Sharp HealthCare is partnering with local incubator EvoNexus to help evaluate cutting-edge medical technology coming from San Diego’s startups, the nonprofit announced Wednesday. Sharp gets a first look at the latest technology, while the EvoNexus startups get to fine-tune their products alongside medical professionals.
Technology solutions for health care are moving so quickly — from sensors and wearable devices to diagnostic tools and artificial intelligence — that hospitals can’t keep up, said Rory Moore, CEO and cofounder of EvoNexus.
That’s where Moore’s nonprofit can help Sharp vet earlystage technologies that show promise and might be worthy of the hospital’s consideration in the future.
The nonprofit incubator has helped more than 250 startups through mentorship, fundraising and acquisitions. Since 2010 it has helped several San Diego medical technology firms, like Carlsmed, which makes customized devices for spine surgery.
Companies that participate in EvoNexus’ incubator already benefit from the structured mentoring and pro-bono guidance from local experts. Now, Moore explained, this partnership with Sharp creates more access to medical professionals and clinicians who can offer feedback as these startups grow.
Moore added that it also creates more opportunities for entrepreneurs venturing into the health care sector.
It creates a promising pipeline for earlystage solutions to reach medical professionals who will actually use it every day, said Rick LeMoine, M.D., chief medical information officer for Sharp HealthCare. Earlier this year, the nonprofit hospital system launched Sharp Ventures, an investment arm focused on being a part of next-generation technology.
LeMoine said Sharp chose to concentrate its efforts on embracing the changes in technology so it could “be a player in what’s happening, rather than have things happen to us.”
Sharp’s increased investment in the future of health care includes its new Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center to promote research, workforce training and technology development.
Gaining access to a real intensive care unit in a hospital is nearly impossible due to patient privacy and safety restrictions. But, as EvoNexus startups grow, LeMoine said the innovation center offers replicated emergency, intensive care and delivery rooms to do proof of concept and pilot projects.
While many academic institutions have an innovation arm, LeMoine said this partnership between the health system and EvoNexus is a new offering in San Diego County.
