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Moving FourWard: Inside Jerusalem's ambitious bid to reinvent medical innovation

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources New plan
  • Jerusalem has launched FourWard, Israel's first joint academic body to foster medical and healthcare innovation.
  • The initiative unites Hebrew University, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Azrieli College, and Lev Academic Center with city and development authorities.
  • FourWard aims to create a collaborative platform for research, commercialization, startups, and human capital development, strengthening Jerusalem's innovation ecosystem.

Jerusalem is positioning itself as a leading hub for medical and healthcare innovation with the launch of FourWard, Israel's first joint academic body dedicated to fostering research, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement in the capital.

When multidisciplinary exchanges are made in a single place, “rubbing elbows” in meeting rooms and even over a cup of coffee, multidisciplinary teams create a synergy that produces groundbreaking results.

— Article textExplaining the rationale behind the physical collaboration hub for FourWard.

The ambitious initiative brings together four key institutions: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Shaare Zedek Medical Center (SZMC), Azrieli Jerusalem Academic College of Engineering, and Lev Academic Center (Jerusalem College of Technology). These academic and medical powerhouses are collaborating with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Development Authority to create an unprecedented platform for synergy.

FourWard's core mission is to promote applied research, accelerate technology commercialization, and facilitate the establishment of new startups. By encouraging 'rubbing elbows' among researchers, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, the initiative seeks to generate groundbreaking results that might not emerge from isolated efforts. A central hub building is planned to physically connect the partners, fostering a dynamic environment for multidisciplinary exchange.

It officially launched last week at HUJI’s Givat Ram campus, but the building where researchers will meet will eventually be erected near Road 16 and the Begin Highway – a central hub connecting all four partners.

— Article textDetailing the launch and future infrastructure plans for FourWard.

This collaboration is expected to significantly bolster Jerusalem's status as a major growth engine for Israel. It aims to cultivate advanced human capital, forge stronger connections within the knowledge-intensive industries, and attract investment. The initiative underscores Jerusalem's commitment to becoming an international center for innovation, bridging cutting-edge research with practical application and commercial success.

It is our first East Mediterannean investment, and we are definitely interested in developing it further.

— Vitaliy BaylarbayovSOCAR's deputy vice president for investments and marketing, referring to the Tamar stake.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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