10 teams are participating in a virtual accelerator designed to help them refine their concepts for detecting active Lyme disease infections in people.
A prize competition to accelerate the development of Lyme disease diagnostics
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
Phase 2 interim submission deadline
June 30, 2023
We are here
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