ARPA‑H cut approximately 20 employees and contractors from roles tied to operations and commercialization, according to multiple sources and an HHS confirmation. The agency said scientific staff and program work remain intact while functions focused on moving discoveries to market were reduced. The reductions will likely slow some translational activities and affect partner engagement models intended to accelerate commercialization of high‑risk, high‑reward biomedical technologies. Observers say the changes reflect the challenges of standing up a novel federal agency with a mandate to bridge discovery and commercialization; stakeholders will monitor whether program execution or funding allocations shift as a result.