Polyphonic AI Fund QuickFire Challenge

Polyphonic AI Fund QuickFire Challenge is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson MedTech. This fund supports the use of artificial intelligence in surgery, with a focus on proposals that support AI model development, data engineering and management, and AI governance. While primarily focused on surgery, AI innovations in medical imaging could be relevant.

# Polyphonic™ AI Fund for Surgery QuickFire Challenge AwardeesOverviewWhy this challenge matters to usWhat we’re looking forCriteriaAwardsTimelineAbout Johnson & Johnson Imagine an operating room where artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, enabled by advanced connectivity and fueled by device, patient and surgical data seamlessly work together.

This vision is becoming a reality as innovators seek to unleash the full potential of these advanced technologies to drive real-time insights and continuous learning. Around the world, more than 330 million surgical procedures are performed each year. 1 To help meet this great patient need, over 90% of hospitals and healthcare systems in the United States now have an AI or automation strategy, a significant increase from 53% in 2019.

2 These digital technologies are emerging as game changers in surgical environments where every second matters, playing a pivotal role in transforming outcomes for patients. Through connected systems and fueled by real-time collection, integration and analysis of surgical data, surgeons aim to leverage these tools to drive efficiencies, inform decision-making, and extend surgical training and education across the surgical continuum.

3 To help accelerate the use of AI in surgery, Johnson & Johnson MedTech has launched the **Polyphonic™ AI Fund for Surgery QuickFire Challenge**.

Researchers and innovators in the Surgical Data Science field worldwide are invited to submit ideas for AI technologies that have the potential to improve surgical decision-making, strengthen data management & governance processes, and drive surgical efficiency across the connected operating room (OR).

Selected applicant(s) will have the opportunity to receive award funding up to $100,000 and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.

* Awardees may also be eligible to receive computing tools and technologies to help advance their innovations, including access to: GPUs and related software for accelerated computing, cloud platform and application services, Machine Learning (ML) and AI modeling toolkits and other Software Development Kits (SDKs). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and awardees will be announced quarterly through the end of 2026.

* Subject to terms and conditions of applicable QuickFire Challenge and execution of an award agreement 1 Varghese, C. , Harrison, E. M.

, O’Grady, G. et al. Artificial intelligence in surgery.

_Nat Med_ 30, 1257–1268 (2024). https://doi. org/10.

1038/s41591-024-02970-3. 2 Pifer R. Vast majority of hospitals say they have an AI strategy, up from just half last year.

_HealthcareDive_(March 10, 2021). https://www. healthcaredive.

com/news/vast-majority-of-hospitals-say-they-have-an-ai-strategy-up-from-just-half/596412/. 3 Marwaha, J. S.

, Raza, M. M. & Kvedar, J.

C. The digital transformation of surgery. _npj Digit.

Med. _ 6, 103 (2023). https://doi.

org/10. 1038/s41746-023-00846-3. ## Why this challenge matters to us At Johnson & Johnson, we seek to identify and source promising AI-driven innovation that has the potential to transform surgical care.

This challenge builds on J&J MedTech’s commitment to progress what’s next in surgery to help improve patient outcomes.

## What we’re looking for Innovators around the world are invited to submit ideas for AI technologies with the potential to enhance surgical care and improve patient outcomes across the following categories: * **Surgical decision support:**Perioperative AI that augments delivery of care throughout the procedure, reduces cognitive load and has the potential to serve as a surgeon co-pilot.

* **Data management & governance processes**: Efforts pursuing breakthroughs in data infrastructure, privacy & consent management, labeling frameworks, and regulatory research. * **Surgical efficiency**: AI that boosts coordination across care teams, amplifies care team proficiency and improves patient management all towards enabling seamless delivery of perioperative care.

**Specific surgical areas of interest include**: Soft tissue surgery including but not limited to colorectal, bariatric, thoracic, urology, gynecology and general surgery.

Potential solutions will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers based on the following criteria: * Clinical relevance and impact * Patient safety and ethical considerations * Feasibility and implementation * Innovation and scalability * Team expertise and collaboration * Additional considerations related to regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness and patient-centered design Selected applicant(s) will have the opportunity to receive award funding up to $100,000 and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.

* Awardees may also be eligible to receive computing tools and technologies to help advance their innovations, including access to: GPUs and related software for accelerated computing, cloud platform and application services, Machine Learning (ML) and AI modeling toolkits and other Software Development Kits (SDKs). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and awardees will be announced quarterly through the end of 2026.

* Subject to terms and conditions of applicable QuickFire Challenge and execution of an award agreement October 21, 2025 (Cohort #2) February 27, 2026 (Cohort #2) Cohort Award Announcement Ongoing application reviews & announcements ## About Johnson & Johnson Johnson & Johnson works across the innovative medicine and medical technology sectors to accelerate early-stage, transformational solutions by catalyzing the best ideas, wherever they are in the world.

We do this by harnessing our deep scientific capabilities coupled with a wide range of tools, including customized deal structures, company creation, incubation and startup services, capital investments and other innovative business models that aim to meet the diverse needs of entrepreneurs, scientists, and emerging companies.

Our goal is to help life science and health technology innovations thrive through collaboration and partnership with the global ecosystem, so that together we can change the trajectory of human health. Meet our passionate team of science and technology experts and learn how to collaborate with us atwww. jnjinnovation.

com. Where do I need to be located to apply? Applications will be accepted from innovators around the world.

Is there a monetary award for this QuickFire Challenge? Eligible innovators with the best potential solutions will have the opportunity to receive grant funding up to $100,000 and mentorship from experts across Johnson & Johnson.

Awardees may also be eligible to receive computing tools and technologies to help advance their innovations, including access to: GPUs and related software for accelerated computing, cloud platform and application services, Machine Learning (ML) and AI modeling toolkits and other Software Development Kits (SDKs). How many applications can one company submit?

Each participating company is limited to submitting one application per novel solution or technology. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and awardees will be announced quarterly through the end of 2026. What if I’m having trouble accessing the portal/website?

Is it okay if some of the information I submit is confidential? No. Please do not submit confidential information. Only non-confidential information should be submitted and anything you submit will be treated as non-confidential.

Can I submit supporting documents (for example a video) as part of my application? You will have the opportunity and are encouraged to upload supporting materials such as slide decks, research papers, and videos as part of your application. What happens with IP (Intellectual Property)?

This is a no-strings-attached arrangement, Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Johnson & Johnson Innovation will not acquire any IP. Any IP creation and/or protection remains the sole responsibility of the inventors. Which stage of innovation are you interested in?

We are interested in tangible innovations at a variety of stages – including ideation, prototyping, piloting, and commercial launches. Submissions should align with our focus areas and not be limited to academic research projects. What are the specific criteria for application?

Potential solutions will be evaluated by a panel of reviewers based on the following criteria: * Clinical relevance and impact * Patient safety and ethical considerations * Feasibility and implementation * Innovation and scalability * Team expertise and collaboration * Additional considerations related to regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness and patient-centered design.

Whom can I contact if I have questions about the Challenge or the application process? Please contactQFC@its. jnj.

com with any questions. Where do I apply? And do I have to complete the application in one sitting?

You can setup an account athttps://jnjinnovation. com/login. You can save your work and log back in to finish later if needed.

What types of ideas are you interested in? Submissions should have a path to commercialization. While ideas can be early stage, we are not looking for research projects**that are not pursuing**viable potential solutions.

How can award funding be utilized? Applicants are asked to detail their intended use of funds as part of Polyphonic™ AI Fund for Surgery QuickFire Challenge application and how they anticipate the funds will accelerate their solution forward to achieve the milestones outlined in their application.

The funding must be used solely for the legitimate advancement of the innovative solution as described in the QuickFire Challenge application.

For the avoidance of doubt, below is a non-exhaustive list of impermissible uses of the award funding: * Lobbying, including but not limited to, grass roots lobbying * Provisions of healthcare services (e.g., direct patient engagement via a telehealth service) * Pass throughs to healthcare providers and/or government officials/employees (e.g., used for the salary of an HCP) * Payment towards past development activities (e.g., payment of business loan) There are no specific rates or percentages that are allowable or not allowable with regards to overhead, etc. That said, all applications are evaluated on the impact the funds will have and milestone achievements.

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