Horizon Therapeutics has just announced the kickoff of the second annual global innovation challenge, the Horizon Prize in partnership with MIT Solve. The Horizon Prize asks a unique question to encourage entrepreneurs and innovators around the world to be creative in solving a problem faced by more than 400 million people worldwide living with a rare disease. Up to two winners from thousands of innovators, scholars and inventors who submit solutions will be awarded total funding of $150,000.
This year’s issue, “How can we improve the quality of life of people who have been diagnosed with a rare disease?” aims to find solutions to empower patients with information and resources, promote community and network, optimize holistic care that supports day-to-day care management, improve data sharing between provider and patient, and reduce barriers to accessing medical care following diagnosis. Participants can register here.
“The Horizon Prize gives innovators around the world the opportunity to develop potential solutions to improve the quality of life for people with rare diseases,” said Tim Walbert, President and CEO of Horizon. “I live with a rare disease and I know that the journey to diagnosis can be long and complex, with a significant impact on the quality of life of the patient and their family. Through the creativity of the Horizon Prize platform, breakthrough ideas are given the support they need to scale up and potentially deliver a life-changing intervention to the rare disease community. »
The Horizon 2021 award focused on how technology can help improve access to care for people with rare diseases, and the winners — Congenica and ThinkGenetic — provided solutions that helped patients during the diagnostic phase and for access to care.
“The first step in any health journey is diagnosis. Technology gives us the ability to help recognize rare diseases in patients at an earlier stage, including in medically underrepresented groups,” said Sandro Morganella, MD, Head of Artificial Intelligence at Congenica. “The funding we received through the Horizon Prize in 2021 allows us to expand our use of data to diagnose rare diseases to contribute to greater health equity around the world. »
Source and visual: Horizon / MIT Solve
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