Keenan Award for Medical Discovery, 2024
Chronic kidney disease affects one in 10 Canadians, and the standard diagnostic tool—a needle biopsy—can be painful and risky. Dr. Darren Yuen developed a simple, non-invasive ultrasound scan that can detect and measure kidney scarring.
Since winning Angels Den, his team completed a world-first clinical trial of their new ScarScan device, imaging more than 600 people. They also secured a major CIHR grant, expanding their trial to sites in Montreal and New York. With a patent pending, Dr. Yuen aims to launch a start-up company to bring this groundbreaking technology to clinics everywhere.
Odette Award for Health System Innovation, 2024
Every year, 165,000 Canadians suffer a traumatic brain injury. Only one in five needs surgery, but with neurosurgeons flooded by consults, it’s hard to immediately determine who those people are. Dr. Alun Ackery and Dr. Christopher Witiw's and AI Surgical Consult is changing that. The tool uses AI to quickly pinpoint which patients need surgery.
Since winning Angels Den, the team’s ASIST-TBI program has made rapid progress, bolstered by additional donor support. They’re now preparing to launch a 12-hospital pilot across Ontario to validate the platform in real-world settings, while expanding partnerships globally—from PEI and Manitoba to Brazil, Texas, and the European TBI Consortium. A new collaboration with SickKids will extend the technology to pediatric trauma. The team is now adapting their AI platform to detect other injuries, aiming to transform TBI and trauma management worldwide.
Canada Life People’s Choice Award, 2024
Sepsis claims millions of lives each year, but Dr. Claudia dos Santos and Dr. Amin Ektesabi are determined to change that. Their groundbreaking treatment blocks inflammation and strengthens the immune system, while protecting vital organs like the heart and lungs from failure.
After winning Angels Den, they secured the $250,000 ECHO Prize for heart protection innovation and a $543,000 CIHR grant to accelerate discovery. Their research paper is under review, and they've already enhanced the treatment’s formula. And just months after their Angels Den win, Dr. dos Santos made national headlines for creating a promising sepsis-testing device that could revolutionize early detection.
Now, the team is exploring partnerships with biotech companies to bring these innovations to the global stage.
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