Johnson & Johnson Innovation, one of the IDSA Foundation’s Industry Partners, is pleased to present the second BLUE KNIGHT™ Symposium on June 9. This year’s theme, The Power of Partnering to Accelerate Preparedness, will focus on questions startups have about accelerating innovations and earning a seat at the global preparedness table. Registration for this exciting virtual event is now open. Tune in virtually from wherever you are around the world for a day of live programming.

 

At this symposium, you’ll hear from distinguished thought leaders, including Ambika Bumb, deputy executive director, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense; Kelly Chibale, professor of organic chemistry, University of Cape Town; Penny Heaton, global therapeutic area head, vaccines, Janssen Research & Development, LLC; and Lisha McCormick, chief executive officer, Last Mile Health.

 

The Blue Knight joint initiative was created between Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a component of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Blue Knight is dedicated to anticipating potential health security threats, activating the global innovation community and amplifying scientific and technological advancements with the aim to prepare for and respond to our rapidly evolving global health environment.

 

Through expert programming, mentorship and residency opportunities, Blue Knight aims to stimulate a pipeline of innovative, early-stage startups that are strategically aligned to mutual areas of interest between BARDA and the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, while also supporting the advancement of end-to-end, adjunct solutions with the potential to address innovation gaps along the development pathway and the continuum of care.

 

Additionally, innovators aiming to enhance preparedness toward future known and unknown infectious diseases threats are invited to submit their ideas to the Blue Knight QuickFire Challenge: Next-Generation Preparedness Solutions. Up to four innovators with the best potential solution can receive award funding from a total pool of up to $200,000 and access to the global Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS network through Blue Knight residency with mentorship from experts at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies and BARDA.* Apply by July 22 and join this year’s Symposium to learn more about priority areas of interest.

 

* Subject to the execution of the necessary documentation and (award) agreements.

Applications are now open for the 2022 IDWeek Mentorship Program. Through this program, the IDSA Foundation connects experienced ID researchers and clinicians with medical students and residents. Three key elements are the focus:

• Professional development
• Education
• Vision of the mentee’s future career

If you are a medical student or resident, we invite you to sign up as a mentee for this exciting opportunity provided by the IDSA Foundation. As a mentee, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the ID specialty and receive unique insights from the expertise of ID mentors.

 

If you are an ID researcher or clinician, we invite you to sign up as a mentor. As a mentor, you will be empowered to guide early career professionals and make an impact on the future of their careers. During IDWeek registration, you will have an opportunity to contribute to the IDSA Foundation. All donations made during registration support the activities and expansion of the Mentorship Program. Join us in sharing all the field of infectious diseases has to offer and supporting the next generation of ID experts.

 

Mentorship is a critical part of cultivating a diverse, talented ID workforce and advancing the field. Applications for the IDWeek Mentorship Program close Aug. 18.

 

Enjoy this inspiring Mentorship Program success story!

Each year, the United States observes National HIV Testing Day on June 27, raising awareness about the importance of testing for HIV and getting an early diagnosis. This day is crucial for encouraging people to increase HIV testing and obtain any care they need to treat this disease.

 

There will be two webinars in June hosted by the IDSA Foundation and sponsored by Roche. These are intended for health care providers, people with HIV and patient advocates.

 

The first webinar, “PrEP Implementation in Primary Care: Overcoming the Barriers to HIV Testing,” will be held June 14. The purpose of this webinar is to improve clinicians’ understanding of whom to offer HIV PrEP and how to screen and monitor patients on PrEP.

 

The webinar’s learning objectives are to:

• Incorporate PrEP into primary care;
• Understand key differences in available testing algorithms for HIV;
• Provide recommendations for HIV screening prior to initiating PrEP; and
• Highlight the importance of testing and type of testing for different population settings.

The second webinar will be on June 27, National HIV Testing Day. This webinar will feature patient advocates and their journeys, and highlight the importance of testing.

The IDSA Foundation enjoyed successful participation in the SHEA Spring Conference, held in April in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

 

Stephen Peeler, our executive director, loved talking with field experts about the latest happenings. There was much to share about our new and expanding programs.

Trusting Science at SHEA.

Kicking off May, the IDSA Foundation attended AFP ICON 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. All things fundraising were discussed at the world’s #1 fundraising conference.

The 2022 IDea Incubator will accept applications starting May 17 until Aug. 4. A pitch-style competition, IDea Incubator encourages innovators and early-stage ventures to share original inventions, products and ideas focused on improving infectious diseases care.

 

Accepted presenters will be notified of their status the week of Aug. 22. Finalists will be judged by representatives from the business, medicine and technology industries on Oct. 20 at IDWeek in Washington, D.C.

 

The 2022 IDea Incubator is generously sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS and BLUE KNIGHT™. Stay tuned for the monetary prize listing!

Your support is an investment in the future of infectious diseases medicine. Join us in advancing research, workforce development and diversity and inclusion in the field of infectious diseases.