Solving the Unsolvable

We find real-world, scalable solutions to seemingly intractable problems.

From blindness to cancer to never-before-seen diseases, there is no challenge we won’t tackle – and we’re finding answers that have eluded scientists for years. Learn more about what we’ve done – and what’s on the horizon.

A History of Breakthroughs

Teams at CHOP have been making life-changing breakthroughs for more than 160 years. Take a look back at our amazing history.

Opens America’s first pediatric hospital - 1855

Creates first formal training for pediatricians - 1873

Develops first closed incubator for infants - 1938

Develops balloon catheter, allowing first nonsurgical treatment for heart defects - 1965

Creates first follow-up program for long-term survivors of childhood cancer - 1983

Develops first noninvasive test to diagnose focal hyperinsulinism, enabling a surgical cure - 2004

Opens first delivery unit for mothers carrying babies with known fetal anomalies - 2008

Launches world’s first Center for Lymphatics Disorders - 2015

Performs the first pediatric bilateral hand transplant - 2015

Drives first FDA approval of CAR T-cell cellular gene therapy for pediatric leukemia - 2017

FDA approves CHOP developed gene therapy for inherited blindness - 2019

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