* University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI - pre-clinical implantable mechanical device for intestinal lengthening in children with short bowel syndrome

* Children's National Health System, Washington, DC - neonatal EEG monitoring by dry-contact sensors (NEMO)

* LIM Innovations Inc., San Francisco, CA - modular and adjustable prosthetic socket for pediatric patients

* Procyrion Inc., Houston, TX - pediatric-specific implant and control systems for use with a novel catheter-based cavopulmonary support device for management of single ventricle physiologies associated with the Fontan procedure

Representing clinical, investor and intellectual property expertise, the distinguished panel of judges included: Charles Berul, MD, chief of Cardiology at Children's National; Mark Fitzgerald, partner, The Law Firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosatti; Michael Harrison, MD, founding director of the Fetal Treatment Center, University of California - San Francisco; Evan Jones, managing member, jVen Capital; Peyvand Khaleghian, MD, Avicenna Partners Investment Company; and Tim Moran, founder and CEO, PediaVascular.

With the second annual symposium, the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation brought together key leaders from the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, medical device industry, law firms, pediatric societies and advocacy groups, along with scientists, engineers, clinicians and policy makers.

The symposium's keynote address was delivered by Margaret A. Hamburg, MD, commissioner of the FDA who described the Sheikh Zayed Institute and Children's National as "a model to emulate" in recognizing that, in addition to bringing together a critical mass of talented experts, significant healthcare advances require creative connections with patients and families, clinical, academic, government and corporate partners in Washington, the nation and the world.

The event drew more than 220 attendees and was held at The Newseum in Washington, D.C. The program also included panel discussions on the clinical and regulatory pathways for pediatric devices, lessons to be learned from pediatric drug development, growth capital for pediatric innovation and coverage reimbursement from the payor perspective.

"Through this symposium, the Sheikh Zayed Institute is fostering concrete, achievable action to improve the health of children," said Kurt Newman, MD, president and CEO of Children's National Health System. "Their metabolism and overall response to biologics, medical devices and surgical procedures differs from adults, making it essential to find efficient and effective ways to develop regulated and well-researched devices and therapies tailored to their needs."

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