An expanded innovation challenge highlights exciting developments in clinical entrepreneurship

November 2023 | Clinical Innovation Partnerships & Community

After 84 submissions, and nine semifinalists, it had come down to the final three at the second annual Innovation Challenge hosted by Point32Health. The three finalists – Cognoa, Curio Digital Therapeutics and Movn Health – had all presented their solutions to the panel of judges, and were awaiting the results to learn who would get to work with Point32Health on a pilot or program featuring their unique health care solution.

Regardless of the eventual winner, each solution met the criteria set forth by the Point32Health Clinical Innovation team when they initiated this challenge: “To facilitate the discovery, development, and implementation of programs, services or interventions to improve health outcomes and increase affordability.”

In an expanded day featuring thought-provoking discussion during the first-ever Innovation Challenge panel series and energetic presentations by the three finalists, the future of health care innovation was on full display.

Meet the finalists

  • Cognoa, Palo Alto, California
    Cognoa Developed Canvas Dx, the first-and-only FDA-authorized autism diagnostic for children starting at 18 months. Using responsible AI, Canvas Dx empowers more doctors to quickly, accurately, and fairly diagnose developmental risk, overcoming barriers of gender, race, and socioeconomics. Facilitating early diagnoses – in days, not years – Canvas Dx ensures more children receive life-changing early interventions.
  • Curio Digital Therapeutics, Princeton, New Jersey
    Curio Digital Therapeutics pioneered a digital health platform for women. Curio-ITM, is an AI-Analytics tool that predicts/stratifies pregnant women pre-delivery/third trimester at risk for depression.  MamaliftTM, FDA Class 1 software used by Moms: leveraging gamification/CBT and health coaches for management of anxiety, mood disorders and postpartum depression (PPD).
  • Movn Health, Irvine, California
    Movn Health is a leading telehealth provider for remote cardiac rehab and prevention. In partnership with health plans and providers, they close cardiovascular care gaps with an evidence-based approach. Research shows Movn members exercise more, adhere to medications, and experience lower blood pressure, depression, readmissions, and care costs.

Panel discussions & featured speakers

 Panel #1: Implementation Success

In this program, panelists shared their best practices for successful pilot implementation including how to get into the collaborative mindset, engage internal stakeholders, work with the member and provider population, overcome obstacles and learn from each experience to build on success.

The featured speakers included:

  • Dawn Cardeiro, Director, Precision Medicine, Clinical Innovation at Point32Health
  • Monica Fredrick, Senior Vice President Strategic Accounts at Freespira and 2022 Innovation Challenge Winner
  • Ron Iverson, Director, Quality and Safety, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Boston Medical Center
  • Anwell Wilbekin, Senior Director, National Accounts at GRAIL

Panel #2: Health Equity Lens

Moderated by Point32Health director of pharmaceutical transformation Gail Ryan, this group discussed our collective commitment to quality of care for all people, and highlighted Point32Health’s NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation.

The featured speakers included:

  • Gail Ryan, Director, Pharmaceutical Transformation, Clinical Innovation at Point32Health
  • Annie Murphy, Chief Commercial Officer at Foundation Medicine, Inc.
  • Wendy Williams, Director of Health Equity at Point32Health
  • Kamakshi Raman, Vice President, Shared Services – Analytics and Insights at Point32Health

Panel #3: Demonstrating Your Value

The final discussion was led by the director of clinical innovation at Point32Health, Jason Parent, who discussed our organization’s commitment to innovation and growth. In this panel, we explored the various perspectives of different stakeholders to assess value in potential collaborations.

The featured speakers included:

  • Jason Parent, Director of Clinical Innovation at Point32Health
  • Samantha Metayer, Vice President, Medical Cost Innovation and Strategy at Point32Health
  • Patricia Forts, Director, Business Development at Point32Health
  • Peter Bell, Director, Commercial Product Strategy and Innovation at Point32Health

The 2023 innovation challenge winner

 At the conclusion of the program, Kate Wallis, vice president of clinical innovation at Point32Health announced the winner of the 2023 Innovation Challenge as:

Movn Health.

The Movn Health team was on hand to accept their award and voiced their excitement to work together with the Point32Health Clinical Innovation team to get socialize their telehealth cardiac rehab platform.

The second annual Innovation Challenge was a widely successful undertaking by the entire Point32Health Clinical Innovation team. This group, which actively seeks and invests in opportunities to gather real-world evidence, build partnerships, conduct research and accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and programs, is comprised of health care professionals from a wide variety of clinical backgrounds. Learn more about the team’s work to find solutions that improve health outcomes, increase access and affordability of care and help more people achieve their best health.