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Non-adherence in clinical studies jeopardizes the integrity of the study. Non-adherent study participants can lead to the following results:

• Increased the number of patients required to complete a study​
• Increased costs (higher site and patient recruitment)​
• Increased time to complete the study
• Increased investigational products overage and associated costs

The Pfizer Breakthrough Accelerator is therefore looking for new, innovative, patient-friendly solutions to continuously improve the adherence of investigational medicinal products in clinical trials. The solution should also allow for the prediction, assessment, and identification of potential risk factors contributing to clinical trial non-adherence in clinical trial participants.  

Goals of the challenge

• Solutions that provide support and motivation to remain adherent with investigational products as well as visit schedules throughout their trial
• Provide insights and analytics to better predict the adherence curve for clinical trial participants to allow for appropriate intervention to maintain investigational product adherence.
• Capture adherence metrics back to the study teams

What's in it?

1. Opportunity to participate in a Phase 2 Study

Winners,  upon Pfizer’s request, will first negotiate in good faith with Pfizer for the right of Pfizer to develop and/or license Entrant’s solution, including further changes and/or developments made thereof during the Challenge. Funds of up to $200,000 will be paid based on milestones and scope of work. To avoid any doubt, winning the Challenge does not automatically lead to further legally binding contractual agreements with Pfizer. The detailed terms of possible future agreements between Pfizer and the winner (or any of the Entrants) will be negotiated separately and will not be linked to the Term set herein.

2. Mentoring and Guidance

Pfizer experts from various areas are available to the winning team for up to 20 hours of mentoring. Together with the winner, Pfizer will work out the exact needs and goals of the mentoring in order to provide information and to connect the winner with the suitable mentors.

In case you have any questions regarding the Challenge please contact the organizing team at Pfizer under [email protected]

More inforation about the challenge

Focused on innovative solutions, new approaches and next generation products or services for industrial transformation, the i4Challenge offers a platform to help SME’s, startups and Industry 4.0 projects promote their products or services. The ultimate goal of the program is to enable a thriving production technology and industrial innovation ecosystem.

Depending on the stage of the project, applicants can register for one of the two categories "New Idea" or "Innovative Solution".

Learn more and apply today

Compared to other industries the survival of life science startups is particularly challenging due to long time periods and the capital requirement until market maturity. This is particularly due to the 4Cs: 

• C1 | Commercialization: planning revenue in healthcare system (e.g. reimbursement by insurances) 
• C2 | Certification: approval of product & company 
• C3 | Clinical Studies: prove evidence of the product 
• C4 | Copyright: use data / property rights strategically 

The goal of the program

With the program you will be able to answer i.a. the following questions: 

• Am I actually developing a medical device and if so, how do I determine this? 
• Which norms and standards do I have to consider? 
• Do I know the similarities between company certification and product approval? 
• What renumeration options does my product have in the health system? 
• Is a reimbursement by health insurance companies desirable for my product? 
• Is my product attractive for the self-pay market? 

Your benefits at a glance:

• Top-class experts: The program works with top-class experts who represent a decisive added value for participating teams. These hold senior positions in industry, are proven subject matter experts or seasoned entrepreneurs which guarantees the appropriate experience and quality of guidance to offer. 
• Individual Feedback & Education: During 17 workshop days high-profile external experts will elaborate the 4Cs on the individual needs of each team in sessions that are individually tailored. 
• Continuous project management: During 1 year we will guide you in processing the work packages resulting from the 17 workshop days. Progress is discussed in frequent project review meetings and necessary measures are derived. 

Who can apply? 

Eligible are all national and international students, professionals, founding teams and innovators, including clinicians, nurses, lab technicians, scientists who want to translate their innovative ideas into health solutions of the following domains: 

• Medical Devices (gadgets, machines, instruments, implants) 
• Therapeutics (drugs, active ingredients) 
• Diagnostics (laboratory tests or procedures) 
• Digital Health (data, analytics, software, monitoring) 

When will the workshop take place?

Date: October 7, 2022 – February 17, 2023, ever Friday, 9am to 5 pm 

(except December 23 and 30, January 6) 

Format: Online video conference 

The working language is English. Individuals and teams can apply until July 22, 2022. The program is funded by the "Start-Up BW" campaign by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Stiftung für Medizin-Innovationen and the B. Braun Foundation. 

Find more information and the application form on the Website of the MII

Focus topic 2022: Medical Life Tech

The Spark serves as a monitor for the revolutionaries, new thinkers and pioneers of the day after tomorrow: The award-winning startups have been able to develop into leading market participants in their field within the last few years. This year, the initiators are looking for entrepreneurs from the fields of medical research, medtech, pharmaceuticals, biotech, digital health and e-health who improve processes, procedures, automation and diagnostics or interfaces throughout the entire lifecycle with innovative technologies.
 

Benefits for the winners at a glance

As finalist and winner you will receive:

• valuable contacts, a competent network and relevant access
• a high-reach platform where you can present your company
• Reputation through a recognized award

Apply online until June 3!

Applications can now be submitted online at www.the-spark.de. Startup teams from Germany, Austria and Switzerland can apply. All applicants will once again go through a multi-stage selection process this year before the best ten finalists present themselves to the top-class jury in the live pitches. The winners will be announced at the award ceremony on 29 September.

More information about "The Spark"