COLUMBUS — Ohio has launched the second stage of a global technology challenge aimed at finding solutions of the U.S. opioid crisis.
The contest’s challenge phase opened Wednesday. It invites business and innovation experts from around the world to propose technologies for diagnosing, treating or fighting opioid addiction or for protecting medical professionals and first responders from exposure to dangerous opioid residue.
Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich called in last year’s State of the State address for an effort to use science against the deadly prescription painkiller epidemic.
That turned into a two-pronged effort including the $8 million Ohio Opioid Technology Challenge and $10 million in research-and-development grants.
The latest phase calls on entrants to draw on expertise in IT, artificial intelligence, and biological or genetic diagnostics to develop technology that can identify individuals at high risk of addiction or overdose; pharmaceuticals medical devices or behavior modification innovations that might eliminate or reduce urges, cravings or symptoms of withdrawal; using communication or social media to get immediate help for addicts who are relapsing or overdosing; and technology to protect first responders from exposure to even small doses of potentially deadly street drugs like fentanyl.
Responses for the latest phase of the challenge are due by 5 p.m. July 11. Winners will be announced in September.