Ohio Invites the World to Join in Finding Scientific Breakthroughs to Curb Drug Abuse and Addiction

Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge to Find New Solutions for National Epidemic

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Oct 18, 2017, 12:00 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio is looking for new ideas to be brought to the fight against drug abuse and addiction through today's launch of the Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge. This global challenge is seeking new approaches and technology solutions whether they be from regular citizens or researchers and scientists.

Ohio is spending $1 billion annually attacking the opioid problem from every direction including prevention, education, treatment and recovery, and law enforcement. Recently, Ohio Governor John R. Kasich called for Ohio Third Frontier funding to accelerate scientific and technological breakthroughs that could help combat the U.S. opioid problem. The Ohio Third Frontier is a state initiative that identifies and advances promising technology.

"Whether you're a medical or healthcare expert, or simply a concerned citizen, we are calling on everyone to be part of the solution," said Director David Goodman, chair of the Ohio Third Frontier Commission.

The Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge will leverage $8 million of a $20 million commitment to advance new ideas in the battle against drug abuse and addiction. The Challenge is a multi-phase, multi-million-dollar prize competition with escalating prize amounts associated with progressive levels of solution development.

The first stage is the idea generation phase, which will collect ideas from technical and non-technical audiences including caregivers, service providers, researchers, citizens, entrepreneurs and anyone impacted by the crisis. Up to five ideas from the idea generation phase with the highest likelihood of leading to a solution will be selected for a cash award of $10,000 each. In addition, runners-up will be entered in a drawing to win $500 prizes; 20 will be awarded to citizens and 20 to technical professionals and experts.

The second stage is the challenge phase, using expertise of the worldwide business and innovation community to advance technical solutions in the areas of prevention, treatment, and overdose avoidance and response.

The final stage is the product phase, enabling winners of the Challenge to further develop their technology for market entry.

Responses for the idea phase of the Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge should be submitted at http://www.opioidtechchallenge.com/ and are due by December 15, 2017 at 5 p.m. US EST. Winners will be announced in late January 2018, and the second phase of the program, the challenge phase, will launch in February 2018.

The Ohio Opioid Challenge is being managed by NineSigma North America Inc. The company specializes in helping organizations in the public, private and nonprofit sectors find new solutions, knowledge and partners to accelerate innovation.

"We are thrilled to help the Ohio Third Frontier with this important challenge to accelerate new ideas and scientific and technological breakthroughs to stop the opioid crisis in its tracks," said Dr. Andy Zynga, CEO, NineSigma North America Inc."