Tufts has been selected as a member—or “spoke”—of 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 Greater Boston, the Investor Catalyst Hub seeks to accelerate the commercialization of groundbreaking and accessible biomedical solutions. The effort connects researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors in order to scale health research and venture investment capabilities, create new delivery pathways, and help solve significant problems in health. 

The hub-and-spoke model has been designed to reach a wide range of nonprofits and minority-serving institutions of higher education with the aim of delivering improved health outcomes for all Americans. 

“Tufts is pleased to be joining other organizations that are likewise aligned to ARPA-H’s mission of improving health outcomes, building resilient systems, and devising scalable solutions,” said Caroline Genco, provost and senior vice president. “Across our research portfolios and educational offerings, the Tufts community is poised and united in its commitment to confront and address the most significant challenges of our time, of which improving the health of all Americans is a topmost priority.”

As an Investor Catalyst Hub spoke, Tufts has 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 networking opportunities and a resource library.

“With our faculty conducting translational research in a wide range of health and biomedical disciplines, Investor Catalyst Hub membership is a natural fit for Tufts,” said Bernard Arulanandam, vice provost for research. “We welcome the opportunity that the hub offers to further speed the transition of our faculty members’ innovative ideas into practical health solutions accessible to all who need them.”

Other Hub Spoke members include the Broad Institute, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The Investor Catalyst Hub is managed by VentureWell, a nonprofit that funds and trains faculty and student innovators to create successful, socially beneficial businesses.

“Our spoke network embodies a rich and representative range of perspectives and expertise,” said Mark Marino, Investor Catalyst Hub project director and vice president of growth strategy and development for VentureWell. “Our spokes comprise a diverse network that will be instrumental in ensuring that equitable health solutions reach communities across every state and tribal nation.”