€22 Million Grant to Revolutionize Treatment Adherence in Cardio-Metabolic Diseases
Bar-Ilan University researcher leads groundbreaking international collaboration with Novo Nordisk and Pfizer to transform patient care
In a landmark achievement for cardio-metabolic disease treatment, Dr. Sivan Spitzer from Bar-Ilan University's Faculty of Medicine has secured a prestigious €22 million EU-IHI grant. The five-year project, named CAREPATH, aims to develop an innovative platform addressing one of healthcare's most persistent challenges: medication adherence among patients with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
The initiative brings together leading researchers from six countries and pharmaceutical giants including Novo Nordisk and Pfizer, marking a unique collaboration between academia and industry. "Our modular platform will integrate cutting-edge digital and analog tools specifically designed for people with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases," explains Dr. Spitzer, who serves as the Deputy Director of the Galilee Diabetes Sphere.
This breakthrough comes at a crucial time, as obesity-related health conditions affect millions worldwide, linking to over 200 health conditions including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Despite recent advances in treatment options, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, patient adherence to medication remains a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally.
CAREPATH's comprehensive approach includes creating a knowledge base of successful interventions, developing customized toolkits through patient-centered design and hackathons across participating countries, and implementing large-scale effectiveness studies. The project emphasizes cultural adaptation and local relevance, partnering with patient organizations like the Israeli Diabetes Association.
"CAREPATH represents an exceptional fusion of research, technological innovation, and international collaboration," says Dr. Spitzer. "Our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for millions of patients worldwide."
A Milestone for Bar-Ilan University
This remarkable achievement marks the first time that Bar-Ilan University has received funding from the EU-IHI program, highlighting the university's growing impact in the field of medical research and its commitment to improving global health outcomes.
Dr. Spitzer concludes, "CAREPATH is a vision of collaboration, research, and innovation that will positively impact the lives of millions of patients worldwide. This project exemplifies the power of international partnerships and interdisciplinary research to tackle some of the most pressing healthcare challenges of our time."