Around the globe researchers are racing to find more information as well as treatments, cures and vaccines for the coronavirus. Shaare Zedek’s database is supporting over seventy such efforts.
At the height of the pandemic in Israel, Shaare Zedek had seven departments treating coronavirus patients to accommodate over 100 patients. Dr. Renana Ofan, the Director of our Research and Development Authority, shared, “At the height of the pandemic we opened a ‘bank’ of samples that were taken from coronavirus patients which today serves as the basis for numerous research efforts. Madait was established roughly five years ago to manage the R&D activity in Shaare Zedek and has been growing each year.
Madait manage cooperative agreements between the hospital and organizations active in the research and innovation. Madait is responsible for managing the relationship with pharmaceutical companies who have clinical trials at Shaare Zedek as well as hundreds of studies and joint efforts with researchers in Israel and around the globe. Madait is involved in a wide array of research efforts which are changing the face of medicine including an artificial intelligence system for improved colonoscopy exams, a project to improve EKG exams, numerous projects with Israeli start-ups to develop computerized systems using artificial intelligence.”
Prof. Dan Turner, Deputy Director General for Research & Development explained, “At the end of the day, all of the activities of the Department of Research and Development at Shaare Zedek are focused on improving medical care while using the findings to improve medicine for the individual patient. However, it is very important to also promote projects based solely on research curiosity since it during the initial stages of research, is not always possible to know how the results will help patients and humanity.”
Prof. Ofer Merin, the Director General of Shaare Zedek said, ” Shaare Zedek’s contribution to the fight against the coronavirus is important and central on an international level. We will continue to research and work together with the leading experts to beat the coronavirus.”
