The purpose of the new programme is to rapidly identify technological solutions to the growing challenge of Alzheimer’s disease.

Teams and researchers can apply now to be considered to take part, states EIT Health. Participants will work with experts to receive mentoring and funding to bring their ideas to patients and their families in the form of new products and services.

“Alzheimer’s, alongside cancer, is our next big challenge following COVID-19. The pandemic has shown us clearly what can be achieved when science is put in the driving seat, and collaboration and focus are the words of the day. We must now use those lessons and the momentum to solve the devastating diseases that have been affecting us for a long time but will affect us much more acutely in the near future. Our experience tells us that while there are many great healthcare ideas waiting to be unlocked, the real difficulty is finding the right people and environments to deliver them to the market quickly and effectively. Direct collaboration between EIT Health and Biogen will give us all of the ingredients to foster, grow and test ideas, and rapidly commercialise those that can have impact,” says Jan-Philipp Beck, CEO of EIT Health.

Targeted start-up-collaborations

Over a period of 10 weeks, teams will undergo an intense mentoring and validation process facilitated by EIT Health and Biogen experts. Following the work, teams will pitch their idea to an independent panel of experts, consisting of leading neurologists, patient representatives and payers who will award 100,000 EUR and 50,000 EUR prizes to the two best solutions.

“Through targeted start-up-collaborations, Biogen’s ambition is to combine the best in neuroscience and technology in one state-of-the-art open innovation platform – Neurotech Labs. We are thrilled to join forces with EIT Health and, together, create value for patients which exceeds the sum of our parts,” says Dr. Wolfram Schmidt, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Biogen Germany.

The application deadline is 19 December 2021.

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