LymeX Diagnostic Prize

A prize competition to accelerate the development of Lyme disease diagnostics

10 Phase 1 winners have advanced to the Phase 2 accelerator.

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. Phase 1 awarded $1 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, $9 million in additional LymeX prizes are projected to be available to proposed future phases.

LymeX Diagnostics Prize timeline

Phase 1 was open to all eligible entrants to submit concept papers and plans for development.

Competition launch

May 17, 2022

Submission deadline

August 8, 2022

Judging

Fall 2022

Phase 1 winner announcement

November 2022
We are here

Phase 2 launch

January 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.

Thanks to a pledge to the LymeX Diagnostics Prize from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, $10 million in LymeX prizes are projected to be available across all potential competition 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

Phase 1 prizes awarded

Stay informed about the competition.