Challenge EIT:Novartis

Terms and Conditions of the Competition

The participation in the competition “Challenge EIT” is subject to the acceptance of the following terms and conditions (the “Terms and Conditions”).

Organizer, object and timing

The competition called “ChallengEIT” (the “Competition”) is being conducted by Novartis Pharma AG, registered in Switzerland and located at Lichtstrasse 35, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland (hereinafter “Novartis”), together with EIT Health InnoStars [ 1117 Budapest, Neumann Janos u. 1/E, Hungary]  & EIT Hub Israel [Derech Menachem Begin 121, Tel-Aviv, Israel]  (hereinafter “EIT”, collectively with Novartis referred to as “Organizers” ) through the website www.biome.novartis.com (the “Website”), hosted by Novartis.

The Organizers joined forces to support and test some of the most exciting solutions that can fundamentally change our healthcare systems in several different ways.

Selected start-ups will have the opportunity to test and grow their solutions with the support of global mentors compiled by the Organizers to reach a successful Proof of Concept (“PoC”).

Participants can take part in the Competition from 09.00 CET

The Competition consists of four nominations:

1. Peer-to-Peer Medical Exchange

How might we improve Health Care Professionals (HCP) medical exchange and HCP education, that would enable physicians to easily communicate, share cases, consult, and exchange opinions leveraging knowledge & expertise?

2. Patient Journey Navigation

How can we support patients through their navigation of the complexity of their disease and treatment, ensuring they have accurate information about their conditions, rights & treatment, and to be able to manage their care effectively?

3. Predictive Treatment

HCPs want to better predict treatment response, given uncertainty around which treatment to prescribe to which patient and when to prescribe. How do we risk assess the patients, match them with the right treatment (personalized)? How can we transform the wealth of data and link it to the predictive nature how the patient will respond?

4. Access to Healthcare

How might we improve patients and /or people who seek healthcare support, access to healthcare services at an EU & the Member States Healthcare systems level? Especially in a time of crisis in Europe.

To register in the competition as Participant one shall comply with the following criteria:

• Legal entity duly incorporated in one of the Horizon Europe or associated countries including Russia.
• Own and/or are entitled to use the intellectual property (if applicable) that is the basis for the project.
• Currently not in the process of implementing a pilot project targeting similar objectives.

Participants must enter the competition by completing all elements requested in the form hosted on ChallengEIT Novartis – EIT Global Outreach (go-eit.eu) in the English language.

Any question Participants may have regarding the Competition or these Terms and Conditions should be directed to Maayan Sharon [email protected]  & Adi Horesh [email protected].

Legal entities cannot enter this Competition as a Participant if they are:

• under the Control of Organizers, any of their affiliates or an employee (or a first-degree relative of an employee) of Organizers. “Control” for the purpose of this section shall mean the direct or indirect ownership of more than fifty percent of the equity interest in such corporation or business entity, or the ability in fact to control the management decisions of such corporation or business entity.
• under control of the multinational pharmaceuticals corporations as the Competition is meant to bring broader visibility and opportunities to smaller realities such as Start Up or small/medium players in the healthcare field.
• under the Control of the companies, publicity agencies or promotion agencies involved in this Competition, or any of their affiliates.
• under the Control of anyone involved (or a first-degree relative of anyone involved) in the selection of the Competition Finalists and Winners (as defined below).
• under the Control of any individual or entities excluded per the exclusion criteria stated above or several such individuals or entities together.
• not fully owning the Proposal and/or the right to use the intellectual property rights that may be associated with the Proposal.

Participants agree to be subject to a background check as part of the selection process described below. Such background checks will be conducted to ensure the Participant is not engaged in illegal activity or any activity that would cause reputational harm to Organizers or any of their affiliates.

The Competition allows the participation of the two special categories:

a Healthcare Professional (“HCP”): Any member, student, or researcher of the medical, dental, optometry, optician, pharmacy, or nursing profession or any other person, social workers, clinical psychologists, formulary committee members, and pharmacy & therapeutics (P&T) committee members who, in the course of his or her professional activities, provides medical services and may prescribe, order, dispense, recommend, purchase, supply, administer, lease, or use pharmaceutical products and/or medical technologies, and all members of their office staff;

a Healthcare Organization (“HCO”): Any legal entity (such as a company, partnership, or healthcare institution), whether public or private, that offer/provide medical services to patients and may prescribe, order, dispense, recommend, purchase, supply, administer, lease, and use Novartis products, and all members of their office staff, and medical associations or organizations.    

Participants falling under the definitions of HCP and HCO may take part in the Competition if they confirm and agree with the following:

HCP/HCO participation is pro bono and Novartis is not expected and will not pay a fee for the participation in the Competition and will not reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses that might be incurred in connection with the Competition.

HCP/HCO are subject to their employer’s policies, including policies concerning external speaking engagements, conflicts of interest and intellectual property. To the extent HCP/HCO must obtain the permission, consent, or approval of any third party (including the employer) prior to participation in the Competition, by participating HCP/HCO confirm that such permission, consent, or approval is obtained. 

HCP/HCO are welcome to participate in the Competition as a result of their expertise, reputation, knowledge and experience regarding a particular area. Nothing in this Competition (including awarding the Prizes) should be interpreted as constituting an inducement or reward for actions taken and/or to be taken by HCP/HCO including prescribing or recommending a particular medicine or course of treatment. Participation in the Competition and the relationship created by it will not influence HCP/HCO decision making including recommending a specific product without clear and objective medical indication based on their expertise, knowledge, and clinical evidence.

At and during the Competition, HCP/HCO shall not recommend or discuss any “off label” uses for any products of Novartis or any of its affiliates, i.e. HCP/HCO will not recommend or discuss any use of a product made by Novartis or any of its affiliates other than for such indications that are approved by the competent authorities, such as without limitation the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency or any other competent authority, agency, administration or body as the case may be.

Any statement HCP/HCO makes in course of the Competition reflects their personal view or opinion. HCP/HCO statements are supported by their personal background and knowledge on the subject. HCP/HCO are not forced by Novartis to say, state or express opinions that are not theirs.

Novartis is committed to comply with the EFPIA HCP/HCO Disclosure Code (“Code”) and related transparency obligations. The EFPIA disclosure requirements will only apply if HCP/HCO primary place of practice or place of incorporation is located in an EFPIA country. According to the Code, pharmaceutical companies are required to publicly disclose transfers of value it makes, directly or indirectly, to or for the benefit of HCP/HCO related to the following categories: fees for service and consultancy and related expenses, contributions to costs related to events (e.g., registration fees, travel, and accommodation etc.) and, in the case of HCOs only, donations and grants to HCOs (“Transfers of Value”). 

Personal information, such as HCP name, together with Transfers of Value made by or on behalf of Novartis or its affiliates (as defined below), and the services performed in connection with the Transfer of Value, may be transferred to, stored or otherwise processed by Novartis, its affiliates, their third party service providers and their authorized agents, located in countries world-wide, including outside Switzerland and European Economic Area, as necessary and in accordance with the purposes of administration and compliance with applicable laws and industry codes, including the Code. Third party service providers and authorized agents are bound by data privacy and confidentiality or non-disclosure clauses in order to guarantee privacy rights and at least the same level of security as per applicable laws. They will process personal information only based on the instructions they will receive from Novartis.

HCP/HCO name, together with the Transfers of Value HCP/HCO receives from any Novartis Affiliate, will be publicly disclosed in the country where HCP/HCO has its primary place of practice or place of incorporation.  Such publication will be in a manner consistent with the Code as transposed in such country and its applicable laws and regulations. Any transfers of value for research and development will be disclosed on an anonymous basis. This public disclosure will be made on an annual basis for a full calendar year on the public website of the Novartis Affiliate in HCP/HCO country and/or on a central platform (e.g., the public website of the local EFPIA association of HCP/HCO country).

This disclosure is for HCP/HCO information only, and not a request for consent to disclose any personal information. HCP/HCO consent for disclosure, if required in HCP/HCO country, will be requested separately according to the Code as transposed in HCP/HCO country and according to HCP/HCO country’s applicable laws and regulations

Organizers reserve the right to exclude, at any time during the Competition, and in its sole discretion, any Participant who is not in compliance with these Terms and Conditions and/or any applicable laws and guidelines. Organizers shall be entitled to request from the Participant and, particularly, from the Finalists and Winners (both as defined below), any information and documentation needed in order to verify compliance with the Terms and Conditions.

How to participate in this competition

Participant must complete a form hosted on ChallengEIT Novartis – EIT Global Outreach (go-eit.eu) with information about (i) the Participant(s), (ii) the challenge they seek to address, and (iii) a description of their proposal to tackle the identified healthcare access challenge (the “Proposal” and/or the “Project”). This complete submission, including (i), (ii) and (iii), shall hereinafter be referred to collectively as “Submission”.

Participant also has the opportunity to upload media such as an image, video or .pdf file that represents the Participant’s Proposal (the “Picture(s)”), which can be used for promotional purposes throughout and at the conclusion of the competition. By accepting these Terms & Conditions, Participant authorizes Organizers and their affiliates to publicly use their Proposal information and Pictures free of charge in any media which may include, among others, Internet, and Social Media activities, including internal and external channels (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), webpages, printed magazines, etc., for any purpose related to the Competition.

A Participant cannot enter the Competition more than once. If a Participant submits more than one Proposal, only the first Proposal will be considered for the Competition. Participants may withdraw from the Competition at any time by e-mailing to Maayan Sharon [email protected]  Adi Horesh [email protected].

The deadline for Proposal submissions and registration is 23:59 CET August15^th, 2022.

Entry Rules

The Participant must respect the following rules regarding their Submission and participation in the Competition:

• The Participant will not post or share any comments violating the Terms and Conditions of the Competition or any law or regulation, or comments which induce such violation (in particular, any regulation protecting the honor, privacy, image, personal data and/or intellectual or industrial property rights);
• the Participant will not reveal or disclose any confidential or personal information of third parties or of minors;
• the Participant will not include anything illegal within their Proposal;
• the Participant will not provide information based on rumors or speculations instead of proved facts;
• the Participant will not impersonate the identity of third parties or manifest opinions on behalf of third parties without due authorization;
• the Participant will not include texts, graphics, audiovisuals, logos, links, or materials of any kind owned by third parties without due authorization.

Participant is responsible for the information, opinions, and Pictures they submit in their Proposal and information they post online. Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Organizers, their affiliates and any third parties from and against any loss, damages, liabilities, reasonable costs incurred in connection with any claim or proceeding arising from Participant’s actions, comments, and/or breach of these Terms and Conditions and which might be associated with the Competition and/or Organizers and their affiliates.

Use of the Website

Participant expressly acknowledges and agrees that Participant’s use of the Website is Participant’s sole and exclusive responsibility and must be in compliance with any terms and conditions provided.

By using the Website, Participant agrees not to engage in any conduct that might breach the law and/or the Terms and Conditions of the Competition, or damage the image, interests and rights of Organizers, their affiliates or third parties.

Organizers or their affiliates will not be held liable for any (i) interferences, omissions, interruptions, viruses, telephone failures or disconnections in the operative functioning of the electronic system; or (ii) delays or blockings in the operative functioning of the electronic system caused by deficiencies or overload of the telephone lines or in the internet, as well as damaged caused by third parties; which could be derived from causes external to Organizers and its affiliates.

Selection of the Winners of the Competition

The selection of the Winners will be conducted in four phases as follows:

In phase one, all Proposals will be reviewed by Novartis, EIT Health InnoStars & EIT Hub Israel representatives, filtering out any Proposals which are incomplete, do not comply with these Terms & Conditions or fit within the exclusion criteria set forth herein. The Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, which means that the earlier Proposal is submitted the earlier it will be reviewed submission and Participants will be invited for an online meeting to discuss further.

In phase two, the Proposals will be reviewed by Organizers’ representatives together with experts and partners.  The Proposal will be reviewed according to the following criteria:

• Patient and HCP impact, and the extend of answering the challenge
• Scalability Potential
• Feasibility and business promise of suggested solution
• Market validation and past business traction
• Technology Maturity level
• Motivation and expertise of the team
• Preference for start-ups from the EIT Health RIS region

In phase three, eligible Participants will be invited to a short online qualification interview (up to 30 minutes) after which their Proposals will be shortlisted upon the eligibility and excellence criteria (the “Finalist(s)”).

In phase four, the ranking committee will choose between 4-6 start-ups, based on eligibility and excellence (the “Winner(s)”) using the previously defined judging criteria.

The Winners of the nominations will be notified and announced on 18 August, 2022.

No recourse is available for those Participants whose Proposal is not shortlisted or not chosen as the winning application. Organizers reserve the right, in its sole discretion, not to select any Winners if Organizers and/or the judging panel find that no Submission meets the judging criteria. The ranking committee decision is final and Participants shall not have any legal recourse whatsoever on the process described above or on the final decision.

Participants will be invited to share the news of their participation in the Competition through their social media profiles. However, sharing on social media that they have participated in this Competition does not increase a Participant’s chances of becoming a Finalist or a Winner.

Publication of the list of Finalists and the Winners

The list of Finalists will be published on [18 August, 2022] on www.biome.novartis.com and on Organizers’ social media channels.

Prizes

Every Winner will receive a tailored value-added service including matchmaking with the business mentors, access to the data and other support required to reach a successful Proof of Concept. 

Under no circumstances will the Prizes be subject to exchange, alteration, or reimbursement. The Winners will be entitled to the exclusive Prize obtained as such, without the possibility to, in any case, apply for economic reimbursement in case they choose to give up the Prizes, or to endorse the Prizes to third parties. Organizers and their affiliates will be exempt from any obligation or compensation to the Participants if due to force majeure, legal imperative, or any other cause not attributable to Organizers, the Competition was suspended, or partially or totally cancelled. Any suspension or cancellation would be duly communicated to the Winners affected by such suspension or cancellation.

Delivery of the Prize

Once the Winners have been selected, organizers will contact them in writing or by phone in order to arrange the provision of the necessary data and to enter into an agreement to receive the Prize. organizers will develop a plan in collaboration with each Winner, determining the milestones at which the Prize shall be paid out and defining the further collaboration between Organizers and the Winner (“Plan”) if necessary, based on each Winner’s Proposal and its status of development. The Prizes will be paid out over the course of, at a maximum, two (2) months after the execution of the agreement with each Winner.

It is the responsibility of the Winners to have all the necessary documentation and to fulfill all requirements set forth herein to be able to collect and use their respective Prize. Winners are solely responsible for any taxes that may apply to the Prizes, as required by applicable law. Prize amounts are exclusive of any taxes that may be applicable.

If within 15 (fifteen) days of being contacted by Organizers, any of the Winners fail(s) to provide Organizers with their necessary data or expressly waive(s) the award, the Winners will hereby be considered to have waived the Prize and Organizers will contact the next-ranked Finalist (or Finalists) in writing or by phone. The next-ranked Finalist (or Finalists) will then be asked to provide the necessary data and to enter into an agreement in order to receive the Prize.

Intellectual and industrial property rights

Participation in this Competition does not grant the Participant any right of any nature, including but not limited to the intellectual and industrial property of the Website. The Participant shall refrain from obtaining or trying to obtain any intellectual or industrial rights associated with the Website or using the Website by means or procedures different from those provided to such effect. The Participant shall at all times respect all the intellectual and industrial rights of the Website.

Participant represents and warrants that he/she owns or has the right to use any and all information, including the Picture, any visual asset, the Proposal, data, methods and any intellectual property rights which it uses to participate in the Competition and develop the Proposal. Participant represents and warrants that he/she is aware of the publication of the Proposal as set out as set forth herein.

Organizers do not, unless it is agreed in writing with Participant, claim any rights of ownership in the Proposal or any intellectual property rights covering the Proposal. As such, Participant retains ownership and copyright on the Proposal, although Organizers and its affiliates are entitled to publish and use the Proposal as set out in these Terms and Conditions.

Authorization for the use of image rights

By participating in the Competition, Participant expressly consents for their image to be used externally in any manner.

Participant hereby grants a perpetual, worldwide, sublicensable license to Organizers and its affiliates to disclose the identity of the Finalists, publish their respective Proposal and use their images in any media which may include, among others, Internet and Social Media activities, including internal and external channels (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), webpages, printed magazines, etc., for any purpose related with the Competition. Any such use or publication will be made with no compensation to Participant.

Participant hereby warrants to Organizers that the person or persons whose image is shown in the Picture have provided their unequivocal and express consent for the capture of their image, as well as its public reproduction and broadcasting. In case the person appearing in the Picture is a minor, the Participant guarantees that he or she has obtained the appropriate express and unequivocal consent for the collection and public reproduction and broadcasting of the image from the parents or legal guardians of the minor.

Data Privacy

Participant may contact Organizers by email to [email protected] and/or [email protected] for questions relating to the use of their data or if they wish to exercise their privacy rights. They may request access to their personal data as processed by Organizers, withdraw their consent at any time or ask for correction or deletion of their personal data.

Assignment

The rights and obligations of Organizers under these Terms and Conditions may be assigned by Organizers to its affiliates or third parties without the consent of the Participant.

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

By participating in the Competition, Participant agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions, as well as by Organizers’ interpretation of these Terms and Conditions. For anything not regulated by these Terms and Conditions, the Competition will be subject to applicable laws and regulations current at the time of the Competition.

Organizers or their affiliates will not be liable for any events of any kind (e.g., interruption or loss of internet connection at the moment of the participation) which might be caused by a breakdown of the IT systems due to force majeure); or any incidences with origin in force majeure events derived from causes such as a breakdown of the telephone, IT, electricity, or postal networks, or provoked by natural external agents (atmospheric, climate-related, etc.), or by a deficient functioning of the companies providing such services.

Organizers or affiliates will not be held liable for any mistakes, incidents or damages that might arise during this Competition and that are attributable to third parties managing it.

Organizers or affiliates will not be held liable for any losses, damage, thefts, delays or any other circumstance attributable to third parties which could affect the running of this Competition, including the enjoyment of the Prizes.

This Amendment shall be construed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws. Legal recourse against Organizers and their affiliates for any matter related to this Competition is excluded.

Other matters

Organizers reserve their right to modify, if necessary, the Terms and Conditions of the Competition. Any delay or cancellation of this Competition caused by force majeure will be announced on the Website and Participants are encouraged to consult the Website after participating.

These Terms and Conditions are also available at the Website: ChallengEIT Novartis – EIT Global Outreach (go-eit.eu)