Chiesi Group, a global biopharma company, and Plug and Play, a major venture capital and innovation platform, have launched “Breathing Innovation: The Chiesi Challenge for Transformative Respiratory Solutions.” The program seeks startups with new ideas for chronic respiratory diseases, such as COPD, asthma, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with a deadline for applications on September 30, 2025.
A call for startups and innovators
The challenge focuses on prevention, early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and improved disease management, with a strong emphasis on environmentally sustainable solutions. While it targets the U.S. healthcare market, global startups are encouraged to apply.
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Startups apply through the Plug and Play website and are selected based on their alignment with key aims, including patient benefit, sustainability, and real-world viability. Chiesi provides selected participants with access to its research and development infrastructure, scientific mentorship, and potential funding. Plug and Play supports startups through its global network, helping refine ideas and promote commercialization.
Accept the challenge?
Key resources available to selected startups include partnership opportunities with Chiesi, access to industry mentors, potential venture investment, and broader network connections through Plug and Play. This support is designed to help companies bring their innovations to patients and markets faster.
Before you go: Plug and Play – How the World’s Biggest Startup Accelerator Works
This initiative stands out in a competitive field by emphasizing both commercialization and sustainable, patient-focused solutions, compared to programs that often focus solely on research. The challenge is part of a larger trend in healthcare to foster collaborative, business-driven approaches to solving pressing medical needs.
By combining Chiesi’s experience in pharmaceuticals with Plug and Play’s reach in startup ecosystems, “Breathing Innovation” aims to drive solutions that can improve outcomes for people with respiratory diseases and advance sustainability in the medical technology sector. Review their information page about the challenge for more details and to register.
Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been done by CNordic.
Source: We received the press release directly via email.
