By HFT Staff

Representatives of Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and Innovation Works joined community leaders in Bellevue, Pennsylvania, to celebrate the opening of a state-of-the-art research facility based at the former AGH Suburban Hospital that will serve as an innovation hub for AlphaLab Health, a healthcare and life sciences accelerator launched by AHN and Innovation Works in 2020. 

Modeled after Innovation Works' other successful accelerator programs, AlphaLab and AlphaLab Gear, AlphaLab Health cultivates promising medical technologies and other health solutions, offering start-up companies early-stage funding, mentorship opportunities from industry experts, clinical resources and office and lab space. The collaboration is also supported by Pittsburgh-area universities, corporations and foundations. 

The AlphaLab Health accelerator at AGH's Suburban Campus is a 10,000-square-foot open-concept space fully equipped with advanced technologies and facilities, including wet and dry labs. The space also includes offices outfitted with dedicated server access that can be configured to a business's needs and highly reliable and secure hardline connectivity, two conferencing rooms and three larger collaboration areas. 

The physical renovation of the space was made possible in large part by a $500,000 redevelopment assistance capital program grant administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. 

The investment and repurposing of AGH's Suburban Campus also breathes new life into a community asset that has served the community in a variety of capacities for more than 115 years. In 2010, the hospital's inpatient units and emergency department closed, and a private nursing facility on the campus closed in June 2019. AGH Suburban's urgent care center and several outpatient clinics continue to operate on the campus. 

Twelve startup companies have already joined AlphaLab Health. Some of the projects underway include: 

• Developing pharmaceutical products for the treatment of life-threatening symptoms associated with Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), an overreaction of the immune system causing systemic inflammation. – CytoAgents 
• Developed securement devices that prevent damage and dislodgement of central lines and dislodgement and feeding tubes. – GusGear 
• Designing a consumer-facing medical vaporizer that automatically and gradually reduces nicotine intake over time, helping people achieve their smoking cessation goals. – Hale Therapeutics 
• Developing an app that can give users a detailed lung performance report by simply speaking into a smartphone – turning smartphones into powerful remote respiratory monitoring tools and preventing unneeded hospitalizations and emergency department visits. – Telling.AI