Listen to this article

Liberty Science Center (LSC) in Jersey City announced Dec. 11 Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) is joining its highly anticipated SciTech Scity project.

BMS will serve as Healthcare Innovation Lead Partner for the Biopharmaceutical Industry in the Healthcare Innovation Engine. As part of the arrangement, the Princeton-based pharmaceutical company will work with SciTech Scity stakeholders to identify how digital health devices can work in tandem with traditional pharmaceutical products, aimed toward offering a more holistic and personalized approach to patient care.

According to SciTech Scity, the partnership is designed to better understand and address the structural barriers to digital health adoption and identify priority areas for innovation. That work that will be done with startup companies testing and validating products and solutions as well as conducting joint research efforts with the SciTech Scity academic ecosystem to collect data needed to support broader adoption.

The announcement marks continued momentum for the $450 million SciTech Scity project, which recently revealed a partnership with, and up to $20 million investment from, the state.

BMS joins EY in its leadership commitment to the Healthcare Innovation Engine.

The professional services firm signed on earlier this year as the Lead Orchestrator, pledging to provide significant resources and a team of global experts to help operate the program. The Healthcare Innovation Engine aims to bring together public and private stakeholders to work toward revolutionary solutions catering to the specific challenges of vulnerable populations, with an eye toward disease prevention.

“At Bristol Myers Squibb our mission is to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases,” said Al Reba, senior vice president, US Cardiovascular & Established Brands at BMS and member of the LSC board of trustees. “Digital health technology holds significant promise for transforming health care in America, particularly in underserved communities. That’s why we are partnering with Liberty Science Center on the groundbreaking SciTech Scity Healthcare Innovation Engine. By bringing our expertise and resources together with those of the engine’s other partners, we’re confident that we can spearhead bold solutions for a healthier country.”

“Bristol Myers Squibb’s unparalleled expertise in different chronic disease areas places them at the forefront innovation, uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between traditional pharmaceuticals and cutting-edge digital health solutions, ultimately redefining patient care,” said Paul Hoffman, president and CEO of Liberty Science Center, who has been at the center of the SciTech Scity vision and efforts.

Hoffman said this type of partnership will help toward his goal of transforming the health care system from the current, reactive “SICKcare system” to a true “HEALTHcare” one, which detects illnesses in their infancy or prevents them entirely through cost effective digital home health technology.

“To advance the SICKcare-to-HEALTHcare vision, we are establishing a diverse ecosystem of partners, including universities, hospital systems, public health authorities, and pharmaceutical and medical technology companies,” said Hoffman. “Only through such a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach will we be able to transform a problem as pervasive as structural issues around healthcare access in America. So, my deepest gratitude goes to Bristol Myers Squibb for agreeing to be Healthcare Innovation Lead Partner and bring its extensive knowledge and expertise.”