles
Dr. Jane Batt
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, and Respirologist, St. Michael's Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: People who are critically ill often see their muscles
waste, for good. While the condition might just be prevented with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), the current technology is practically and economically unfeasible.
THE SOLUTION: Invent
“smart textile” garments, like leg stockings and arm sleeves, that automate NMES stimulation through the power of AI.
Laughing Gas: A Serious Way To Fight Depression
Dr. Karim Ladha
Investigator, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Anesthesiologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
Dr. Sid Kennedy
Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, and Psychiatrist,
St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: While there are many medications that treat major depression — a devastating disorder which affects millions of Canadians — they don’t work in nearly one-third of
patients.
THE SOLUTION: Study whether nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” will work in patients with depression, based on data that shows anesthetic drugs and gases have antidepressant effects.
SkIP TECH: Preventing Pressure Wounds
Dr. Karen Cross
Scientist, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, St. Michael’s Hospital
THE CHALLENGE: Canada has among the highest
rates of patients with pressure injuries, or bed sores, in the world. Yet this painful and life-threatening condition is completely preventable.
THE SOLUTION: Design SkIP (Skin Imaging for Pressure Injuries)
technology that enables non-specialist healthcare practitioners, for the first time ever, to monitor patients at risk of developing pressure injuries.
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Meet our Judges
Joe Mimran
Joe Mimran is a retail, fashion and business pioneer who has helped build some of Canada’s most recognized apparel and lifestyle brands such as Joe Fresh, Club Monaco, Gry Mattr, Pink Tartan, Alfred Sung and Caban. Joe is also
chairman of Gibraltar & Co., a venture capital firm, is on the board of Canopy Rivers and LXR, and through his consulting firms, JM+A and NYBS, provides design and consulting services to major retailers in the U.S. such
as Kroger and Staples.
From 2015 to 2018 Joe starred as a Dragon on CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den. Joe was the honorary chairman of the inaugural Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, and the recipient of the Canadian Style
Award. He has been recognized with The Design Exchange award along with his wife, Kimberley Newport-Mimran, the co-founder of Pink Tartan. Joe has recently been inducted into Canada’s Marketing Legends Hall of Fame.
He’s
been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Globe and Mail. A patron of the arts, Mimran’s philanthropic activities include support of the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Montreal Museum
of Fine Arts, and is a Luminaire for Luminato Arts Festival. He also supports Reena, a non-profit organization which promotes independence and community inclusion for people with developmental disabilities.
Michele Romanow
Michele Romanow is an engineer and a serial entrepreneur who started five companies before her 33rd birthday. The youngest ever entrepreneur to join CBC’s hit show Dragons’ Den, Michele is the co-founder of e-commerce platforms
Buytopia.ca and SnapSaves (acquired by Groupon).
Her current venture Clearbanc has invested over $1B in over 2,500 ecommerce companies. Ranked in WXN’s “100 Most Powerful in Canada,” Michele is the only Canadian
on Forbes’ “Millennial on a Mission” list. Buytopia ranked #3 on the Profit Hot 50 list of fastest growing companies and #1 on Chatelaine’s W100 list of fastest growing companies. She has won the Canadian Innovation Awards’
Angel Investor of the Year and was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award. Marketing Legends Hall of Fame.
She was also recognized as a Young Global
Leader by the World Economic Forum. Michele was previously the Director of Strategy for Sears. Michele received her engineering degree and MBA from Queen’s University where she received the Queen’s Tricolour. She is a director
on the board of Vail Resorts, Freshii and League of Innovators.
Vinay Virmani
Vinay Virmani is a graduate of Toronto’s York University, long regarded as a progressive beacon for its programs in media and the performing arts. He also studied film at New York’s prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film
Institute.
Vinay began his career as an actor in successful Canadian films such as Breakaway and Dr Cabbie. Driven by a firm belief that diversity in storytelling is the future of the entertainment industry,
he formed First Take Entertainment with a mandate to create compelling content that connects people, no matter where they are in the world.
A finalist on CBC’s Canada Reads, this creative visionary has broken
social, cultural and professional barriers in what is a highly competitive space.
As the content industry continues to evolve, so does Vinay’s vision. His latest appointment is Partner & Chief Content Officer
at Uninterrupted—a portal that gives top athletes a platform to share their stories and experiences. This LeBron James and Drake-led venture also has Vinay hosting Kneading Dough – a show about financial literacy in which
top athletes reveal how they’re handling the money that accompanies their superstardom.
Maureen Holloway - Emcee
Toronto radio fan favourite Maureen Holloway is one half of Darren and Mo, the top-rated morning show on 98.1 CHFI. She is also familiar to listeners across the country as host of the popular entertainment feature Other People’s
Business. In 2018, she was given the Rosalie Award, honouring Canadian women in broadcasting who have blazed new trails. She is a vocal advocate for women’s health and social issues.
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Top Prize Sponsors
Show Sponsor
People's Choice Award Sponsor
Team Biographies Sponsor
Platinum Sponsors
John Hunkin &
Susan E. Crocker
Corporate Juror Sponsors
The Alayne &
Ron Metrick Fund
Special Thanks
St. Michael's Hospital Department of Medicine
St. Michael's Hospital Department of Ophthalmology
Angels Den 2020 Jurors
Lloyd Barbara
John Barford
Gregory S. Belton
Tony Cesta
Kathleen Crispi
Susan Gordon
Sister Georgette Gregory
Richard Harvey
John Hunkin
Barbara Keenan
Sean Keenan
Elaine Kierans
Lili Knorr,
Tesari Charitable Foundation
Riley Krembil
Katy Livingstone
Jenny Longo
Jon Love
Nancy Love
Joe Mazzocco
Eleanor McCain
John McCartney
Wes McComb
John McIntyre
James McPhedran
Lisa Melchior
Pat Meneley
Alayne Metrick
Mary Mullen
Janet Norris
Lou Odette
Antonio Rodrigues
Josh Rotstein
Christina Sharma
Aleina Spigelman
Kate Stevenson
Daniel F. Sullivan
Kate Williams
Elisa Williams Schroen
Georgia Woods
Thank You To Our Cabinet
Gwen Harvey, Co-Chair
Melissa Martin, Co-Chair
Nancy Abbey
Jennifer DeCaria
John McCartney
Wes McComb
James McPhedran
Brian Mills
Sherri Neldner
John Rothwell
Watch 2019 Highlights
Congratulations to the 2019 Winners
The Keenan Biomedical Innovation Award
The Liver Airbag: A Device That Helps Save Livers
Dr. Joao Rezende-Neto
THE CHALLENGE: The liver is the most frequently injured abdominal organ in trauma, yet there is no device to control bleeding without impairing the physician’s view
of the liver.
THE SOLUTION: An inflatable, transparent and non-adherent liver airbag that allows surgeons to see and control bleeding, and safely remove the surgical packing.
The Odette Social Innovation Award
Tailor Made: Personalized Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Dr. Tony Antoniou
Dr. Jiwon Oh
THE CHALLENGE: Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. While there are more treatment options, doctors
still don’t have the tools to predict the course of the disease in an individual patient.
THE SOLUTION: An artificial intelligence (AI) tool to personalize individual patient treatments.
People's Choice Award | Presented By Canada Life
Artery Alert: A Limb-Saving Blood Test
Dr. Mohammad Qadura
THE CHALLENGE: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – the hardening of the arteries in the legs – affects 200 million people worldwide. It can lead to amputation and
even death. Yet because we lack diagnostic tools and blood tests, PAD goes undiagnosed in 75% of patients.
THE SOLUTION: A biomarker (blood-based test) to screen blood and diagnose PAD.