Roche Canada Announces Winners of COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge

Program will fund 11 unique solutions for challenges posed by COVID-19 from Canadians across the country

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Hoffmann-La Roche Limited (Roche Canada) is pleased to announce the winners of the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge. After receiving over 800 submissions, Roche Canada has committed $900,000 to help develop and implement 11 unique and innovative solutions to the challenges we face from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare systems have been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in a variety of issues and problems affecting the daily lives of Canadians. Some challenges include health system capacity, and managing remote and rural populations, along with less direct yet also important challenges such as maintaining productivity while distancing. On March 27, Roche Canada established the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge and called on Canadians to come together to develop solutions that can help make a difference.

Individuals or teams were asked to submit a solution to a challenge or issue they have identified. Ideas came from across the country ? from Quebec to British Columbia ? and demonstrated Canadian skill and talent. Ideas brought forward included symptom monitoring and prediction in senior homes using artificial intelligence, the commercialization of fast-acting surface antimicrobial for high-touch areas, development of a simple low-cost ventilator for health system use, developing post-discharge virtual care with remote automated monitoring technology and many more. For an overview of all the winning submissions visit the COVID-19 Open Innovation Challenge page of RocheCanada.com.

"We want to thank all of the applicants and winners from across the country for stepping up to support during this uncertain and unique time," said Mike Duong, Head of Personalized Healthcare at Roche Canada. "The abundance of quality submissions demonstrates the amazing minds we have in our country and we look forward to supporting and championing this work. We hope these ideas will inspire others to follow their passion, continue to innovate and make a difference."

About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people's lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalized healthcare - a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the world's largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.

Founded in 1931, Roche Canada is committed to searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases while making a sustainable contribution to society. The company employs more than 1,200 people across the country through its Pharmaceuticals division in Mississauga, Ontario and Diagnostics, as well as Diabetes Care divisions in Laval, Quebec.

Roche aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Roche Canada is actively involved in local communities through its charitable giving and partnerships with organizations and healthcare institutions that work together to improve the quality of life of Canadians. For more information, please visit www.RocheCanada.com.

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© Copyright 2020; Hoffmann-La Roche Limited

SOURCE Roche Canada