Last month, the University of Nevada, Reno was selected as a spoke for the Investor Catalyst Hub, a regional hub of ARPANET-H, a nationwide health innovation network launched by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). 

Based in the Greater Boston area and managed by VentureWell, the Investor Catalyst Hub seeks to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking and accessible biomedical solutions. It utilizes an innovative hub-and-spoke model designed to reach a wide range of organizations, with the ultimate aim of delivering scalable healthcare outcomes for all Americans.

“This opportunity is perfectly aligned with the University of Nevada, Reno mission to support discovery and bring transformative health innovations to life,” Mridul Gautam, vice president for research and innovation, said. “We look forward to collaborating with this national network to address today’s most pressing health challenges and amplify the impact of our research enterprise.” 

The University joins a dynamic nationwide network of organizations aligned to ARPA-H’s overarching mission to improve health outcomes through the following research focus areas: health science futures, proactive health, scalable solutions and resilient systems. Investor Catalyst Hub spokes represent a broad spectrum of expertise, geographic diversity and community perspectives. 

“Our vibrant spoke network reflects a robust range of experts with a shared commitment to closing gaps in innovation,” Chelsea Schiller, director of the Investor Catalyst Hub, said. “By building connections between our network and ARPA-H programs, we can help speed up the transition of innovative ideas into sustainable health solutions for all.” 

As an Investor Catalyst Hub spoke, the University gains access to potential funding and flexible contracting for faster award execution compared to traditional government contracts. Spoke membership also offers opportunities to provide input on ARPA-H challenge areas and priorities, along with access to valuable networking opportunities. 

“Being selected as part of the ARPA-H Investor Catalyst Hub Spoke Network is a tremendous opportunity for the University of Nevada,” Khaled Abul-Hassan, assistant vice president for Enterprise and Innovation, said. “This recognition highlights our commitment to advancing innovation, forging impactful partnerships and developing solutions to real-world health challenges.” 

The spoke network will continue to grow as the Investor Catalyst Hub expands its efforts, with applications being selected on a rolling basis. Interested organizations can visit their website to learn more or submit a membership application.