February 2022
Overview
The Longitude Prize is looking for diagnostic tests that can be used safely and effectively at point-of-care settings globally, including in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The seven mandatory criteria to win the Longitude Prize include ‘Easy-to-Use’ and ‘Affordable,’ within which is ‘Globally Applicable’.
Diagnostic developers often focus on developing tests that suit high-income countries, entering revenue-driven markets to achieve commercial success and build a sustainable business. Entering LMIC markets can be challenging to navigate, particularly for small, early-stage companies.
To support Longitude Prize teams focus on making their point-of-care tests globally applicable, Nesta Challenges commissioned technical advice from Market Access Africa (MAA) – a consultancy specialising in market access strategies for point-of-care diagnostics in African countries. MAA assessed, using publicly available information, profiles of tests within the Longitude Prize cohort in relation to clinical and public health needs in two LMICs, namely Nigeria and South Africa – and identified pathways for marketing them.
Below is a guide to support Longitude Prize teams to make their products globally applicable, by providing practical recommendations which can be used to shape teams’ product commercialisation plans for marketing tests in different global settings. It is recommended that teams focus on section 1.5.2. Recommendations for teams.
