Lyfebulb Seeks Applicants for the Global 2022 Innovation Challenge, in Collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb, to Address Unmet Needs in IBD
NEW YORK September 20, 2022 — Lyfebulb, a patient-empowerment platform that connects patients
with industry experts to support user-driven innovation, invites entrepreneurs to apply to the
“Addressing Unmet Needs in IBD” Innovation Challenge in collaboration with Bristol Myers Squibb.
The Challenge is seeking a wide range of solutions to improve lived-experience and outcomes for
individuals affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including:
- Diagnostics, monitoring, and patient services
- Disease education and awareness
- System-wide improvements to care
- Quality of life and mental health
- Access and health equity
“Inflammatory Bowel Disease greatly impacts the everyday lives of patients and their loved ones, and
there are many unmet needs that must be addressed. Through this challenge, we encourage innovative
thinkers from all over the world to bring us new ideas and solutions to change the paradigm,” said
Dr. Karin Hehenberger, CEO and Founder of Lyfebulb.
Selected applicants will receive an invitation to pitch their business ventures to an expert panel of
judges composed of healthcare industry, medical, and patient leaders over the course of a two-day
summit at Bristol Myers Squibb’s headquarters in New York, N.Y. on December 8-9, 2022. A total of
$50,000 will be awarded to two finalists to further grow their companies.
In addition to the pitch competition, finalists will have the opportunity to engage with representatives
from the patient community, industry, Lyfebulb, and Bristol Myers Squibb leadership through learning
hubs and informal networking.
“Through our partnership with Lyfebulb, our goal is to empower the IBD community to bring forward
patient-driven solutions based on the everyday realities of this relentless and unpredictable disease,
with the potential to make a profound impact on living with and caring for the condition,” said Gary
Palmer, senior vice president of Immunology & Fibrosis Worldwide Medical, Bristol Myers Squibb.
The competition is free to enter and open to U.S. and international applicants. Official eligibility criteria
and terms and conditions can be found on Lyfebulb.com/Innovation-Challenges.
About Lyfebulb
Lyfebulb is an innovation accelerator that bridges the gap between patient communities and the
healthcare industry by working directly with patients and care partners to generate insights and build
new solutions to reduce the burden of living with chronic disease. The company operates two digital
patient communities, TransplantLyfe and IBDLyfe.
For more information:
Lyfebulb Contact:
Karin Hehenberger, MD, PhD
CEO & Founder, Lyfebulb
Phone: + 1 917-575-0210
Email: karin@lyfebulb.com