University Lab Partners and BARDA Launches ReadyDetect: A $10 Million Competition to Accelerate Next-Generation Diagnostics

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The ReadyDetect: Next-Generation Diagnostics Competition is a $10 million, 2-part competition to advance high-performance testing and expand low-cost diagnostics into the home or in the field. University Lab Partners' (ULP) I-CREATE, in partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), calls on diagnostics researchers and developers to partner and accelerate the development of high-performance antigen tests that can be applied to the detection of key pathogens on PHEMCE's high priority threats list.

The two-part competition challenges innovators worldwide to develop high-performance, multiplexed antigen tests that are cost-effective, user-friendly, and capable of detecting priority pathogens in decentralized settings from clinics and pharmacies to remote areas and the home.

The Need: Diagnostics Beyond the Lab

In a public health emergency, access to centralized laboratory testing is often limited. Current lateral flow assays, while cost-effective, lack the sensitivity and specificity of PCR. ReadyDetect calls on innovators to close this gap by creating solutions that are both affordable and accurate, enabling early detection and rapid response to threats such as pandemic influenza and filoviruses.

The Opportunity: $10 Million in Prizes

The competition offers two funding stages:

• Concept Stage (2025–2026): Up to 10 winners will each receive $100,000 for innovative concept papers detailing technologies, development plans, and feasibility data.
• Prototype Stage (2026–2028): Up to 3 winners may each receive $3 million for successful prototype development demonstrating clinically relevant performance, regulatory readiness, and low-cost manufacturing potential.

Concept Stage awards are expected to be announced in Spring 2026 and Prototype Stage by Spring 2028.

"ReadyDetect is about reimagining what's possible in diagnostics," said Stephanie Chan, Director of Innovation Programs, ULP. "By fostering collaboration across academia, startups, and industry, we can accelerate breakthrough technologies that bring reliable, affordable testing closer to the patient whether at home, in a pharmacy, or in the field."

Eligibility & Collaboration

The competition is open to commercial, academic, and non-profit entities worldwide. To ensure scalability and commercialization, academic and non-profit applicants must partner with a commercial entity. Entrants will be evaluated by an expert judging panel on product design, feasibility, regulatory planning, and commercialization potential.

A Vision for Public Health Readiness

As healthcare continues to move toward decentralized models, ReadyDetect aims to ensure that communities everywhere are better prepared for emerging infectious disease threats. The competition will advance diagnostic tools that are accurate, accessible, and resilient and ultimately strengthening pandemic response and public health readiness for the future.

For more information and to apply, visit https://www.universitylabpartners.org/readydetect

About University Lab Partners

University Lab Partners (ULP) is a nonprofit wet-lab incubator and accelerator based in Orange County, California, with facilities in Irvine and Aliso Viejo. ULP supports life science startups with infrastructure, community, and accelerator programming to move innovations from concept to commercialization.

About BARDA Accelerator Network

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leads national efforts to develop and deploy medical countermeasures for public health emergencies. Through the BARDA Accelerator Network, programs like I-CREATE provide innovators with funding, technical expertise, and commercialization support.

This project has been supported in whole or in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response; Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), under agreement number 75A50124C00007.

SOURCE University Lab Partners