Our vision is to ignite a regional transformation through neuro-innovation that not only advances health and education but also stimulates economic growth and inclusion, making the benefits of neuroscience accessible and beneficial to all. St. Louis’ role as a national leader in neuroscience research & neurotechnology, coupled with a well-developed bioscience innovation ecosystem, positions the region to accelerate the translation of discoveries into critical products, services, and policies.
NEURO360 will help St. Louis continue to grow while aligning with stakeholder priorities, particularly to create jobs, build wealth in the community, and reduce healthcare disparities in neuroscience. NEURO360 will help St. Louis continue to grow while aligning with stakeholder priorities, particularly to create jobs, build wealth in the community, and reduce healthcare disparities in neuroscience.
NEURO360’s tech innovation plan focuses on four key areas of innovation to grow the St. Louis region’s neuro-research portfolio dramatically over the next ten years and beyond:
Neuro
technologies for devices & imaging
Neuro molecular, cellular, and systems biology
Neuro mobile
apps, software, and computing
Community service innovations
St. Louis is poised to become a national leader in neuroscience and neurotechnology, with substantial potential for commercialization and equitable job creation. NEURO360 will accelerate the developing neuroscience innovation ecosystem across the St. Louis Region, which includes the City of St. Louis and 14 surrounding counties.
For more than two decades, BioSTL, a nonprofit coalition, has driven the region’s innovation economy through the creation of critical infrastructure like the Cortex Innovation District, over $1 billion in venture capital funds, and the BioGenerator commercialization center.
The region boasts significant research strength, including over 300 neuroscience labs at Washington University, $200 million in annual funding, and a new $600 million neuroscience building. St. Louis University and the University of Missouri-St. Louis also contribute critical research and support through their respective neuroscience and mental health institutes.
Industry support is strong, with major firms like MilliporeSigma and Pfizer, biotech companies such as C2N, and startups like Avadel Pharmaceuticals driving innovation. The planned $1 billion expansion of the John Cochran VA Medical Center, including a specialized neuroscience unit, further underscores the region’s capacity for advancements in neuroscience applications and commercialization.
The NEURO360 coalition currently includes eight institutions of higher education, five local and state public-sector partners, 15 industry firms and groups, three healthcare organizations and systems, two tech-based economic development groups (including BioSTL), four education, labor, and workforce training organizations, and three organizations representing the perspectives of underserved communities. NEURO360 will build off the convening infrastructure of the BioSTL Coalition, a broad civic partnership of 50+ business, science, academic, philanthropic, and public-sector leaders, to coordinate activities across the region of service. NEURO360 will deepen long-standing partnerships between strategically relevant stakeholders across the regional neuroscience ecosystem, building on St. Louis’ world-class bioscience sector.
