Key Points
- The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Precision Surgical Interventions program will fund the development of novel technologies for precise cancer tumor removal.
- Investigators at all stages in academia, industry, and other areas of the health ecosystem will be considered for funding.
- The agency will solicit project proposals later this month.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) recently announced a program to develop novel technologies for precise cancer tumor removal. The Precision Surgical Interventions, or PSI, program aims to develop solutions to two major surgical problems: tumor edge visualization and critical anatomy visualization.
The announcement states, “PSI seeks to develop technologies that will be used by surgeons during operations to visualize tumors’ edges, in order to increase chances of complete removal. Solutions may come in the form of bedside devices or devices that image inside the body, and will draw from technical disciplines that include chemistry, microscopy, biomedical engineering, and digital pathology.”
Investigators at all stages in academia, industry, and other areas of the health ecosystem will be considered for funding. Multiple awards are anticipated.
“With the PSI program, we’re seeking to fundamentally change how surgery is done,” said Ileana Hancu, PhD, ARPA-H PSI program manager. “Imagine if surgeries fixed problems flawlessly, the first time. Cancer is one disease we’re addressing, but the potential benefits of the tools developed could extend across many types of surgery, for many diseases and populations.”
“We encourage those in the focused ultrasound community to explore how their innovative research can apply to this new program,” said Jessica Foley, PhD, the Foundation’s chief scientific officer. “We believe that the technology is uniquely suited to assist in precision medicine both from an imaging aspect and avoiding traditional surgery. Please share this announcement broadly with your colleagues.”
ARPA-H was established in March 2022 and is intended to accelerate better health outcomes for everyone. The agency funds high-potential, high-impact biomedical and health research toward innovative solutions that have the potential to advance areas of medicine that cannot readily be accomplished through traditional research or commercial activity. Since inception, ARPA-H has been allocated $2.5 billion. Learn more about ARPA-H and its other programs in our recent blog post.
How to Apply for the PSI Program
ARPA-H will solicit project proposals for the PSI program through a forthcoming Broad Agency Announcement, expected later this month. Abstracts will be due in late September. However, if you are interested in learning more about the program and if your research is applicable, there is a Proposer’s Day event on September 7, and interested parties can participate in-person in Chicago, Illinois, or virtually.