J&J, PCH launch an accelerator for consumer health hardware

Hardware for Health

Johnson and Johnson is looking to benefit from the renaissance in the medical hardware space. To that end, its Johnson and Johnson Innovation (JJI) unit is teaming-up with hardware manufacturing company PCH to create an accelerator of sorts called Hardware for Health, to help companies experimenting with novel devices in the consumer health market.

“There are new devices, new software algorithms, advanced sensor technologies, and novel imaging innovations,” Stacy Feld, Senior Director of Consumer Scientific Innovation at JJI, told MobiHealthNews. “And as these new hardware solutions are converging on the consumer health ecosystem, that’s enabling new solutions for consumers to engage in self-care and general health and wellness.”

Hardware for Health will accept companies making medical devices as well as consumer-facing activity trackers.The program won’t be called an accelerator, despite bearing many similarities with such programs. According to Feld, it won’t have defined timetables for classes or a “one size fits all” approach to supporting companies. Companies accepted to the program will benefit from the free office space and funding, as well as consulting services that include product design assistance, help with distribution and marketing and legal advice.

“The program will be designed to take the company and the entrepreneurial team from concept to consumer, focused on getting companies with a particular prototype to scale and helping them navigate development and commercialization,” Feld said.

Hardware for Health will accept companies making medical devices as well as consumer-facing activity trackers, provided they target an area of unmet need.

“We are interested in being a part of this ecosystem and supporting startups in all of these spaces,” she concluded.