Challenge Works is currently designing a global Challenge Prize on ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). ALS is a devastating condition with no cure, affecting 1 in 300 of us. We believe a Challenge Prize can drive developments in ALS treatment and raise awareness of this life-limiting disease.
We know that a well-designed Challenge Prize has the potential to have a huge impact in the ALS treatment space and we are working with international partners to design a prize to bring change to those living with the disease.
The Prize we are planning is:
The Longitude Prize on ALS – Transforming Drug Discovery with AI: The Longitude Prize on ALS will open up data and utilise AI to identify and validate targets for transformative drug discovery
We are currently finessing our prize design. The initial design has been tested and designed in consultation with over 100 academic and commercial experts. We are now looking for funders, collaborators and partners to come on board.
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND), is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is currently incurable, with an average life expectancy post-diagnosis of just two to four years. Although often described as a rare disease, incidence is not uncommon: there is a 3 in 1000 chance that a person develops MND in their lifetime with ALS being the most prevalent subgroup of the disease. Current treatment for sporadic forms of ALS (up to 85% of those diagnosed) is restricted to one approved therapy and supportive care, however, research into the causes of the disease has accelerated in recent years.
The Longitude Prize on ALS – Opening up data and utilising AI to identify and validate targets for transformative drug discovery.
A £12 million, 5-year challenge prize that will identify and validate novel high-potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of ALS by harnessing the power of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning.
This global initiative will bring together AI-focused biotech, leading international experts in MND and computational biologists on a global scale and incentivise the development of ground-breaking collaborations to deliver new therapeutic targets for the MND community. Partnering with prestigious data holders internationally, the Prize will harness the power of the largest and most comprehensive MND datasets, providing access to these datasets to both academic and commercial partners.
The prize will comprise a scientifically rigorous programme to identify and validate therapeutic targets before building onward partnerships with industry and drug development programmes to ensure success. Working alongside those living with MND, the prize will raise awareness of MND internationally and will act as a voice to campaign on behalf of those living with the disease.
To make sure we get the prize design and focus right, we’ve consulted with over 100 organisations in the ALS space. We continue working with key opinion leaders, foundations, academic communities, patient groups, and commercial organisations to explore the most effective way to shift the dial on ALS treatment discovery and development.
We are now actively looking for collaborations and partnerships in the following areas:
“We welcome the care, collaboration and thoughtfulness of the Longitude Prize on ALS in designing their inspirational prize. The UK MND Research Institute is delighted to support the team at Challenge Works to get this impressive programme up and running.”
Ammar Al-Chalabi, Professor of Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics & Director of King’s Motor Neuron Disease Care and Research Centre
Those living with ALS are calling for disease-modifying treatments and faster access to those treatments. Research into the causes of ALS is accelerating but timelines involved in traditional drug development mean that for the majority of patients, treatments remain many years away. ALS remains underfunded and there is a relative lack of awareness of the condition with the public at large.
There is hope. In recent years there has been a shift in approach to the disease, thanks largely to patient lobbying groups and leading ALS charities. Green shoots of innovative practice are emerging, including the establishment of innovative trial platforms, higher levels of funding from the UK government, a lift in public awareness and the formation of a new Research Institute (MNDRI) and accelerator programmes.
As part of our Global Health portfolio of work, we have been looking into neurodegenerative diseases which gave rise to the Longitude Prize on Dementia and we are now expanding into ALS which we know could benefit from acceleration and profile-raising activities. Prizes work best to address underserved problems in need of transformational solutions and ALS is a prime example of that type of problem that we wish to champion and where we think we can make the biggest impact.
“Like thousands of other people living with ALS, I’ve experienced first-hand the shortcomings in available treatment. I believe our challenge prize can make a positive change to the landscape.” Tris Dyson, Challenge Works MD
