Open Call For HealthTech Protoypes Powered By LEO Innovation Lab

LEO Pharma, the leading global company for people with skin diseases, assigned its independent innovation unit LEO Innovation Lab to host two challenges, focusing on the improvement of people’s lives. The Danish company is part of a long-term strategic decision to focus on patient needs and solve struggles they face on a daily basis due to their conditions.

LEO Innovation Lab does not develop medical treatments, instead, puts the improvement of the quality of life in the center of their attention. Now, the unit is looking for HealthTech startups & innovators to join them by entering their prototypes into one of the two challenges. Apart from changing the lives of millions, there are other perks for the winners, like the opportunity to further develop their projects and winning up to $150.000 of prize money.

Challenge #1: Relieve The Itch

In the first case, LEO Innovation Lab is looking for a digital or device solution, enabling people suffering from a skin condition (e.g. psoriasis or eczema) to find a relief from their itch or live more comfortably with it. The solution can either be based on soft- or hardware, assuming users have access to a smartphone.

The need to find a solution becomes increasingly evident when the situation one person suffering from a chronic skin condition is considered: “It is terrible. It’s hard to explain because your skin has a totally different texture than normal. It’s not like a mosquito bite. It comes from underneath. And it’s a bigger area. I scratch until it bleeds. And if you scratch a mosquito bite until it bleeds it stops itching but this continues. So, in the end, you scratch yourself skinless”.

$50.000 await the winners of this challenge, who will be the one submitting a prototype solution that best meets the judging criteria (in the case of a tie the winner will be selected at the discretion of the judging panel). Additionally, the winner may also receive further benefits, such as:

• Investment
• Collaboration for commercialization
• Access to sales force
• Access to a network of patients and healthcare providers through both LEO Innovation Lab and LEO Pharma

Challenge #2: Skin Prediction

The second challenge exclusively revolves around Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that occurs in episodes. The next flare-up cannot be predicted, although factors that trigger episodes are known. Thus, maintaining a normal life can be difficult for patients as one of them states, “It’s easy with kids, they ask. Adults don’t, they just look and judge. That’s sometimes a hindrance and it effects me. I usually wear long sleeves, also in the summer. I cover up”.

LEO Innovation is seeking a solution that is capable of predicting skin flare-ups, helping numerous people with a “call-for-action” – a call-for-action would empower people living with psoriasis to be in charge of their skin. The solution will allow for more proactive treatment, drastically reducing the amount of medicine needed.

For this challenge, a total prize of $100.000 will be awarded to the prototype solution that best meets the judging criteria. As in the first challenge, the winner can become part of LEO Innovation Lab, offering more benefits, like investment, collaboration for commercialization, access to a sales force, as well as access to an existing network of patients and healthcare providers.

More background to both challenges is available through the website for both, Skin Prediction & Relieve The Itch.

Digital and HealthTech startups throughout Europe are welcome to enter their prototypes in either one, or both of the challenges. Got what it takes? Submit till June 1st to make an impact on millions of lives!

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