New Strategic Innovation Center in South Jersey Focused on Medical Technology

Medical tech

Science & Technology

On Jul 21, 2025

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced it will partner with Rowan University to create a new multi-location Strategic Innovation Center (SIC) in Camden and Mullica Hill.

The SIC, operated by Plug and Play, will support the research, development, and commercialization of novel medical technologies and devices, serving as an accelerator for South Jersey’s burgeoning medtech ecosystem. The SIC will have locations in Camden and at Rowan University’s West Campus in Mullica Hill, serving as a world-class accelerator for early-stage companies and promoting overall scientific collaboration in the region.

Cooper University Health Care will serve as the anchor commercial affiliate and Garden State Venture Partners (GSVP) will invest in select participating accelerator companies. The SIC will support early-stage ideas emerging from southern New Jersey labs and pull companies from across the region into the state, helping to provide specialized lab space to meet the needs of companies that might otherwise be forced to seek expansion outside New Jersey.

The SIC will encompass 8,500 square feet of space within two locations in Camden: the Joint Health Sciences Center and the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. It will also have space on Rowan University’s West Campus in Mullica Hill, alongside the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and Virtua Health College Research Center of Rowan University, when open. The SIC will include comprehensive laboratory, diagnostic, and testing spaces for research and development of new technologies in a collaborative environment.

Pending approval by its Board, the NJEDA will invest $9.55 million into the SIC, including $5.5 million into a seed and early-stage fund for companies in the accelerator program and those that choose to locate and grow their operations in the state. Twenty percent of participating companies must be from New Jersey, and the remaining participants will include companies from out of state that may relocate to New Jersey with support from programs that support early-stage startups, such as NJ Accelerate.

“Due to the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs and its breadth of state resources to promote startup growth, New Jersey has long been a hub for innovation in medical technology,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “Through robust investment in our innovation economy and partnerships with storied medical and academic institutions, New Jersey is poised to maintain its leadership in the research and development of inventive healthcare technologies.”

SICs are facilities that support research and development, innovation, and entrepreneurship through mentorship, networking opportunities, hands-on training, business support services, and education opportunities. SICs can be accelerators, incubators, or research centers. Having a physical location where entrepreneurs can collaborate will help support new, diverse innovators and help drive long-term economic growth.

The NJEDA has announced investments into 12 SICs in New Jersey, focused on industries such as artificial intelligence, fintech, aerospace, life sciences, and biotech.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

link