CHOC Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Terence Sanger recently co-hosted a panel of regulatory, clinical and engineering experts that showcased significant advancements in pediatric medical device technology.
The CHOC Research Institute co-sponsored the event with UCI Health and University Lab Partners (ULP), a non-profit incubator for life sciences innovation that involves the participation of CHOC researchers.
The panel featured authors who contributed to the paper, “Opportunities for FDA Regulatory Changes to Promote Pediatric Medical Device Innovation in the United States: Joint Recommendations From Pediatric Innovator Roundtables,” originally published in the IEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine.
The paper offers critical insights into FDA pediatric regulatory pathways.
Panelists provided perspectives on pediatric medical device development across various device classes. Discussions offered insights into the evolving landscape across ophthalmology, neurology, emergency medicine, behavioral health, neonatology, and oncology.
Jessica Richter, executive vice president, CRO & consulting services, Veranex
Jessica Richter, executive vice president of Veranex, a medical technology company that helps companies bring products to market, presented case studies and strategies for accelerating research and development in pediatric medical devices.
Frances J. Richmond, PhD, professor emeritus of regulatory and quality sciences at USC, provided insights on reimbursement, regulatory strategy, and business models for accelerating pediatric devices.
The event also featured Donny W. Suh, professor at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute and chief of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus at UCI, and Samir Shreim, PhD, vice president of research and development at Alio, a medical technology company.
Dr. Shreim, an entrepreneur, scientist, and inventor specializing in medical sensing and diagnostic technologies, earned his PhD from UCI.
Panel attendees engaged with experts, explored emerging trends, and discussed strategies to shape the future.
Upcoming conference
Panelists also highlighted key aspects of the forthcoming 2024 OC IMPACT Conference, scheduled for Nov. 6, 2024, at UC Irvine and co-hosted by CHOC Research.
The OC IMPACT conference will further explore the critical topics addressed by panelists and foster continued progress in pediatric technology. It will highlight critical regulatory reforms needed to encourage investment in pediatric devices, present information on new private public partnership programs at the Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and the National Science Foundation, and explore how removing barriers and increasing incentives can transform pediatric healthcare, ensuring that children receive the innovative medical devices they need and deserve.
Pitch competition
ULP will be holding its fourth pitch competition for life science startups in Orange County called Pitch. Launch. Grow.
Applicants can apply for one of three tracks — life science, medical technologies, and pediatric devices.
The life science track includes companies developing technology in the fields of drug discovery, pharmaceuticals, and therapeutics. The medical technologies track includes companies developing medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health innovations.
New for 2024 is the pediatric track. The winner will receive priority admission or renewal to ULP and a one-year lab space that includes a 6-foot-long bench. The total value of this award is $29,400. In addition, the winner will receive $2,500 from the Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics, an FDA-funded pediatric device accelerator, as well as an hour of virtual mentorship from Dr. Sanger.
