CobiCure Fellowship for Pediatric MedTech Innovation
CobiCure, LLC—a mission-driven non-profit within the Advancium Health Network—has launched the CobiCure Fellowship for Pediatric MedTech Innovation. Built in partnership with five FDA Pediatric Device Consortiums, the fellowship is designed to close long-standing gaps in how medical devices for children are developed. For years, pediatric devices have trailed adult technologies, largely because the market is seen as smaller and, as a result, has drawn less funding and fewer resources. This program sets out to change that by investing in people and ideas focused squarely on children’s needs.
Tackling the Barriers in Pediatric Device Development
Pediatric device innovation has lagged behind adult care in part because returns on investment are often lower and funding is harder to secure. Innovators can find themselves caught between clinical urgency and limited support. The fellowship addresses these realities head-on with training tailored to pediatric care and mentorship that helps teams move from a well-defined need to a viable solution. The focus is practical: build the skills, habits, and networks that make thoughtful pediatric innovation possible—and sustainable.
Support and Mentorship for Innovators
Selected fellows receive financial support and a structured mentorship program spanning the year. They’ll take part in workshops led by experienced voices in medical device innovation, learning how to scope a need, pressure-test concepts, and plan for responsible commercialization in pediatric settings. Institutions such as Stanford Biodesign and Deerfield Management play a central role, offering grounded, needs-based training and guidance that speaks to the realities of pediatric care—where safety, usability, and access matter at every step.
Expert Guidance to Shape the Future of Pediatric MedTech
Dr. Janene Fuerch, Co-Director of the UCSF-Stanford Pediatric Device Consortia, underscored the urgency behind the effort. “Training and educating innovators with the unique skill set for pediatric device innovation is crucial to ensuring these patients are proactively included in the health technology development process,” she noted. Her point is simple and pointed: unless we train innovators to build for children from the start, pediatric patients remain an afterthought. This fellowship offers a place to learn, practice, and contribute in a space that has too often been overlooked.
Leading the Charge
Emma Moran, Ph.D., CobiCure’s Director of Strategy and Development, framed the goal plainly: “Our goal is to equip fellows with the skills, tools, and networks necessary to become leading innovators in the pediatric MedTech space. This initiative expands the technological pipeline available for pediatric patients while aligning with CobiCure’s mission to drive transformative change through innovative solutions.” In short, the fellowship is about building capability—so the next set of devices for children isn’t left waiting.
Meet the 2024-2025 CobiCure Fellows
The inaugural 2024-2025 class brings together innovators committed to advancing pediatric healthcare through thoughtful device development:
- James Reinhardt, PhD | Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium, Nationwide Children's Hospital
- Jhalak Mehta, MS | Southwest-Midwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital
- Juliana Perl, MS | UCSF-Stanford Pediatric Device Consortium, Stanford University
- Stefano Pezzato, MD | Alliance for Pediatric Device Innovation, Children's National Hospital
- Tamara Lambert, PhD | The Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Reflecting on this group, Dr. Moran shared: “These fellows bring a diverse range of expertise and a shared passion for advancing pediatric healthcare. We are excited to be part of their journey as they work to address the underserved area of pediatric MedTech.” It’s a cohort built to learn from each other—and to move real ideas closer to clinical use.
About CobiCure and Advancium Health Network
CobiCure focuses on the critical gaps in pediatric care by accelerating the development of medical devices and treatments that can change a child’s hospital stay, recovery, or long-term health. The organization draws on resources from Deerfield Management and collaborates with a broad network of partners to prioritize life-saving solutions over traditional profit models. The throughline is clear: build what kids need, and make sure it reaches them.
Advancium Health Network, a public charity, works to remove barriers in healthcare by blending for-profit infrastructure with non-profit purpose. Its model supports a spectrum of efforts—from early-stage innovations to advances in pediatric MedTech and rare diseases—so that underserved populations aren’t left behind. The aim isn’t volume; it’s impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the CobiCure Fellowship?
The fellowship trains and mentors innovators to develop medical devices for children, addressing long-standing funding and resource gaps that have slowed pediatric MedTech compared with adult care.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Innovators working on pediatric healthcare and medical device development—especially those committed to needs-based design for children—are eligible to apply.
3. What kind of support will fellows receive?
Fellows receive financial backing, yearlong mentorship, and access to educational workshops focused on needs assessment, design, and commercialization for pediatric devices.
4. Who are the notable partners involved in the fellowship?
Key partners include Stanford Biodesign and Deerfield Management, which contribute training, expertise, and guidance specific to pediatric innovation.
5. How can CobiCure’s initiative impact pediatric healthcare?
By equipping innovators with practical skills and support, the fellowship can accelerate the development of devices tailored to children’s needs, improving access to safer, more effective care.
