Chiesi and Plug and Play Call for Innovative Solutions to Revolutionize Respiratory Care in the U.S.

Challenge invites proposals from startups who are focused on enhancing the quality of life for respiratory patients through environmentally friendly and accessible solutions

CARY, N.C., July 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chiesi, an international biopharmaceutical company (Chiesi Group) and Plug and Play, the world’s largest Open Innovation platform, announced today the launch of Breathing Innovation: The Chiesi Challenge for Transformative Respiratory Solutions, a call for applications from startups who propose groundbreaking solutions to address complex and critical challenges in respiratory care.

The goal of the challenge is to discover and fund inventive ideas that improve the quality of life for those living with chronic respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Together, the companies are searching for forward-thinkers who propose environmentally friendly solutions that focus on specific areas such as prevention and early diagnosis; improved disease management and personalized treatments; and expansion of care. Startups in the field of medtech, diagnostics, and digital health are a priority for this challenge. While the startups must have a focus on the U.S., applicants can have a global reach. Applications are open now through September 30, 2025 and can be submitted by visiting the website.

“At Chiesi we know living with chronic respiratory diseases is challenging on a daily basis and many patients live with symptoms that have long-lasting effects. This is why we are passionate about collaborating with startups that bring bold, patient-centered ideas to the forefront,” said Jon Zwinski, Senior Vice President and General Manager, United States, at Chiesi. “We want to discover and promote the ideas that are more than medicine as we seek to help more patients with respiratory diseases live healthier lives.”

Selected startups will receive strategic collaborations and partnerships with Chiesi and its global network, specifically support in areas such as research, development, mentorship, and regulatory navigation. Ultimately, selected startups will have the opportunity to receive investments from Chiesi through the company’s venture investment model.

“This call is a tangible opportunity to connect the most promising medtech innovations from around the world with Chiesi’s pioneering vision in respiratory care. By leveraging our global startup ecosystem and Chiesi’s deep scientific and clinical expertise, we aim to accelerate the development of breakthrough solutions that not only improve patients’ quality of life but also redefine what it means to deliver sustainable and accessible healthcare. It’s about creating real-world impact through purposeful collaboration,” said Tommaso Maschera, Director at Plug and Play.

Plug and Play will provide a dedicated team to support every phase of the process – from actively scouting startups aligned with Chiesi’s needs to promoting the initiative through its Open Innovation platform, active in Europe, North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa.

To learn more about the challenge visit the website.

About Chiesi Group
Chiesi is an international, research-focused biopharmaceuticals group that develops and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialty care. The company’s mission is to improve people’s quality of life and act responsibly toward both the community and the environment.

By changing its legal status to a Benefit Corporation in Italy, the US, and France, Chiesi’s commitment to create shared value for society as a whole is legally binding and central to company-wide decision-making. As a certified B Corp since 2019, we’re part of a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. The company aims to reach Net-Zero greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions by 2035.

With over 85 years of experience, Chiesi is headquartered in Parma (Italy), operates in 31 countries, and has more than 6,500 employees. The Group’s research and development center in Parma works alongside 6 other important R&D hubs in France, the US, Canada, China, the UK, and Sweden.

For further information please visit www.chiesi.com.

About Plug and Play
Plug and Play is the world’s largest Open Innovation platform: on one side, it connects startups with leading corporations; on the other, it invests and fosters investments to help startups grow – all with a global approach that facilitates internationalization and ties to Silicon Valley. Launched in 2006 and co-founded by Saeed Amidi in the legendary Lucky Building in Silicon Valley – the early home of Google, PayPal, and Dropbox – Plug and Play is now present in over 60 cities globally and is a leading innovation platform with more than 570 corporate partners, 90,000+ startups in its proprietary database, and over $12 billion in total investment in companies like Dropbox, PayPal, N26, and Hippo. In Italy, local offices (with associated acceleration programs) currently focus on sectors including Food & Beverage, Fintech, Sustainability, Automotive, Aerospace, and Smart Cities. In April 2019, Plug and Play opened its first Italian office in Milan, focused on Food & Beverage (with Tetra Pak and Barilla) and Fintech (with UniCredit and Unipol), later joined by Sustainability (with A2A, Eni, Snam, Sol Group, and Hera Group), along with partners like Amplifon, Atlas SGR, Fincantieri, and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. In July 2021, Plug and Play launched its Modena office dedicated to Automotive with the launch of the Motor Valley Accelerator (in partnership with CDP Venture Capital, CRIT, Fondazione Modena, UniCredit, and Corporate Partners STMicroelectronics, Dallara, Agrati, Unipol, OMR, and Hera Group). In April 2022, it inaugurated a new site in Turin focused on Aerospace and Advanced Hardware: the Takeoff Accelerator – an initiative by CDP Venture Capital promoted by UniCredit and Fondazione CRT co-investors, with OGR Torino as Innovation and Networking Partner, Leonardo, AVIO, and Unione Industriali Torino as Corporate Partners, and the European and Italian Space Agencies on the Scientific Advisory Board. In 2024, Plug and Play launched DualTech by Takeoff, an accelerator program in Turin that is part of NATO’s DIANA network to support dual-use technologies for defense and commerce. Also in 2024, the Catania office opened with CrossConnect, dedicated to Infrastructure (in partnership with CDP Venture Capital, ELIS, and Corporate Partners Eni, Saipem, Buzzi, and Sonatrach Raffineria Italiana).

Chiesi
Chiesi US Media Relations us.mediarelations@chiesi.com

Plug and Play Italy
Ilaria Battistutta - i.battistutta@pnptc.com + 39 328 3180979

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