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3 Philadelphia Digital Health Start-Ups Revolutionizing Health Care

By June 21, 2017February 17th, 2022Innovation
A person making a presentation in front of colleagues in a conference room

Eight digital health start-ups in the Dreamit Health class of 2017 participated in a Shark Tank-style business pitch to representatives from Independence Blue Cross.

Since 2012, the Dreamit Health Philadelphia accelerator has given entrepreneurs support to turn their innovative ideas into real-life, workable health care solutions.

As we gear up for Demo Day for the Dreamit Health Philadelphia class of 2017, we’re proud to continue to support the accomplishments of the nearly 50 companies that have participated in Dreamit Health over the past five years.

Start-Ups Using Technology to Drive Personal, Cost-Effective Care

We’d like to highlight the work of three Dreamit Health graduates — Biomeme (2013), BioBots (2014), and TowerView Health (2014). Independence Blue Cross believes so strongly in the power of their innovations to revolutionize health care that we were among the initial investors in Biomeme and BioBots, and we’ve participated in a successful pilot program with TowerView Health.

Biomeme: Mobile DNA Testing

The technology Biomeme has developed essentially turns a smartphone into a portable laboratory for low-cost DNA testing. It has multiple uses to help diagnose and prevent diseases that affect people globally, such as diabetes and malaria.

Biomeme has earned multiple awards including the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia Excellence Awards: Technological Excellence of the Year; PACT Enterprise Awards 2016: Life Sciences Startup; and Philadelphia Business Journal: Health Care Innovator of the Year, PCR Thermocycler.

BioBots: 3D Bioprinting

BioBots creates 3D printers that use special bio-ink cartridges to print living human tissues. Its goal is to grow complete organs using a patient’s own cells to help save the lives of those waiting for organ transplants. BioBots’ business is steadily growing, with products now available in 23 states and 26 countries.

TowerView Health: Improving Medication Adherence

Established after its co-founder was diagnosed with leukemia, TowerView Health helps patients with chronic conditions better manage their medication schedules.

TowerView Health initiated a pilot with Independence and Penn Medicine in 2015 to help people with chronic conditions who take multiple medications adhere to their medication regimen. Independence members participating in the pilot receive pre-filled medication trays that insert into a connected pillbox that senses when they forget a dose and automatically sends a text or phone reminder.

Initial results have been extremely promising, and we look forward to sharing them later this year.

Putting People First

These digital health start-ups display a passion and determination that inspires us to continue to put people at the center of everything we do. We’re thrilled to be a small part of their journey and can’t wait to see where they go next!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn or email our innovation team for the latest innovation news from Independence.

 

Anna Johnsrud

As a member of the Corporate Development and Innovation team at Independence Blue Cross (IBX), Anna has been involved in advancing the organization’s human-centered innovation approach through leading project teams through IBX’s methodology to solve critical challenges, assisting in the creation of programming, and ensuring communication of key innovation activities. Anna knows and understands the importance of keeping our members at the center of all we do. She loves using creativity and energy to tackle anything that comes her way. She has been with IBX since 2008 in a variety of roles in Strategy and Corporate Planning before joining the Innovation team in 2012.