Advancing paediatric device innovation and commercialisation: a children’s hospital accelerator
Erica C. Arnold, Elizabeth A. Barmash, Jackson Weeks, Jonathon Campbell, McKay Noll, Kyle J. Van Arendonk, Cory N. CrissIntroduction
Paediatric biomedical device innovation lags significantly behind adult-focused development, contributing to unmet clinical needs for children. To address this gap, a large children’s hospital launched a 3-month pilot Innovation Accelerator aimed at providing paediatric clinician-innovators with structured education, longitudinal mentorship and practical tools to support paediatric medical technology commercialisation.
Methods
Eight paediatric clinicians with novel medical technology concepts participated in the Innovation Accelerator, which consisted of six biweekly sessions focused on device commercialisation. Each session included a free, open-access educational lecture for institutional staff delivered by subject-matter experts, followed by a closed workshop group session for innovation teams and post-session homework. Impact was evaluated using pre-Accelerator and post-Accelerator inventor and advisor surveys.
Results
Eight pre-Accelerator and post-Accelerator inventor surveys were distributed, with response rates of 75% (n=6) and 100% (n=8) respectively. Seven of eight (87.5%) advisors completed the post-Accelerator survey. Inventors demonstrated substantial gains in confidence navigating the US Food and Drug Administration regulatory process (median score: 3.0 vs 8.5, p=0.04) and understanding the economic and reimbursement landscape (3.5 vs 8.5, p=0.006). Advisers rated the Accelerator’s effectiveness in preparing inventors for commercialisation with a median score of 8/10 (IQR: 7–8.5). Following the Accelerator, 87.5% of inventors (n=7) reported plans to pursue funding.
Conclusion
This pilot Innovation Accelerator demonstrates the feasibility and early impact of an institutionally embedded intervention designed to accelerate paediatric medical device commercialisation readiness. By integrating clinician insight, engineering support, regulatory expertise and commercialisation mentorship, the Accelerator offers a scalable framework for academic health systems seeking to strengthen paediatric innovation pipelines.