Wyss Institute at Harvard University joins a nationwide network working to accelerate transformative health solutions
(BOSTON) — The Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, an innovative leader in developing translational research for solutions in healthcare and sustainability, announced today that it was selected as a 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 seeks to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking and 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 thrilled to join the ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub as it perfectly aligns with our mission of advancing healthcare through innovative, collaborative efforts,” said Angelika Fretzen, the Wyss Institute’s Chief Operating Officer and Technology Translation Director. “Cross-organizational collaboration is at the core of the Wyss model and ethos. This opportunity will allow us to accelerate our impact on patient health by working with a diverse network of partners dedicated to transformative solutions.”
The Wyss Institute 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 embodies 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 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, the Wyss Institute 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.