LymeX Diagnostic Prize

A prize competition to accelerate the development of Lyme disease diagnostics

10 teams are participating in a virtual accelerator designed to help them refine their concepts for detecting active Lyme disease infections in people.

About the competition

The goal of the LymeX Diagnostics Prize is to develop diagnostics that can accurately detect active Lyme disease infections in people. The multiphase competition will nurture the development of innovative solutions toward Food and Drug Administration review. The first phase awarded $1 million, and the second phase will award up to $2 million. At the discretion of HHS and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, and subject to availability of future funding, at least one additional phase may follow Phase 2. Future phases are expected to focus on clinical and nonclinical validation of diagnostic test(s) that detect active infection by Lyme-disease-causing bacteria, as well as readiness for regulatory submission and market entry. Thanks to a $10 million pledge to the LymeX Diagnostics Prize from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, $7 million in additional LymeX prizes are projected to be available in proposed future phases.

LymeX Diagnostics Prize timeline

Phase 1 was open to all eligible entrants to submit concept papers and plans for development. In Phase 2, 10 teams are participating in a virtual accelerator to help them refine their concepts.

Competition launch

May 17, 2022

Submission deadline

August 8, 2022

Judging

Fall 2022

Phase 1 winner announcement

November 2022

Phase 2 launch

January 2023
We are here

Phase 2 interim submission deadline

June 30, 2023

Phase 2 final submission deadline

October 9, 2023

Phase 2 winner announcement

December 2023

Prize purse

A judging panel recommended 10 Phase 1 winners according to official evaluation criteria. Phase 1 winners were awarded $100,000 each from the $1 million Phase 1 prize pool and advanced to Phase 2.

The total prize amount for Phase 2 is $2 million. Up to ten Phase 2 teams that enter an interim submission may be selected to receive an interim prize of up to $75,000. Up to five teams that submit a final Phase 2 submission may be selected to receive an equal share of the remaining Phase 2 prize pool (at least $250,000 per winner).

Thanks to a $10 million pledge to the LymeX Diagnostics Prize from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, $7 million in additional LymeX prizes are projected to be available in proposed future phases.

 

Note: No future phases or prizes are guaranteed beyond Phase 2. Future phases may be launched at the discretion of HHS and Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, and any future prize amounts are subject to future availability and approval of funds.

$1 million

Prize amount awarded to date

Stay informed about the competition.