Diabetics Look to Crowdsourcing For Better Medication

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is using crowdsourcing to look beyond the traditional resources of the health care industry and has announced a $100,000 challenge to search for better diabetes medicine.

The main objective is to find glucose-responsive insulin that reacts to the body by only releasing the precise amount needed according to existing glucose levels. This will eliminate the constant monitoring and managing that is currently required of diabetes sufferers. JDRF is using Innocentive as their crowdsourcing platform to facilitate this project.

In order to participate, an applicant must submit a written proposal and meet the published criteria. The challenge winner may be asked to participate in the second phase called the “Validation Phase”, and could ultimately lead to a position on the team that would develop the medication.

We are excited to be partnering with JDRF finding new ways to enhance the quality of life for patients while helping patients better manage their disease.
Dwayne Spradlin, CEO of InnoCentive

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Healthcare costs associated with diabetes exceed $376 billion making it a serious economic issue. By using InnoCentive’s Challenge platform and Global Solver Community many people can now participate in the solution and help bring this disease to an end as quickly as possible.