Boston Children's Hospital Launches Pediatric Medical Device Challenge
The Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator (IDHA) at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Boston Pediatric Device Consortium (BPDC) announced a call for applications for the Boston Pediatric Device Strategic Partner Challenge to advance the development of novel pediatric medical device innovations.
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. ET on October 13, 2017. The national challenge will award up to $250,000 in grants and access to innovators to advance technologies that bridge gaps in pediatric treatment and care.
Challenge winners will receive a combination of up to $50,000 in funding per grant award and/or mentorship opportunities. Challenge co-hosts BPDC and IDHA have joined with strategic partners – Boston Scientific, CryoLife, Edwards Lifesciences, Health Advances, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Smithwise and Ximedica – to provide strategic support for challenge winners focused on accelerating their paths to commercialization. Mentorship may include product manufacturing support, business plan development and partnerships with industry leaders.
“Innovation in medical devices with the potential to improve the health of children and adolescents continues to lag in comparison to those for adults,” Pedro del Nido, M.D., leader of the Boston Pediatric Device Consortium and Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital, said in a statement. “With our partners in the Boston Pediatric Device Strategic Partner Challenge and our ongoing efforts, we are committed to finding new ways to provide the resources, mentorship and strategic advising to innovators that can advance technology development and bridge gaps in pediatric care.”
Applications are sought for medical devices that serve the pediatric population. Technologies are accepted at any stage of development, with specific interest in five focus areas: asthma, obesity, sepsis, cardiovascular/endovascular and general pediatrics.
The Challenge is funded in part by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development through a grant to the Boston Pediatric Device Consortium.
Those interested in participating in the Challenge who are located in the greater Boston metropolitan area are invited to attend an in-person Challenge kickoff event on Tuesday, September 19 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. ET at Hatch Fenway at Pulse@MassChallenge HQ, 401 Park Drive, 8th Floor, Boston, MA 02215. Registration is requested by Friday, September 15 at https://goo.gl/forms/YWKfL2ODIEENH8LW2.
