New Partnership Extends MTI’s Participation in the BARDA Accelerator Network

MedTech Innovator (MTI), the largest accelerator of medical technology companies in the world, today announced that its BioTools Innovator (BTI) accelerator program has been selected as the Enabling Technologies Hub in the next generation of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) Accelerator Network (BAN). The Network will foster the growth of the health security innovation ecosystem, with particular attention to next-generation medical countermeasures (MCMs).

BTI’s Enabling Technologies Hub, BioTools Innovator VANGUARD, is one of five strategic BAN hubs. VANGUARD will lead innovations to increase speed, capacity, portability, and scalability for drug discovery and development, biomanufacturing, and clinical research and clinical care coordination.

Since 2012, MTI has built a proven track record of identifying and transitioning R&D products of all stages of technology readiness to follow-on investment and successful commercialization. In 2021, MTI launched BTI, the first-ever accelerator dedicated to life science tools and diagnostics, which leverages MTI’s successful accelerator model to advance innovation in areas such as drug and vaccine discovery and development, diagnostics development, and biomanufacturing.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with BARDA. BTI’s proven systems and unparalleled ecosystem of experts from the world’s leading life sciences companies, biopharma representatives, investors, and subject matter experts in commercialization are well-suited to serve as the foundation for VANGUARD,” said Kathryn Zavala, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of BTI. “We look forward to working with BARDA to advance new technologies that will bolster health security and public safety.”

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD will select up to 10 companies annually to participate in its accelerator, a four-month program providing in-depth, customized mentorship from senior industry leaders, educational curriculum, and engagement with peers and advisors. VANGUARD will also award non-dilutive funding to support developing, evaluating, and validating technologies that advance BARDA’s mission as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to enhance pandemic preparedness and health security.

MTI’s involvement in BAN extends its participation as one of the original 13 accelerators in the first generation of the Network, initiated in 2018. As part of that network initiative, MTI aggregated and triaged hundreds of opportunities that fit BARDA’s prior interest areas, and referred over 200 companies to BARDA.

BioTools Innovator VANGUARD joins four other hubs, each focusing on different technology areas that comprise the BARDA Accelerator Network. Two additional hubs also announced are the Digital Health Hub, led by MATTER, focused on the development and application of digital health tools to empower people to prepare for and respond to health security threats and improve the continuum of clinical care, and the Special Populations Hub, led by Children’s National Hospital, focused on the acceleration and development of technologies and startups that promote health security for special populations, with a primary focus on pediatrics. Two hubs were announced in May 2024: The International Consortium for Research, Engineering, Acceleration of Technology Excellence (I-CREATE), led by University Lab Partners, focuses on medical diagnostics and devices; and the Vaccine Innovation and Therapeutics Acceleration Launchpad (VITAL), led by Start2 Group, focuses on therapeutics and vaccines innovation.

This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under agreement number 75A50124C00034.

About BioTools Innovator

Powered by MedTech Innovator, BioTools Innovator was established to advance cutting-edge research and improve human health by accelerating the growth of a broad spectrum of life science tools and diagnostics. BioTools Innovator matches industry leaders with innovative early stage and emerging growth biotechnology-focused companies for mentorship and support.

For more information about BioTools Innovator, visit the website, and follow the organization on LinkedIn.

About MedTech Innovator

MedTech Innovator is the world’s largest accelerator of medical technology companies. Its mission is to improve human health by accelerating the growth of companies that are transforming care. MedTech Innovator has been a catalyst for groundbreaking healthcare solutions, reviewing 12,000 applicants and fostering the growth of 612 graduate companies that have collectively raised over $8 billion in follow-on funding and introduced 325 products to the market, transforming the lives of millions.

For more information about MedTech Innovator, its annual programs, portfolio of industry-leading startups, and insights on trends, visit MTI’s website, follow the organization on LinkedIn, and subscribe to its monthly newsletter.

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