Hub enables cross-sector Greater Washington ecosystem to prepare for the coming quantum transformation, develop diverse and inclusive workforce for transition
September 26, 2022 (Washington, D.C.)— Today, Connected DMV and a cross-sector coalition of partners from across Greater Washington announced more than $600,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to help accelerate the development of the Life Sciences and Healthcare Quantum Innovation Hub. The Hub will establish a significant regional capability to accelerate the development and adoption of use-inspired solutions for the emerging quantum era. It also enables a cross-sector ecosystem to prepare for the coming quantum transformation and develop a diverse and inclusive workforce for this transition.
Life Sciences and Healthcare Quantum Innovation Hub partners include: Cleveland Clinic, U.S. Pharmacopeia, The University of Maryland, George Mason University, Howard University, Maryland Tech Council, Montgomery College, the University of the District of Columbia Community College, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, and others. The cross-sector, cross-jurisdictional Hub cohort will include at least 25 organizations representing quantum end-use organizations and quantum technology builders to provide strategic direction and accelerate near-term applications.
In the announcement from the EDA, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo said, “The Economic Development Administration is dedicated to working with communities to support their locally-driven strategies to expand their economies. This EDA investment will support a robust ecosystem for next generation startups and entrepreneurs in the biotech industries to stay competitive, build their companies and invest in the Washington, D.C. region.”
“Quantum will soon deliver innovations that will transform how the world lives, works, and learns,” said Stu Solomon, President and CEO, Connected DMV. “With a rapidly expanding quantum ecosystem, world-renowned universities, company headquarters, industry and technology leaders, and policymakers, there’s no better place than Greater Washington to launch a hub such as this one. This investment from EDA represents another key milestone in our work to accelerate a quantum innovation growth cluster to drive equitable economic development in this region and beyond.”
“Cleveland Clinic is pleased to serve as the leading healthcare system in this new coalition focused on quantum computing, which we believe holds great promise for accelerating the pace of scientific discovery,” said Dr. Lara Jehi, MD, Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Research Information Officer. “Through Cleveland Clinic's recently launched Discovery Accelerator, we have made a significant investment in computing technologies and are in the midst of construction of the first quantum computer dedicated to life sciences and healthcare. Quantum, AI and other emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionize medicine, and we are thrilled to be a foundational partner to develop and prioritize use-cases and workforce needs that can accelerate pathways to value for the life sciences and healthcare sector.”
The Hub will be part of Connected DMV’s Potomac Quantum Innovation Center initiative, which aims to develop the Greater Washington region as a premier global ecosystem for quantum computing, sensing, communications, and materials development and establish the region as a global top five quantum-ready region by market size and talent pool in five years. It will work in close collaboration with the Global Pandemic Prevention and Biodefense Center, located in Rockville, Maryland in Montgomery County at the offices of U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP).
“For over 200 years, U.S. Pharmacopeia has fostered innovation by building trust where it matters most: through quality in the world's medicines, dietary supplements and foods. USP helps protect patient safety and improve the health of people around the world through rigorous science and the public quality standards we set,” said Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D. CEO, USP. “For over 50 years, USP has made Montgomery County its home and is proud to support this effort to advance this critical technology and strengthen the DMV area’s leadership in healthcare innovation.”
The scope of the planning grant includes developing the Hub strategy; formalizing partnerships and ecosystems; establishing a framework for sustained engagement, governance, and operations; and creating an enduring sustainability plan. The Hub also aligns with key national and global efforts at the intersection of life sciences and quantum technologies. The EDA planning grant accelerates the regional vision to build out a robust quantum innovation engine and includes a plan for expanding Hub capabilities to other key industry sectors, driving entrepreneurship, enabling shared infrastructure, and creating opportunities for new investment.
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About Connected DMV
Connected DMV is an initiatives-based, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that works with regional organizations across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia – the DMV – to help drive ongoing improvements to social, digital, and physical infrastructure. Connected DMV focuses on initiatives that span local jurisdictions and require collaboration across the public, private, academia, and community sectors to best achieve the dual objectives of enduring economic growth and social equity. Learn more: https://www.connecteddmv.org/
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