Dr. Bruce Tromberg, Director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), discusses the role of NIBIB in advancing early-stage medical technologies and helping researchers and companies develop their technologies from proof of concept to clinical application
Transforming a promising idea into a medical device or therapeutic platform that improves patient care is a complex and uncertain journey. Early-stage innovation, where many transformative ideas originate, is also where risk is highest and traditional funding is hardest to secure. The US National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) plays a critical role in filling this gap by supporting cutting-edge technologies at their earliest and most vulnerable stages.
Advancing healthcare innovation
NIBIB operates at the intersection of engineering, biology, and medicine, with a focus on enabling technologies – tools and platforms that can be applied across diseases and care settings. This technology-driven approach allows the Institute to catalyze innovation that not only advances science but also reshapes how healthcare is delivered.
A central component of NIBIB’s strategy is to de-risk early and at every stage of innovation. Through targeted funding, the Institute supports innovators from academia, start-ups, and industry as they move from proof-of-concept toward functional prototypes and early validation. These investments often focus on high-risk, high-reward areas, such as novel imaging systems, AI-enabled diagnostics, wearable sensors, and bioengineered therapeutic platforms.
From innovation to clinical application
NIBIB’s support for academic research teams is foundational to this effort. By funding exploratory and developmental work, the Institute enables investigators to test new ideas, refine technologies, and generate the data needed to attract follow-on investment. This early backing is often decisive in determining whether a concept can progress beyond the laboratory. Historically, NIH has a 250% return on investment, and that begins with these initial studies.
Importantly, translation requires more than scientific validation. Advancing a device or platform toward clinical use involves navigating regulatory pathways, scaling production, and demonstrating real-world utility. To address these challenges, NIBIB drives translation through programs like the Point-of-Care Technologies Research Network (POCTRN), created to accelerate the development of point-of-care and home-based diagnostic technologies. POCTRN brings together multidisciplinary teams from academia, industry, and clinical settings to align innovation with real-world healthcare needs. By integrating scientific and technological capabilities with clinical demand, the network helps ensure that promising diagnostic tools are practical, scalable, and ready for deployment in diverse care environments.
Grown from the foundation of POCTRN, the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx®) Tech initiative amplifies NIH’s commitment to translation. RADx® utilizes an innovation funnel process to accelerate translation, providing not only non-dilutive funding but also access to expertise in regulatory science, product development, and commercialization. The RADx® model has demonstrated acceleration of 2.5-5x over traditional timelines and increased US testing capacity by nearly eight billion tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. NIBIB continues to build RADx® partnerships with multiple federal agencies, universities, and industry to develop a wide range of diagnostic and imaging devices.
Small businesses are another key focus. On April 14, 2026, NIH’s Seed Fund (Small Business Innovation Research [SBIR] and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs) was reauthorized for the next five years. Through the SBIR/STTR programs, NIBIB supports start-ups developing innovative medical technologies. These programs help companies advance prototypes, conduct early testing, and position themselves for private-sector investment and partnerships, strengthening the broader biomedical innovation ecosystem.
The power of collaboration in advancing medical innovations
Across all its efforts, collaboration remains a defining feature of NIBIB’s approach. The Institute fosters partnerships across academia, industry, and government, recognizing that no single sector can bring complex medical technologies to market alone. This cross-sector model helps ensure that innovations are designed with real-world needs in mind, from clinical workflows to patient usability. For example, POCTRN’s recent Research and Innovation Translation Partnerships Conference and Technology Showcase: Point of Care Technologies and Digital Health convened cross-sector experts to exchange best practices, identify new opportunities for collaboration, and accelerate the development, commercialization, and implementation of innovative diagnostic solutions. Such convenings play an important role in reducing barriers and shortening the path from innovation to impact.
NIBIB’s investments are also guided by a commitment to improving health outcomes and expanding access. Many supported technologies aim to make diagnostics more accessible, treatments more precise, and healthcare delivery more efficient. From portable imaging systems to point-of-care diagnostics and data-driven decision tools, these innovations have the potential to reach underserved populations and reduce disparities in healthcare.
As technological advances accelerate, sustained support for early-stage innovation is increasingly important. Emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and biofabrication are opening new possibilities but also introducing new risks. Public investment through institutions like NIBIB is essential to ensure that promising ideas are not left behind.
Ultimately, NIBIB serves as a catalyst, helping researchers and innovators move from concept to clinic. By de-risking early development, fostering collaboration, and supporting translation, the Institute plays a vital role in turning scientific and engineering breakthroughs into technologies that improve lives and strengthen healthcare systems.
