Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub
| Abbreviation | WBHTH |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2023 |
| Founder | BioForward Wisconsin |
| Purpose | Regional Technology and Innovation Hub focused on personalized medicine |
| Location |
|
Region served | Wisconsin |
Key people | Wendy Harris, Lisa Johnson, Aaron Olver, Tammy Baldwin, Amanda Nedweski |
| Website | bioforward.org |
Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub (WBHTH) is a federally designated Regional Technology and Innovation Hub focused on advancing personalized medicine through an integrated approach of innovation and workforce development.[1] Located in the Milwaukee–Waukesha and Madison Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), with statewide manufacturing "spokes," WBHTH is coordinated by BioForward Wisconsin. It is one of twelve U.S. regions selected by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) under the CHIPS and Science Act.[2]
Overview
The Tech Hub aims to transform Wisconsin into a global leader in personalized medicine by fostering collaboration among public, private, academic, and non-profit stakeholders. Over a ten-year period, it is projected to create more than 30,000 new direct jobs and contribute $9 billion in regional GDP growth. It follows an "Invent-Build-Deploy" model to accelerate biohealth technology development and deployment.
Consortium Members
The WBHTH consortium includes 18 core partners:
- GE HealthCare
- Epic Systems
- Exact Sciences
- University of Wisconsin System (Universities of Wisconsin)
- University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW-Madison)
- Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
- BioForward
- Employ Milwaukee
- Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC)
- Madison Area Technical College (Madison College)
- Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC)
- Forward BIOLABS
- Rockwell Automation
- Accuray
- Plexus Corporation
- WRTP | BIG STEP
- Madison Regional economic Partnership (MadREP)
- M7
Vision and Strategy
The WBHTH uses an Invent-Build-Deploy strategy that emphasizes equitable economic development and data-driven innovation.[3]
Invent
The "Invent" phase supports new product and technology development through initiatives like the Wisconsin Health Data Hub, a cyber-secure, HIPAA-compliant statewide repository of health data enabling clinical and commercial research.
Build
The "Build" phase leverages Wisconsin’s advanced manufacturing base and skilled workforce to scale up production, integrating partners such as GE HealthCare and Plexus in producing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Deploy
The "Deploy" phase focuses on real-world integration of technologies into clinical practice, including AI-powered theranostics and mobile cancer screening in underserved areas.
Major Projects
Tech Hub Governance
Led by BioForward, this project provides cross-consortium coordination, EDA reporting, and performance tracking across all WBHTH projects. This initiative also oversees cybersecurity, communications, and shared innovation metrics.
Wisconsin Health Data Hub
Led by UW–Madison, this project is developing a statewide data infrastructure that democratizes access to large-scale health datasets, enabling startups and researchers to develop new diagnostics and therapies faster and more cost-effectively.
CAREScan Mobile Screening
Led by MCW, the CAREScan project deploys mobile cancer screening units to underserved populations, improving health equity and collecting diverse clinical data to enhance research and commercialization outcomes.
Image-Guided Therapy Pathways
Led by GE HealthCare, Image-Guided Therapy (IGT) uses artificial intelligence to integrate real-time imaging and diagnostic tools into care pathways, enabling earlier detection and personalized treatment of disease.
Advancing Innovation to Commercialization
Led by BioForward, this project supports entrepreneurs through lab space access, investment attraction, and regulatory de-risking. This initiative bridges the gap between research and commercialization.
ABC Pathways
Led by Madison College, the "Actualizing Biohealth Career Pathways" program trains non-traditional and underrepresented students for good-paying jobs in biohealth manufacturing, data science, and clinical operations.
Funding and Impact
The Tech Hub was awarded $49 million in federal funds[4]. An additional $30.6 million in matching funds and in-kind commitments was pledged by state agencies and consortium members.[5][6] Assets include:
- A top-ten research university (UW–Madison)
- 443 biohealth suppliers
- Leading firms in imaging, diagnostics, and data analytics
Equity and Sustainability
WBHTH incorporates equity through:
- Targeted mobile health screenings in underserved neighborhoods
- Training for non-degree holders and minority populations
- Entrepreneurial support for women and minority-owned startups
- Green practices such as water-neutral data centers and waste-to-energy initiatives
Recognition and Industry Growth
According to the 2024 BioForward TEConomy Report, the Wisconsin biohealth sector:
- Employs over 58,000 people
- Has a total impact of 141,000 jobs
- Generates $37.7 billion in economic activity.[7]
In December 2024, Eli Lilly and Company announced a $3 billion investment in a Kenosha County manufacturing facility, citing WBHTH as a key reason for its site selection.[8]
See Also
References
- ↑ https://www.eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Wisconsin-Biohealth-Tech-Hub
- ↑ https://www.eda.gov/news/press-release/2024/07/02/biden-harris-administration-announces-next-funding-round-504-million
- ↑ https://www.eda.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/Wisconsin_Biohealth_Overarching_Narrative.pdf
- ↑ https://www.eda.gov/news/press-release/2024/07/02/Wisconsin-Biohealth-Tech-Hub
- ↑ https://www.bioforward.org/wisconsin-biohealth-tech-hub/tech-hub-overview
- ↑ https://wedc.org/wisconsins-biohealth-tech-hub-garners-7-5-million-supporting-grant/
- ↑ https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/667d678e10a1efcee5d715df/6772f437b4ecaf963d8976e3_TEConomy%20-%20Wisconsin%20BioForward%20Report-2024-fullreport-vfinal3.pdf
- ↑ https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2024/12/05/lilly-plans-3-billion-expansion-750-new-jobs-in-kenosha-county/76795949007/
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