Abstract
OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Helping researchers assess and effectively translate innovations into healthcare improvements is a complex process (Terry et. al., 2013). The Clinical Translational Science Awards (CTSA)—supported by the National Institute of Health (NIH) under the auspices of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)— provide the resources and support needed to strengthen our nation’s clinical and translational research (CTR) enterprise. In 2008, Stanford University was awarded a CTSA from the NIH, establishing Spectrum (the Stanford Center for Clinical and Translational Research and Education). Under the Spectrum umbrella, the Byers Center for Biodesign manages the MedTech Pilot Program with the goal of translating discoveries into novel health technologies that address important unmet health needs. The MedTech Pilot Program is an innovative funding mechanism that seeks to (1) stimulate clinical translational research, (2) help promising projects bridge the gap between the bench and the patients’ bedside, and (3) encourage collaborative, transdisciplinary work. Specifically, the Pilot Program offers up to $50,000 to support projects involving medical devices and mobile technologies used for (1) therapeutic applications and (2) device-based patient-specific (or POC) diagnostic applications. This analysis of the MedTech Pilot Program will: 1) describe the Program’s structure and process; 2) highlight the intensive, hands-on mentorship and practical guidance awardees receive that enables them to more efficiently and effectively advance their projects toward patient care; and 3) characterize the progress of the 36 funded projects. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Key elements of the Pilot Program’s infrastructure and mentoring processes as they relate to project outcomes were identified. Additionally, outcomes data were collected from two sources: (1) annual survey of Pilot Awardees and (2) publicly available information relevant to the pilot projects. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The Pilot Program’s framework and infrastructure has supported a diverse group of transdisciplinary projects. These projects were evaluated using both traditional and non-traditional metrics (e.g., patents, startups, publications). The initial investment of $1.5 million to fund 36 projects has led to over $88 million dollars in additional funding. Additionally, taking full advantage of the expertise in Silicon Valley, strong mentorship has helped advance projects along the clinical and translational path. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The Pilot Program has benefited Stanford innovators and researchers by providing seed funding to help promising projects bridge the gap between the bench and the bedside. The intensive, hands-on mentorship, early pilot funding, and practical guidance pilot awardees receive effectively help translate their technologies into patient care.
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