Deadline for applications is, July 15 2024 at 10:59 PM 

The New Orleans BioInnovation Center is pleased to relaunch the BioChallenge, an opportunity designed to source health security relevant companies for BARDA DRIVE with a focus on access and equity. 

The BioChallenge will award valuable in-kind mentoring and cash to selected finalist companies.  Applicants from across the nation and internationally are invited to participate. 

Challenge Timeline 

May 15th: Applications open 

July 15th: Application deadline 

July 29th– September 15th: Virtual pitches 

September 16th– October 1st: Confirm that times work with everyone 

October 1st: Finalists announced 

October 31st:  In-person final pitches at the New Orleans BioInnovation Center 

 

Areas of Interest 

The BioChallenge is interested in receiving a broad range of applications and is seeking novel biotech, diagnostic, therapeutic and medical device technologies with a focus on developing technologies that make health security outcomes more equitable and accessible. Examples of such technologies include, but are not limited to: 

  • Flexible therapeutic and vaccine platforms 
  • Broad-spectrum antimicrobials—antivirals, antibacterials, and antifungals 
  • Host-Directed Diagnostics and Therapeutics 
  • Radiological/Nuclear/Chemical Threat Medical Countermeasures 
  • Burn/Blast/Trauma Countermeasures 
  • Pathogen-agnostic diagnostic technologies 
  • At-home diagnostic technologies 
  • On-Demand Manufacturing Technologies 
  • Microphysiological Systems or tissue chips 
  • Digital health tools focused on health security preparedness and response 

  

Ventures involving technologies licensed from universities or research labs are encouraged to apply. Intellectual property is required, but a business does not already need to be organized.  

Eligibility: 

  1. An Applicant can be a duly-organized and existing legal business entity, including a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or joint venture, or similar business organization or association under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Company is organized. The applicant can also be an individual or team with a venture involving technologies licensed from universities or research labs. 
  2. If the applicant is a Company, it can be organized as a for-profit or non-profit entity. 
  3. If the applicant is a Company, it must be in good standing in the state in which it is organized. 
  4. All technology involved in the venture must be advanced enough that it is capable of demonstration.
  5. Company will be encouraged but not be required to locate at the New Orleans BioInnovationCenter.
  6. The BioChallenge welcomes international applicants. 

Application Process: 

  1. Phase I ScreeningApplicant submits basic non-confidential information regarding company and business concept. BioChallengeand program partners will review initial applications and select up to fifteen applicants to proceed to the Phase II Virtual Presentation. The semifinalists will be asked to submit more detailed, non-confidential information, such as business plans, financial information and projections, IP information, and related documents. 
  2. Phase II Virtual Presentations Selected applicants will be invited to present their company virtually, providing a four-minute presentation to a Panel of Reviewers comprised of program partners and investors; this will be followed by one minute Q & A. Panel of reviewers score semifinalists. Finalists must be willing to attend and give presentation in person on October 31st to be considered for an award. Judges will deliberate and Finalists will be announced by October 1st2024. 
  3. Phase III Reception & PresentationsApplicant attends in-person pitch event on October 31st, 2024, providing a 10-minute presentation to a Panel of Reviewers comprised of program partners and investors; this will be followed by five minute Q & A. This event will be open to the public. Panel of reviewers score finalists. Finalists must attend and give presentation in person to be considered for an award. Judges will deliberate and awards will be announced that evening.
  4. Incubation of Award Winners at BioChallengeUpon selection of the applicants receiving awards

  

Selection and Judging Criteria: 

Applicant will be evaluated based on its chance for market success. The following categories will be used in evaluating the applicant. 

  • Unmet need 
  • Area(s) of focus / in scope with call for applications 
  • Proposed solution 
  • Clinical status 
  • Market status 
  • Regulatory pathway and status 
  • Competitive Advantage 
  • Management team strength 
  • Funding Requirements and Financial Forecast 
  • Business Plan 

Legal Documentation Required:

The below documents should be available upon request: 

  • Articles or Certificate of Incorporation (corporation) or Articles of Organization (limited liability company) or Articles of Limited Partnership, or similar publicly filed organic documents. 
  • By-laws (corporation), Partnership Agreement, or Operating Agreement (limited liability company). 
  • Certificate(s) of good standing from the state of Louisiana and, if applicable, from state or country of organization. 
  • Redacted License Agreements, where applicable, noting Company’s IP rights. 

Prizes: 

The BioChallenge will award from a pool of over $100,000 cash prizes and in-kind sponsorship. This may include and be in the form of: general services, legal services, design services, regulatory services, and reimbursement services. 

Final Scoring, selections, and award(s) are made at the sole discretion of the Panel of Reviewers. 

Disclosure of Information: 

No promise of confidentiality, non-competition or non-disclosure is made by the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, Reviewers, and Sponsors. Any company submitting information for consideration in this competition acknowledges that its information may be made public, and that any presentations may be open to any interested parties, including the general public. 

Limitation of Liability: 

Applicant releases the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, the New Orleans BioFund, and all program sponsors detailed throughout, and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, reviewers, sponsors, and all award suppliers from any and all liability for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind resulting from acceptance, possession, or use of any award or participation in this competition, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. 

Applicant agrees to indemnify the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, the New Orleans BioFund, and all program sponsors detailed throughout, and their respective sponsors, reviewers, agents or employees against any claim that Company’s involvement violated any rules or regulations of the U.S. or any other country as a result of Company’s participation. 

Applicant or individual is solely responsible for compliance with any laws, rules and regulations that may be applicable to participation in the competition or to any awards received. 

Applicant or individual is solely responsible for all (both U.S. and non-U.S.) taxes, withholdings or other governmental assessments that might be applicable as a result of participating in this competition. 

Governing Law: 

The parties agree that this Competition shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced according to the laws of the state of Louisiana. 

For any questions, please email info@neworleansbio.com / please share only non-confidential information throughout the application