At a special virtual Industry Day event in August, Phase 3 teams had an opportunity to learn from industry clinical laboratory subject matter experts through presentations and panel discussions. Hosted by industry supporters Labcorp and Quest Diagnostics, the sessions focused on the companies’ approaches to Lyme disease diagnostics and practical, technical, and commercial considerations for providing patient access to novel diagnostics through their clinical laboratories.
The LymeX Diagnostics Prize was thrilled to welcome the following speakers:
- Matt Clancey, Director of New Ventures and Strategic Alliances, Labcorp
- Dr. Laura Gillim, Medical Science Liaison, Infectious Disease, Labcorp
- Dr. Crystal Icenhour, Discipline Director, Molecular Microbiology, Labcorp
- Dr. Elizabeth Marlowe, Executive Scientific Director, Infectious Diseases, Quest Diagnostics
- Erin McCombs, Senior Director, Infectious Disease & Immunology, Quest Diagnostics
- Ankit Mehta, Director, Strategy and Corporate Business Development, Quest Diagnostics
- Dr. Meghan Starolis, Senior Science Director, Infectious Disease, Quest Diagnostics
Assessing collaboration models
The LymeX Diagnostics Prize is helping entrants overcome diagnostic development barriers by providing funding and technical assistance while fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and partnerships. To bring tests to market, teams will need to explore collaboration models ranging from research partnerships and fee-for-service arrangements to licensing deals and equity investments.
With industry support, innovators can draw on infrastructure, expertise, and resources. Speakers discussed critical factors for successful commercializations, including business models and go-to-market strategies.
Aligning with operational capabilities
The ultimate goal of the multiphase competition is to nurture the development of these diagnostics toward U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance. Following FDA approval, teams will need to navigate the complex diagnostics market — particularly when designing tests for large-scale, commercial laboratory settings. Speakers highlighted the critical importance of designing processes that have potential for automation, integrating with high-volume laboratory workflows, and providing sample stability during transport and storage.
Teams to present at Demo Day in the fall
Later this fall, each team will present and publicize their diagnostic tests at the Phase 3 Demo Day, showcasing their proposed solutions to stakeholders from government and industry, including clinician and consumer organizations.
The competition judging panel — composed of experts across sectors such as biology, clinical and technology translation, patient experience and advocacy, diagnostic science and technology, innovation, and ethics — will evaluate eligible Phase 3 submissions according to official Phase 3 evaluation criteria. The judging panel does not include representatives from either Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics. Based on this evaluation and judges’ recommendations, Phase 3 will award up to six prizes of $350,000 each.
The LymeX Diagnostics Prize is made possible thanks to a more than $10 million pledge from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. Neither Labcorp nor Quest Diagnostics are providing any remuneration to the awards.
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