A LifeArc-funded prize to incentivise the use of AI and machine-learning approaches in drug discovery for ALS, a form of motor neuron disease (MND), will be launched early next year.
The Longitude Prize, which is run by innovation prize experts Challenge Works will launch in Spring 2025 and follows on from the success of the Longitude Prize on AMR and the Longitude Prize on Dementia.
The new multi-million-pound prize will be principally funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and others including LifeArc, Nesta, Alan Davidson Foundation, and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. In addition to focus on new approaches for ALS drug discovery, it is hoped that the prize could open the door for new treatments across other neurodegenerative diseases too.
The total value of the prize pot and full details of how to enter will be announced at launch in Spring 2025.
“ALS is a highly complex disease for which there are no effective treatments. The great promise is that AI can now handle this complexity. That’s why we predict that ALS shall be the first disease to become treatable due to AI. This prize is a rallying call for AI and ALS experts everywhere. We’re excited to be announcing this third modern Longitude Prize and look forward to sharing more details on the prize in the new year.”
Tris Dyson, Managing Director at Challenge Works
As with the previous two Longitude Prizes, the work has been supported by the acclaimed experts on the Longitude Prize Committee, including Dame Wendy Hall, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton and Lord Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal. The launch of the new prize will also see the appointment of Tanya Curry, Chief Executive of the MND Association to the committee.
“The Longitude Prize is an innovative approach which has the potential to be transformative for motor neurone disease research. We are investing as the principal funder, confident that the prize will bring exciting new technologies and create unique collaborations, to accelerate the search for effective treatments for this brutal disease.”
Tanya Curry, Chief Executive at the MND Association
LifeArc is proud to be supporting the prize as part of its Motor Neuron Disease Translational Challenge (MND TC), a multi-million-pound programme designed to accelerate scientific progress and innovation for people living with MND.
Media contact
Hannah Severyn
Head of Media and PR at LifeArc
