This is the third PDC grant for Children’s National, which previously led the National Capital Consortium for Pediatric Device Innovation (NCC-PDI) from 2013-2023. Over those ten years, NCC-PDI provided guidance and resources to 315 pediatric device projects spanning all regulatory pathways, with over 20 devices having received either FDA market clearance, approval, or European safety approval. Collectively, projects supported by NCC-PDI raised over $500 million in follow-on funding, and seven companies landed a successful exit via acquisition.

In addition to leading the FDA-funded pediatric device consortium, Children’s National hosts a variety of other hospital-sponsored programs focused on advancing the innovation of pediatric medical products including devices, diagnostics, drugs, biologics and digital therapeutics. On Oct. 8, Children’s National will hold its 11th Annual Symposium on Pediatric Device Innovation, scheduled again this year with The MedTech Conference powered by AdvaMed. The symposium will host the “Make Your Medical Device Pitch for Kids! ™ competition. Throughout the year, Children’s National also hosts Innovation Day programs and other events to bring together entrepreneurs, clinicians, investors, and regulatory and design experts to foster collaboration and advancement of pediatric innovation. Under APDI’s scope, Children’s National will host a variety of boot camps on topics including regulatory, reimbursement and fundraising for pediatric device innovators. Children’s National also plans to host regular showcase days on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about equity and access to medical devices by all patient populations.


Eskandanian says the new Children’s National Research and Innovation Campus provides the ideal environment for the collaborative work needed to advance pediatric innovation. Designed to drive discoveries that save and improve the lives of children, this one-of-its-kind ecosystem is a newly renovated research and innovation space located on a nearly 12-acre portion of the former, historic Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Northwest Washington, D.C. On this campus, Children’s National has combined its strengths with public and private partners—including industry, universities, federal agencies, start-up companies and academic medical centers—to create a collaborative campus that bolsters pediatric innovation and commercialization.


About Children’s National Hospital
Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 children’s hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children's National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.

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