Calling all medical device innovators: $250K pediatric device competition now accepting proposals

WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) is now accepting proposals for medical devices that address a significant, yet unmet pediatric need. This year, up to six innovations will be awarded up to $50,000 each during the "Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids!" competition on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016 at the nation's leading pediatric innovation symposium hosted by the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children's National Health System.

The FDA-funded consortium, led by the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland, invites proposals from innovators – researchers, entrepreneurs, and clinicians – with a pediatric medical device concept that lends itself to commercialization. In addition to the prize money, winners will receive consultation services from NCC-PDI. For competition details, click here.

"This year, we are combining our annual FDA-funded consortium pitch competition with our Institute's annual symposium to bring greater attention to promising devices and give competition participants more exposure to investors, policy makers and children's hospital executives that evaluate pediatric innovations," said Kolaleh Eskandanian, PhD, Executive Director of the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and NCC-PDI. "Our goal is to bring needed devices to children faster and to focus greater attention to helping bridge the gap that often follows the prototyping phase in the device development life cycle."

Competition finalists will pitch their medical device to a distinguished panel of judges at the Sheikh Zayed Institute's fourth annual Pediatric Surgical Innovation Symposium, "Helping Kids and the Economy Grow Stronger Through Innovation," at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC. The one-day conference will bring together innovators, local economic development strategists, investors, patient advocates, and policy makers to stimulate pediatric device innovation and bring solutions to market faster.

For symposium agenda and registration, visit www.pediatric-surgery-symposium.org.

About Children's National Health System
Children's National Health System, based in Washington, DC, has been serving the nation's children since 1870. Children's National is ranked in the top 20 in every specialty evaluated by U.S. News & World Report; one of only four children's hospitals in the nation to earn this distinction. Designated a Leapfrog Group Top Hospital and a two-time recipient of Magnet® status, this pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty outpatient centers. Home to the Children's Research Institute and the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation, Children's National is one of the nation's top NIH-funded pediatric institutions. Children's National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. For more information, visit ChildrensNational.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

SOURCE Children's National Health System

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