Montgomery County and Henry M. Jackson Foundation Launch New Biotech Innovation Labs

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, March 3, 2026

The Montgomery County Government and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) officially launched the HJF Innovation Labs at Montgomery County. This new facility at the company’s offices in Bethesda is designed as a regional biotech incubator tailored for startups and small companies developing dual-use (military and civilian) medical technologies.

"This brings much needed small biotech lab space to North Bethesda and strengthens our growing life sciences ecosystem," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. "Our partnership with HJF is mutually beneficial—raising the County’s innovation capacity while expanding our profile as a center for new technologies. County entrepreneurs can work on dual use technologies in collaboration with HJF, use their space here, and connect to global resources, including clinical trial sites around the world."

The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) said in a press release that the facility responds to the demand for smaller-scale lab space with shared equipment, wraparound services, and better access to meaningful innovation support and community resources.

"HJF Innovation Labs at Montgomery County represents a powerful partnership that strengthens our region’s position as a global biohealth leader," said MCEDC President and CEO Jared Smith. "The investment in centers like this demonstrates the County’s commitment to our start-up ecosystem, accelerating innovation and fostering a strong, diverse, and inclusive economy".

The HJF Innovation Labs will help emerging companies navigate the unique operational and financial barriers of military medical product development.

“HJF is energized by the future advancements made possible within the HJF Innovation Labs," said HJF President and CEO Dr. Joseph Caravalho, President and CEO of HJF. "Together, HJF and Montgomery County are expanding commercialization pathways for startups developing cutting-edge, dual use medical technologies and accelerating innovations that advance health care for both the warfighter and the communities we serve.”

The HJF Innovation Ecosystem will showcase its new residents during a Pitch Showcase and Networking event on April 14, where four biomedical startup founders will present research for a potential residency in the new labs.

The facility joins Montgomery County’s existing network of Business Innovation Centers located in Rockville, Silver Spring, and Germantown. Another innovation center, also located in Rockville, is focused exclusively on artificial intelligence.

The opening marks a significant milestone for the region’s economic strategy, occurring during the same week that the Montgomery County Council approved the Viva White Oak Tax Incremental Funding proposal. The Viva White Oak project is a large 294-acre mixed-use development in Silver Spring that is certain to add to the world-class bio/life science and research community in Montgomery County.

About HJF Innovation Labs at Montgomery County

Affiliated with the Montgomery County Business Center Innovation Network, the labs provide smaller-scale lab space and community resources to accelerate medical breakthroughs to market.

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Release ID: 26-078
Media Contact: Scott Peterson 240-255-8462
Categories: Business, Executive Office