About the prize
Most snakebite deaths are preventable, but patients often cannot reach the right care fast enough. We must close the gap between the initial bite and access to effective emergency care.
The Wellcome Snakebite Innovation Prize is designed to elevate snakebite as a global health priority and demonstrate the power of innovation in tackling its distinct challenges.
The prize is calling for innovators to tackle critical challenges and improve outcomes for people affected by snakebite in high-burden settings by strengthening community responses, accelerating access to appropriate care, or improving the delivery of treatment.
We’re calling for innovations that improve outcomes for people affected by snakebite, through stronger community responses and faster, equitable access to quality medical care.
We need practical, diverse solutions – not just high-tech apps, but improvements in logistics, community trust, first aid, and referral systems.
Innovations are needed across the patient journey in order to support better community responses, help people receive appropriate care faster, diagnose and assess the type of care they need, and improve the quality of medical care snakebite patients receive.
Why snakebite?
With the World Health Organization’s target to reduce snakebite mortality and disability by 50% by 2030, the clock is ticking. While promising scientific work is underway to develop next-generation treatments and improved antivenoms, there is a real need for technological, social and system-level solutions to maximise the reach of these treatments and ultimately improve health outcomes. To tackle the complexity of snakebite, we must holistically consider and address the surrounding challenges along the patient journey.
What is a challenge prize?
Challenge prizes spark innovation by rewarding those who can most effectively solve a defined problem. Unlike a recognition prize, rather than rewarding past achievements, they act as an incentive for meeting a specific challenge, setting clear goals and success criteria that encourage diverse problem-solving approaches. Through a public competition, they tap into the broadest possible range of ideas from diverse problem-solvers, thereby enabling anyone who can address the challenge to engage and participate.
The value of challenge prizes goes beyond the cash awards. Through the competitive process, innovators develop skills and build capacity. This helps to break down barriers to participation and supports innovators’ long-term success. The attention generated by a challenge prize can also have a much wider systemic impact by raising awareness of a neglected problem.
Why are Wellcome funding the prize?
Wellcome has primarily focused on transforming the way in which snakebite treatments are researched, developed and delivered – improving the current landscape while strengthening the pipeline for new treatments. Further work is needed to integrate solutions into health systems, while also addressing the broader challenges experienced across the snakebite patient journey.
Snakebite is a neglected health issue with limited funding and a small research community. This prize is a first of its kind opportunity for collaboration and innovation – between those already working in the snakebite field and those who are new to it – to help accelerate solutions for those affected by snakebite.
Ten launch finalists will receive £75,000 each for the finalists’ development phase.
Two launch winners receive £750,000 each for the winners’ development phase.
Launch entry eligibility: You have an early-stage concept and are seeking proof-of-concept, or, you have an early to mature concept requiring major adaptation or redesign from a neighbouring field that you will repurpose and validate for snakebite patients.
You are eligible for the Launch track if your solution fits one of these descriptions:
Your solution is a completely novel, early stage idea.
Your solution is currently available or under development in a field outside of snakebite, and will require major changes to be suitable for snakebite patients.
