Industry
Nonprofit/Charity
Challenge
The Lundbeck U.S. Charitable Fund partnered with MATTER to launch two consecutive startup accelerators, supporting 10 companies developing breakthrough solutions for brain health and rare neurological diseases.
Results
The accelerators helped the Lundbeck U.S. Charitable Fund accomplish its goals of fueling early innovation and advancing patient-centered solutions with potential for real-world impact. The program also showcased how pharmaceutical company foundations can catalyze early-stage healthcare innovation, providing both strategic funding and the structural support needed to accelerate solutions with real patient impact.
This challenge is an exciting opportunity to address the myriad barriers encountered by people facing rare neurological diseases. The innovative solutions sourced from MATTER's challenge could serve as the catalyst for new innovations, solutions and, ultimately, an improved outlook for so many people and their loved ones, supporting our mission to advance brain health and transform lives.
The Challenge
Millions of people with rare neurological diseases face significant obstacles in receiving timely and accurate diagnoses each year. These challenges stem from the complex nature of rare neurological disorders, limited specialized resources and a general lack of public awareness. Patients often encounter long waits for specialist appointments or must travel long distances to access qualified providers. The diagnostic journey is further complicated by disparate data sources, strict privacy regulations and inaccessible and obscure medical terminology that’s confusing to patients and caregivers alike. While recent advancements in medical science and digital health technologies offer promising solutions, innovative approaches are needed to bridge these gaps.
The Approach
The Lundbeck U.S. Charitable Fund partnered with MATTER to launch two consecutive innovation challenges focused on advancing brain health through technology-driven solutions.
Both programs provided:
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Targeted mentorship: Guidance from industry leaders and subject matter experts
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Comprehensive curriculum: Interactive workshops to refine solutions and go-to-market strategies
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Innovation community: Access to MATTER's extensive healthcare network and peer collaboration
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Financial support: $10,000 stipends for program completion plus six-month MATTER memberships
2023-2024
A 10-week, cohort-based accelerator targeting data science solutions to generate novel insights from disparate sources for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia care
2024-2025
A 12-week program designed to redefine care for people with rare neurological diseases by addressing barriers in specialist access, referral systems, patient literacy and diagnostic speed
Outcomes
The partnership supported 10 innovative companies across both accelerator cohorts, each representing unique approaches to brain health challenges. Participants gained critical exposure to investors, health systems and key stakeholders through final showcase events, positioning their solutions for greater market adoption and community impact. One of the startups from the second cohort will even be conducting a validation study with a major health system to develop further proof points for their product.
Across both years, the program demonstrated broad international reach with applications from more than 10 countries and final cohorts including startups from the United States, Germany, Canada, Singapore and Sweden. Engagement continued to grow year over year. More than 550 people attended summit events, with hundreds more viewing recordings afterward. Attendees consistently highlighted the intimate, founder-focused environment as a differentiator from other programs
The Lundbeck U.S. Charitable Fund partnership with MATTER went beyond accelerating early-stage innovations. The partnership brought together startups, clinicians, researchers, patients and caregivers at final summit events, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. These gatherings highlighted the impact of innovation and strengthened the community driving solutions for rare neurological diseases.
