Johnson & Johnson Innovation Announces Launch of China Digital Technologies of Tomorrow QuickFire Challenge

• QuickFire Challenge calls on innovators to submit novel, medical device ideas for perioperative treatment solutions, diagnostics and emerging technologies in AFIB, neurovascular treatment, general and orthopedic surgery with the potential to transform patient care.
• Awardees will receive grant funding up to $100,000, residency at JLABS @ Shanghai, and mentorship from experts at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson Innovation together with Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai Ltd. today announced the launch of the China Digital Technologies of Tomorrow QuickFire Challenge with the aim to identify and accelerate cutting-edge, early-stage digital innovations looking to bring forward potential transformative technologies for the patients who need them most.

The competition is open to visionaries from around the world with novel, medical device concepts or products for perioperative treatment solutions, diagnostics and emerging technologies with the potential to transform patient care in atrial fibrillation (AFIB), neurovascular treatment, general and orthopedic surgery.

The innovator(s) with the best potential solution(s) in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), 3D-printing (3DP), IoT, 5G and beyond can be awarded grant funding from a total of up to US$100,000; one year of residency at JLABS @ Shanghai, including a workstation and access to the JLABS ecosystem; and mentorship from experts at the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies.

"We believe a good idea can come from anywhere, and it's our goal to find new and innovative health technologies that have potential to shape the future of healthcare. We are interested in a wide range of potential applications from remote surgery to early warnings of disease and beyond," said Sharon Chan^[1], Head of JLABS @ Shanghai.  "We have 13 JLABS worldwide, with JLABS @ Shanghai being the largest globally, as well as the first in Asia Pacific. We are looking forward to welcoming the awardees of the China Digital Technologies of Tomorrow QuickFire Challenge to be part of our dynamic community of innovators and to supporting them on their innovation journeys."

The QuickFire Challenge platform was developed with the aim to empower and enable potential ground-breaking science and health solutions by encouraging students, entrepreneurs, researchers and start-up companies to tackle some of the world's most challenging problems in healthcare.

"China remains a critical market and has become the 'development + innovation' dual engine for Johnson & Johnson's business portfolio. We have chosen to launch this challenge in China because the region's digital technology and innovation is making rapid progress that can potentially benefit China and the world. Through our joint efforts, we are actively engaging with the Chinese healthcare innovation ecosystem and technology community with the aim to bring together disruptive solutions to advance health for humanity," said Will Song^[2], China Chairman, Johnson & Johnson.

The China Digital Technologies of Tomorrow QuickFire Challenge welcomes submissions from January 13, 2021 to March 19, 2021. For more information (including the terms and conditions of entry), please visit:  http://jlabs.buzz/digital-tech 

Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 related to the launch of the China Digital Technologies of Tomorrow QuickFire Challenge. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson Innovation LL, Johnson & Johnson Medical Shanghai Ltd., any of the other Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: uncertainty of regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; challenges to patents; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; manufacturing difficulties and delays; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; and trends toward health care cost containment.. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in the company's most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Neither the Johnson & Johnson Medical Device Companies or , Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.