2026 Regeneron^® Ophthalmology Health Equity Challenge

There are approximately 7 million people in the United States affected by vision impairment, which includes 1 million with blindness. For many of these people, their eye conditions could have been prevented or haven’t even been addressed yet. Social determinants of health, the non-medical conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, can have a significant impact on health outcomes.

Insights from clinical and advisory stakeholders highlight that challenges exist across the entire patient journey, from awareness and diagnosis to treatment and long-term care.

Together, these challenges make it difficult for healthcare providers to identify patients experiencing inequities, tailor care appropriately and connect people to the resources they need. For many patients, barriers to care can mean missed screenings, delayed treatment, inconsistent follow-up and preventable vision loss.

Regeneron^® is committed to expanding access to care and improving health equity and outcomes by helping to remove barriers that prevent people from receiving the treatments and support they need. Through the 2026 Regeneron Ophthalmology Health Equity Challenge, Regeneron and MATTER, a premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, aim to engage the innovator community in developing scalable solutions that help reduce disparities in care, improve care coordination and advance more equitable outcomes for patients experiencing barriers to vision care. The challenge calls on innovators to develop scalable technologies that:

• Make individual social determinants of health more visible, measurable and actionable at the point of care
• Increase transparency and understanding of the factors that influence a person’s care journey
• Connect people to relevant clinical and community-based resources
• Support more coordinated care across stakeholders
• Reduce disparities in care and outcomes, including preventable vision loss

Participants selected for the challenge will gain access to a structured incubator experience designed to accelerate the development of their solution.

Participants will:

• Participate in a six-week incubator led by Regeneron and MATTER
• Receive mentorship from industry experts across healthcare, technology and innovation
• Engage with Regeneron stakeholders and subject matter experts
• Refine their solution, business model and go-to-market strategy
• Compete in a final showcase at Regeneron headquarters

Each selected finalist will receive a $5,000 stipend, with up to five finalists. One finalist will be awarded an additional $10,000 following the final showcase.

Selected participants should expect to:

• Actively engage in virtual incubator sessions and mentorship meetings, about 2-3 hours per week for six weeks
• Refine a scalable solution aligned to the challenge focus
• Collaborate with peers and advisors
• Prepare and deliver a final pitch presentation

We are seeking entrepreneurs and innovators based in the United States who are developing technology-driven solutions that address health inequities that can be adopted for use in ophthalmology and other therapeutic areas in the future. Solutions can range from early-stage concepts to products already in market. We encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and disciplines to apply.

Applications will be evaluated across two rounds:

Initial review

• Credible team: Relevant expertise, clear roles and ability to execute
• Compelling unmet need: Clear articulation of a meaningful and timely problem
• Viable solution: Differentiated, feasible and more than a conceptual idea
• Reputational fit: Professional, thoughtful submission aligned with Regeneron and program values

Final review

• Innovation: Novelty and creativity of the approach
• Significance: Alignment to the challenge focus
• Feasibility: Practicality and viability of execution
• Impact: Potential for meaningful, positive and scalable outcomes
• Sustainability: Long-term viability of the solution
• Measurable outcomes: Ability to define, track and demonstrate success

Applications will be open from September 29, 2026, through November 22, 2026.

Finalists will be notified between January 4, 2027, and January 15, 2027, and will participate in a six-week incubator running from January 18, 2027 to February 26, 2027.

The program will conclude with a final showcase at Regeneron headquarters on March 2, 2027.

See the full Terms and Conditions.

Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for serious diseases. Founded and led by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly translate science into medicine has led to numerous approved treatments and product candidates in development. Learn more at www.Regeneron.com.

MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.