Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron
Fact Sheet - The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron
VISION

The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron is poised to become a global leader in biomaterials and medical research, education, clinical services and commercialization; and a driver of transformative economic, social and health benefits for Greater Akron.

The Austen BioInnovation Institute is a unique collaboration of five top education, health and research institutions: Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Health System, the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Summa Health System and The University of Akron.

With major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the State of Ohio's Third Frontier Program, and companies such as FirstEnergy Corp., our mission is: to expand Akron's rich legacy in materials science, and to pioneer the next generation of life-enhancing and life-saving biomedical innovations for the 21st Century.

The Austen BioInnovation Institute is part of the City of Akron's Biomedical Corridor development zone, and aligned with regional biomedical commercialization efforts including BioEnterprise and the Akron Global Business Accelerator.

INITIATIVES

The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron has launched five major initiatives to realize its vision of global leadership. Innovative ideas will be generated in our Center for Biomaterials and Medicine; to be developed in our Medical Device Development Center; further tested in our Center for Clinical Trials; evaluated, refined and used in simulated settings in our Center for Health Care Training; and then applied to treat patients in real clinical practice through initiatives such as Community Outreach to the Medically Underserved:

  • The Center for Biomaterials and Medicine is a center of research excellence, with core strengths in biopolymers, orthopaedics and wound healing that builds on the strengths of Akron's 200+ researchers in orthopaedics and polymers.
  • The Medical Device Development Center is a unique resource for companies and researchers to design, test, synthesize and manufacture new materials and healthcare applications of biomaterials.  The Center offers strong industry linkages with the 2000+ polymer-related companies and 50+ orthopaedic device companies in the region.
  • The Center for Clinical Trials supports the attraction, launch and administration of clinical trials, and promotes collaboration among scientists and clinicians across institutions.
  • The Center for Health Care Training is a state-of-the-art facility for simulation-based education, training and research, facilitating the testing and evaluation of emerging technologies and devices for companies.
  • The Community Outreach to the Medically Underserved initiative is working to coordinate and accelerate regional efforts to provide access to healthcare and wellness programs to underserved populations.