Overview

The Newborn Survival Prize aims to incentivise and drive innovation for point-of-care diagnostics to combat neonatal sepsis in LMICs, where limited access to effective diagnostic tools often leads to excessive and inappropriate antibiotic use.  

Building on our expertise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and Challenge Works’ proven track record in designing impactful, global challenge prizes, we hope to improve newborn survival rates in areas with urgent medical needs. 

About the Newborn Survival Prize

The Newborn Survival Prize is designed to address one of the most critical challenges in neonatal care: the high mortality rate due to sepsis. Through targeted prize incentives and by supporting the development and scale-up of effective diagnostics for neonatal sepsis, this prize will empower innovators to create cost-effective, locally relevant solutions that work in LMIC clinical settings.  

Our process will include consultations with patients, families, clinicians, and other stakeholders in target regions to ensure solutions meet on-the-ground needs. Initial implementation will focus on 2 LMICs, with insights gathered to guide effective impact and adaptability. 

About neonatal sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of death among newborns in LMICs, which is made worse by the limitations of current diagnostic technology and an overreliance on antibiotics.  

Blood culture, the primary method for diagnosing sepsis, is costly and impractical in many low-resource settings, leading to widespread antibiotic treatment that can worsen AMR and patient outcomes.  

Addressing this diagnostic gap is essential to reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, improving survival rates and making a lasting positive impact in neonatal care.