Johnson & Johnson Medical Korea Ltd. and Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC have announced the launch of the Seoul Innovation QuickFire Challenge on Smart Surgery in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).

The challenge invites innovators to submit potentially ground-breaking ideas that aim to transform the surgical pathway. Specific areas of interest include:

• Potential digital solutions that aim to help OR transform surgical pathway/ data-driven decisions (before/during/after surgery)
• Smart diagnosis and early intervention in cardiovascular and neurovascular areas
• Infection control during and after surgery
• Potential biotech solutions aiming to improve post-op recovery
• Improved surgical planning and outcome using next-gen technology (including but not limited to advanced imaging and augmented reality)

Awardee(s) will receive grant funding from a total of up to KRW150,000,000 (approximately $134,000), one year of residency at the Seoul Bio Hub and access to the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Asia Pacific ecosystem, including a dedicated workstation for one year at JLABS @ Shanghai, and mentorship from experts across the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

The QuickFire Challenge aims to advance breakthrough innovations by combining Johnson & Johnson Innovation's unique vision for collaboration in an open innovation model with the Seoul Metropolitan Government's efforts to drive innovation and commercialize its research outcomes; KHIDI's professional and systems-building support; and the Seoul Bio Hub's ability to help accelerate the development and commercialization of potential early-stage, life-science solutions.