Phase 4 invites seven teams to execute their clinical validation plans and complete regulatory submissions to the FDA.
A $10+ million competition to accelerate the development of Lyme disease diagnostics.
About the competition
The goal of the LymeX Diagnostics Prize is to accelerate the development of diagnostics that can accurately detect active Lyme disease infections in people. The multiphase competition is nurturing the development of innovative solutions toward Food and Drug Administration review and clearance. The first three phases of the competition awarded $5.1 million in prizes, and Phase 4 will award up to $3 million in prizes. Up to $3 million in prizes will also be awarded to teams that receive FDA clearance.
The LymeX Innovation Accelerator (LymeX) was established through a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. The LymeX Diagnostics Prize was launched by this partnership, with the purpose of advancing scientific, technical, and clinical innovation to transform the diagnostics ecosystem for Lyme disease.
The LymeX Diagnostics Prize is made possible through a pledge of more than $10 million from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation.
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 participated in a virtual accelerator to help them refine their concepts. In Phase 3, six teams planned clinical performance studies toward validating their proposed solutions. In Phase 4, seven teams will execute their clinical validation plans and complete regulatory submissions to the FDA.
Competition launch
May 17, 2022
Phase 1 winner announcement
November 4, 2022
Phase 2 winner announcement
February 6, 2024
Phase 3 launch
April 10, 2024
Phase 3 submission deadline
October 31, 2024
Phase 3 winner announcement
January 16, 2025
We are here
Phase 4 launch
March 2025
Phase 4 submission deadline
January 2027
Phase 4 winner announcement
March 2027
Prize pool
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.
A judging panel recommended five Phase 2 winners according to the official evaluation criteria. Phase 2 winners were awarded $265,000 each from the $2 million Phase 2 prize pool. Nine teams were also awarded prizes of $75,000 each based on judges’ evaluations of interim submissions.
A judging panel recommended five Phase 3 winners according to the official evaluation criteria. Phase 3 winners were awarded $420,000 each from the $2.1 million Phase 3 prize pool.
The total prize pool for Phase 4 is up to $3 million. Up to seven teams may receive a share of the Phase 4 prize pool.
$3 million
Phase 4 prize pool