Many people end up with anti-microbial resistance because of indiscriminate use of antibiotics. But, can there be a diagnostic tool that can help identify the right and effective antibiotic to treat a patient?
The U.K. government’s £10 million Longitude Prize is a hunt for a diagnostic tool that will help conserve antibiotics for future generations.
Speaking at a panel discussion in the city on the Longitude Prize on Wednesday, British Deputy High Commissioner Ian Felton said the challenge is to find a way to create a cost-effective, accurate, rapid and easy-to-use test for bacterial infections that will allow health professionals worldwide to administer the right antibiotics at the right time. The prize commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Longitude Act of 1714, the first British challenge prize, to determine longitude at sea. It is being developed and delivered by Nesta and supported by Innovate UK as funding partner.
