MedImmune launches Digital Health Challenge in the UK

Start ups and entrepreneurs in the UK who have developed, or are looking to create, a digital healthcare solution are being invited to submit entries to a new prize fund organised by MedImmune.

The winner of the Digital Health Challenge will win £20,000 and mentoring opportunities from MedImmune, the biologics research and development arm of AstraZeneca.

The start up competition reflects an increasing pharma industry engagement in the field, with many companies also launching venture funds and incubator projects to help foster the development of digital health.

Start-ups and entrepreneurs are invited to choose from a list of six topics and submit their best solution by Tuesday 3 April.

Entrants to the competition should choose from these six topic areas:

• Mhealth solution for measuring of disease progression in chronic respiratory disease - open to highly novel endpoints e.g. socialisation
• Data mining of eHealth records to aid focused patient recruitment (projects aligned to respiratory and allergic disease will be prioritised)
• Digital solution to improve site and patient trial experience, e.g. communication, just-in-time reminders, trial progress reporting, virtual visits
• Digital solutions to simplify and accelerate end-to-end clinical trial execution including overall trial management e.g. eConsent beyond electronic recording
• Re-purposing of home technology for clinical trial use e.g. smart TV, fridges (drug storage and utilisation)
• Mhealth solution for early detection of asthma symptoms and disease monitoring

The selection criteria for the entries will include the product's specifications, the company’s strategy, technical and feasibility parameters, as well as the strength of leadership.

Six finalists will have the chance to win the grand prize by presenting to a panel of prominent industry funding experts and executives:

• Jane Osbourn, Vice President, R&D, MedImmune
• Rene van der Merwe, Vice President, Clinical Development, MedImmune
• Andrew Williams, Vice President, Strategy & Operations, AstraZeneca
• Debu Purkayastha, Managing Partner, 3rd Eye Capital
• Andrew Chapman, Digital Health Sector Lead, Digicatapult

All finalists will receive mentoring opportunities from MedImmune, and will be asked to pitch their ideas at the MedImmune Cambridge Digital Health Forum, which takes place at The Hauser Forum on Tuesday 17 April.

Deadline for entries is Tuesday 3 April 2018. Finalists will be announced by Monday 9 April 2018.

Entries and further enquiries should be directed by email to Louise Rushworth at Cambridge Network – Louise.Rushworth@cambridgenetwork.co.uk