Development of new diagnostic tools and technologies: in vitro devices, assays and platforms

Specific challenge: The development of new diagnostics (more sensitive, robust and selective) for improved clinical practice demands the translation of multidisciplinary scientific and technological knowledge from diverse fields into clinical applications. Innovation in this area relies on the development, translation and uptake of existing, new or evolving and often complex technologies.

Improved clinical decisions based on new and improved diagnostic tools and techniques should lead to better health outcomes while contributing to the sustainability of the health care system.

This is also a field where many small European companies are active.         

Scope: Proposals should focus on the development and application of novel in vitro diagnostic tools and technologies (including assays and platforms). The novel application of existing tools and technologies is not included. These tools and technologies should improve the performance of diagnosis, prediction, monitoring, intervention or assessment of therapeutic response, with a significant impact on clinical decisions and health outcomes.

Additionally, proposals may include approaches based on high-throughput screening, nanotechnologies or microfluidics, data analysis methodology, or technologies for point-of-care diagnostics.    

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 4 and 6 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: This should provide:

         Innovative, more accurate, more reliable and cost effective in vitro diagnostic tools and technologies for earlier disease diagnosis, patient stratification and/or prognosis of disease outcome leading to improved clinical decisions and health outcomes.

         Contribution to the sustainability of health care systems.

         Growth of the European diagnostics sector, in particular for SMEs.           

Type of action: Research and innovation actions