One Brave Idea

One Brave Idea operates as a dedicated research initiative focused on advancing the detection, prevention, and treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD). The organization develops novel methods for quantifying cardiovascular health, leveraging deep phenotyping, genomic analysis in clinical contexts, and integrative computational research. Its technical approach emphasizes identifying molecular events and biomarkers present in the earliest stages of CHD, aiming to enable interventions long before conventional risk factors manifest or symptoms appear.

The initiative was established by the American Heart Association and Verily, with significant support from AstraZeneca and Quest Diagnostics. This collaborative effort launched its Science Innovation Center in October 2017, driven by the insight that traditional, incremental research was insufficient to tackle the complexities of CHD. Dr. Calum MacRae, MD, PhD, Vice Chair for Scientific Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, leads the diverse scientific team, bringing a distinguished pedigree in cardiovascular medicine and innovation.

One Brave Idea's research output primarily serves the broader medical and scientific community, with the ultimate beneficiaries being patients at risk for coronary heart disease. The organization’s overarching vision is to fundamentally change how this leading global killer is understood and managed. It seeks to maintain individual wellness by comprehending the full trajectory of atherosclerosis, moving from diagnosis to sustained prevention across the lifespan.