JERUSALEM — FourWard, a multi-institutional innovation partnership, officially launched at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Givat Ram campus. The collaboration aims to advance research and startup development in Jerusalem.
FourWard is a partnership between the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Azrieli Jerusalem Academic College of Engineering, Lev Academic Center, the Jerusalem Municipality, and the Jerusalem Development Authority. A public company owned by these partner institutions is being established to operate the collaboration platform. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Shaare Zedek Medical Center will each provide one-third of the initial funding, while Azrieli Jerusalem Academic College of Engineering and Lev Academic Center will each contribute one-sixth.
The partnership seeks to establish start-ups, develop human capital, and connect researchers with investors. FourWard will function as a shared meeting space for seminars, planning, and coordination rather than replacing existing research facilities. A permanent facility for the partnership will be constructed near Road 16 and the Begin Highway in Jerusalem.
The initiative started with the Jerusalem Municipality, and a government decision followed 18 months ago, according to Amit Persiko, vice president and CEO of Azrieli Jerusalem Academic College of Engineering. The launch event included Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, Shaare Zedek Medical Center CEO Prof. Ofer Merin, Lev Academic Center CEO Roi Ohev Zion, Jerusalem Development Authority CEO Tzachi Namir, and 100 representatives from academic, medical, government, and industry sectors.
Dan Turner, director of Shaare Zedek Medical Center Pediatric Gastroenterology Institute, discussed the potential for joint research. He said the partners can use their joint databases to examine thousands of patient drug records over many years to determine if they were protective or caused harm. Turner also stated that a tiny robot could be introduced into the body to fix blocked coronary arteries instead of pushing in a catheter.
Avi Domb, president of Lev Academic Center, addressed the competitive global funding environment. He said FourWard will need to prove itself by producing world-class research, nurturing breakthrough technologies, and creating an innovation ecosystem that attracts partners and investors.
No independent assessment was available for this report.