HMH Joins ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub Spoke Network

On Nov 8, 2023

Hackensack Meridian Health has been selected as an inaugural spoke for the Investor Catalyst Hub, a regional hub of ARPANET-H, a nationwide health innovation network launched by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

Based in the Greater Boston area and managed by VentureWell, the Investor Catalyst Hub aims to accelerate the commercialization of practical, accessible biomedical solutions. It utilizes an innovative hub-and-spoke model designed to reach a wide range of nonprofit organizations and Minority-Serving Institutions, with the ultimate aim of delivering scalable healthcare outcomes for all Americans.

“We are proud to be part of the inaugural group of these distinguished institutions,” said Robert C. Garrett, FACHE, the chief executive officer of Hackensack Meridian Health. “Our health network embraces innovation as we look toward the future of health care. We are part of a group that seeks to do the same across the nation, for everyone’s benefit.”

“This is an incredible distinction, and we embrace the opportunity,” said Ihor Sawczuk, M.D., FACS, president of Academics, Research and Innovation at Hackensack Meridian Health, the founding chair of the Hackensack Meridian Health Research Institute, and the associate dean of Clinical Integration and professor and chair emeritus of Urology at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

Hackensack Meridian Health joins a dynamic nationwide network of organizations aligned to ARPA-H’s overarching mission to improve health outcomes through the following research focus areas: health science futures, proactive health, scalable solutions, and resilient systems. Investor Catalyst Hub spokes represent a broad spectrum of expertise, geographic diversity, and community perspectives.

“Our spoke network represents a rich and representative range of perspectives and expertise,” said Mark Marino, vice president of Growth Strategy and Development for VentureWell and project director for the Investor Catalyst Hub. “Our spokes comprise a richly diverse network that will be instrumental in ensuring that equitable health solutions reach communities across every state and tribal nation.”

As an Investor Catalyst Hub spoke, Hackensack Meridian Health gains access to potential funding and flexible contracting for faster award execution compared to traditional government contracts. Spoke membership also offers opportunities to provide input on ARPA-H challenge areas and priorities, along with access to valuable networking opportunities and a robust resource library.

The spoke network, which includes an illustrious group of institutions across the country, will continue to grow as The Investor Catalyst Hub expands its efforts, with applications being selected on a rolling basis. Interested organizations can visit https://investorcatalysthub.org/ to learn more or submit a membership application.

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