Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center announced last week the launch of a joint research institute aimed at advancing biotech innovation, backed by a $120 million investment.
The first-of-its-kind facility in Israel will focus on cancer research, genetic engineering, 3D printing of organs and tissues, AI-powered medical data analysis, medical robotics and the development of advanced medical devices. It will be built within Sheba’s Health Tech Valley, a new medical innovation campus in Ramat Gan owned by Migdal Insurance and Financial Holdings.
The institute is designed to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application, aiming to fast-track new treatments and technologies from lab to bedside. It will operate under a model inspired by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), known for significantly reducing the time needed to turn research into treatment.
“The establishment of this institute fits into the broader picture of Israel’s biotechnology boom,” said Prof. Arie Zaban, president of Bar-Ilan University, who signed the agreement alongside Prof. Yitshak Kreiss, director general of Sheba Medical Center. “Our collaboration with Sheba will significantly accelerate the transition from laboratory discovery to clinical application.”
The institute will be jointly managed by the two institutions and will support research in computational biology, sensor technologies, the human microbiome and personalized medicine.
“Sheba’s Health Tech Valley, in collaboration with partners like Bar-Ilan University, is turning healthcare into a growth engine for Israel’s economy and industry,” said Kreiss.
The new campus will include high-tech labs, research hubs and sustainable infrastructure and will promote partnerships with international tech and healthcare companies. Sheba Medical Center is ranked eighth globally by Newsweek for its medical innovation and care.
Bar-Ilan University brings to the partnership recognized strengths in medicine, engineering, AI and bioinformatics. Zohar Yinon, CEO of the university, said the initiative aims to make Israel a global hub for medical science and innovation.
The project has already led to the development of startups and new treatments. Its founders are calling on researchers in Israel and abroad to join the effort.
Prof. Dror Harats, chairman of the research authority at Sheba, said the institute would not only improve public health but also act as a vehicle for economic growth. “This is a major step in making Israel a world leader in biomedical research,” he said.
The development is part of a long-term vision to turn the Health Tech Valley into Israel’s leading medical innovation ecosystem, located less than a kilometer from Bar-Ilan’s main campus.
“This unique project has the potential to be a national growth engine,” said Tal Hauptman, real estate manager at Migdal Insurance.
Photos provided by Bar-Ilan University show the September 17 launch event with officials from both institutions and a simulation of the future campus.