The Innovation and Digital Health Accelerator (IDHA) at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Boston Pediatric Device Consortium (BPDC) has announced the launch of Boston Pediatric Device Strategic Partner Challenge to advance the development of novel pediatric medical device innovations. This national Challenge will award up to $250,000 in grants and access for entrepreneurs and innovators with ideas and inventions that address the need for advances in pediatric medical device development.
Challenge Details
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.
The Challenge is funded in part by the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development through a grant to the Boston Pediatric Device Consortium.
Application Criteria
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: cardiovascular/endovascular, asthma, obesity, sepsis and general pediatrics. The deadline for submissions is 11:59 p.m. ET on October 13, 2017.
Applicants will be reviewed and vetted by the BPDC and strategic partners. Finalists will be selected and invited to Boston in early December to pitch their device to a panel of Challenge co-hosts and strategic partner representatives, including leading clinical, business, and technical experts, and Challenge winners will be announced in January 2018. Submissions must be classified as pediatric medical devices in accordance with section 201(h) of the Federal Food Drug & Cosmetic Act.
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. Challenge co-hosts and partners will provide brief overviews of their focus areas.
For more information about the challenge, visit www.bostonpdc.org for details
