Give Your Life Sciences Startup a Quantum Boost in Cleveland

On March 20, 2023, the Cleveland Clinic and IBM unveiled the first quantum computer dedicated to healthcare research. Now, the Cleveland Clinic has opened the power of quantum computing to startup and early-stage life sciences companies with an initiative designed to propel their research and development to unparalleled new heights. It's called the Cleveland Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program.

This highly competitive program, designed for early- and growth-stage life sciences and healthcare technology companies, offers select startups access to the IBM Quantum System One at the Cleveland Clinic campus.

Up to four early-stage healthcare and life sciences startups will be chosen through a rigorous application process to participate in this 24-week immersive experience. The program empowers entrepreneurs to explore groundbreaking applications of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing to transform healthcare.

Participants will also benefit from collaboration opportunities with Cleveland Clinic clinicians and investigators, gaining valuable insights and expertise to enhance their research endeavors. The 24-week graduation program culminates with a demo day, providing a platform for cohort companies to showcase their breakthroughs to a curated audience of investors, clinical professionals, corporate partners, and ecosystem collaborators.

The Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program is strategically aligned with the pioneering work underway in Cleveland's Innovation District. This ambitious initiative brings together healthcare, education, and technology leaders, including Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland State University, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals, to establish Cleveland as a global hub for biomedical innovation. The dynamic and collaborative research and development efforts across the Cleveland Innovation District are expected to catalyze the creation of more than 20,000 new jobs by 2030.

"Ohio provides an unmatched environment for bold entrepreneurs looking to launch the next big thing in healthcare innovation," said J.P. Nauseef, President and CEO of JobsOhio. "With world-class research institutes, access to breakthrough technologies like quantum computing, and collaborative spaces like the Cleveland Innovation District, Ohio's thriving life science ecosystem empowers startups to achieve their inventive visions and positively impact the future of medicine."

Access to the IBM Quantum System One epitomizes the boundary-pushing research infrastructure available to startups in the Cleveland Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program and the Cleveland Innovation District. As part of the program, participants will engage with the Cleveland Clinic-IBM Discovery Accelerator team, a 10-year partnership that constitutes the technology foundation of biomedical research of the Cleveland Innovation District.

Ohio has become a trailblazer in quantum computing for healthcare and the go-to destination for ambitious health-tech entrepreneurs. The state is also prioritizing building a thriving homegrown biotech and pharma industry. Several of Ohio's leading hospitals have spawned successful startups, helping create a critical mass that attracts even more talent and entrepreneurship to the region. This mounting momentum demonstrates that Ohio provides fertile ground for innovative ventures aiming to transform healthcare.

Dr. Lara Jehi, Cleveland Clinic's Chief Research Information Officer, stated, "We look forward to welcoming the first class of startups to our new Cleveland Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program and helping them to leverage quantum to make breakthroughs in healthcare as we grow an ecosystem of advanced computation for healthcare and life sciences."

The application window for the Cleveland Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program is open until January 15, 2024, and the selected participants will be announced on March 15. The program is set to launch in April.

For more information and to apply, visit: Cleveland Clinic Quantum Innovation Catalyzer Program.