What You Should Know:
– Today, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the next phase of Diagnostic Development Initiative and expanded funding scope.
– In the first phase of the initiative, AWS has supported 87 organizations to date through this effort ranging from startups, nonprofits, research institutions, and businesses in 17 countries and awarded $8 million in computing credits and customized expertise from AWS Solutions Architects and the AWS Professional Services team.
– The call for submissions for opens today and interested organizations can apply here through the end of the year.
– AWS has set aside $20 million for this effort a year ago, and aims to distribute the remaining $12 million in support this year with an expanded scope starting April 12th that includes early disease detection, prognosis, and public health genomics projects – in addition to diagnostics.
– A year into the pandemic, the need for accurate detection is more critical than ever. According to the World Health Organization, global cases of COVID have seen a resurgence in the past month – including in parts of Europe where new lockdown restrictions have been imposed. Testing also remains crucial to track variants like the new “double mutant” variant that has been discovered in India.
