AMA joins IDEA Labs' efforts to boost healthcare innovation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has teamed up with IDEA Labs, a student-run biotechnology accelerator, to develop new healthcare innovations.

Through the initiative, AMA and IDEA Labs will work with entrepreneurs at Washington University in St. Louis, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Minnesota on the innovations. 

The partnership aims to connect budding companies with the talent, mentors and investors needed to accelerate medical technology development and further entrepreneurial education, according to an announcement.

"Innovation is a key driver in making the health system work better for everyone," AMA CEO and Executive Vice President James L. Madara, M.D., said in the announcement. "The AMA looks forward to working together with Idea Labs to help young entrepreneurs identify and understand key challenges in modern medicine and inspire innovation that will deliver meaningful solutions for patients and physicians." 

The partnership is part of the AMA's efforts to increase it's role in health IT. The association recently offered $50,000 for ideas on how technology can improve medical education and patient care and assist physicians in their work. In addition, in January the AMA announced a $15 million investment to help launch Health2047 Inc., a company based in Silicon Valley to further collaboration between healthcare companies and tech companies to create new tools for healthcare and medical practice.

It also expanded its partnership with Chicago health care technology incubator MATTER to enable entrepreneurs to see how their products work in simulated spaces before sending them out into the world.

To learn more:
-  here's the announcement

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