As 2024 turned the calendar on American Heart Month, the Healthcare Innovation Engine at SciTech Scity announced cardiovascular health as its first focus area.

The decision was made during the first meeting of the group Feb. 29 at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City.

Earlier that day, the developing “Science City of Tomorrow” announced RWJBarnabas Health as Hospital Innovation Lead with the effort.

Additionally, the Healthcare Innovation Engine features representatives from Bristol Myers Squibb, Sheba Medical Center, EY, Nokia Bells Labs and universities as well as the state of new Jersey.

Click through the slideshow for more details from the evening.

SciTech Scity is a 30-acre innovation campus. It aims to use science and technology to address humanity’s greatest challenges, such as inadequate health care to climate change. The project is scheduled to open in 2025 and 2026. Inclusive of the existing Liberty Science Center, the site will officially go by the Frank J. Guarini Innovation Campus.

SciTech Scity will include $450 million of new construction:

• Edge Works, an eight-story business-creation center with laboratories, R&D spaces, office suites, coworking spaces, a tech exhibition gallery and a state-of-the-art conference center
• Scholars Village, 500 apartments built and operated by Alpine Residential. Residences will house innovators, scientists, entrepreneurs, and other tech-forward individuals and families
• Liberty Science Center High School, a new public magnet STEM high school built by the Hudson County Improvement Authority and operated by the Hudson County Schools of Technology
• Public Commons, 3 acres of outdoor space for art installations, food trucks, performances, farmers markets, science festivals and maker fairs