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University Lab Partners and BARDA Launch ReadyDetect

In an effort to revolutionize diagnostic capabilities en masse, University Lab Partners (ULP) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) have introduced the ReadyDetect Competition, a $10 million initiative that encourages global innovators to develop high-performance diagnostics. This competition is a response to the urgent need for more accessible and effective testing methods, especially in decentralized settings, such as clinics, pharmacies, and even homes.

The Importance of Decentralized Diagnostics

During public health emergencies, centralized lab testing often falls short, leaving communities vulnerable and unprepared. Current testing methods, primarily lateral flow assays, provide affordability but lack the essential sensitivity and specificity offered by more advanced techniques like PCR. The ReadyDetect initiative seeks to bridge this gap, calling upon innovators to create user-friendly, cost-effective antigen tests capable of accurately detecting key pathogens marked by the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) as high-priority threats.

Competition Details: A Two-Part Series

The ReadyDetect competition comprises two main phases designed to support the development of groundbreaking diagnostic solutions:

Concept Stage (2025–2026)

Innovators will be invited to submit their ideas and technologies, with up to ten promising recipients receiving $100,000 each for their well-crafted concept papers. These concept proposals must detail the technology, development roadmap, and data validating feasibility, aiming to foster out-of-the-box thinking in diagnostic testing.

Prototype Stage (2026–2028)

Following the concept phase, the competition will advance to the prototype stage, where up to three outstanding projects may share a hefty prize of $3 million each. These funds will be allocated to support the development of prototypes demonstrating clinically relevant performance, readiness for regulatory approval, and potential for low-cost manufacturing.

Anticipated Timeline
The winners for the concept stage of the competition are expected to be unveiled in Spring 2026, setting the stage for continued innovation in the subsequent prototype phase, which will see its winners announced in Spring 2028.

Collaboration is Key

The ReadyDetect competition advocates for collaborative efforts, encouraging applications from commercial businesses, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations worldwide. However, it mandates that academic and non-profit entities partner with commercial enterprises to ensure scalability and commercial viability of their proposed solutions. An expert panel will evaluate submissions based on criteria including product design, feasibility, regulatory strategy, and commercialization potential.

A Vision for Public Health Preparedness

ReadyDetect is fundamentally driven by the vision of a future where communities can swiftly respond to emerging infectious disease threats. As healthcare systems pivot toward decentralized models, this initiative is poised to empower communities through advanced diagnostic tools that are not only precise and resilient but also readily accessible in times of crisis. By innovatively addressing these key sectors in public health, ReadyDetect aims to bolster overall pandemic readiness.

For more information about the ReadyDetect competition and to submit applications, interested parties can visit University Lab Partners.

About University Lab Partners

Based in Orange County, California, University Lab Partners (ULP) is a nonprofit wet-lab incubator dedicated to supporting life science startups through infrastructure, community, and accelerator programs aimed at advancing innovations from conception to commercialization.

About BARDA

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, driving national efforts in developing and deploying medical countermeasures for public health emergencies. Through initiatives like I-CREATE, BARDA extends funding, technical support, and pathways to commercialization for innovators in the field.

This project has received backing from federal funds, particularly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under agreement number 75A50124C00007.