Early in the pandemic, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the Diagnostic Development Initiative (DDI) to help organizations around the world accelerate diagnostics research and development. In the first phase of the initiative, AWS awarded $8 million in computing credits and technical support to 87 organizations in 17 countries. Some of the highlights include:

 

• Stanford University School of Medicine’s smartwatch app that detects early signs of COVID-19
• Ilumina’s identification of viral mutations through next-gen sequencing
• Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub used Machine Learning to estimate the number of unreported COVID-19 Cases
• University of British Columbia & Vancouver General Hospital applied machine learning to CT scans to identify indicators of COVIOD-19 and detect more severe progression of the disease. Then they open sourced the model.

 

Today we’re talking with Grace Kitzmiller, Principal Product Manager of AWS Disaster Response about the next round of DDI. AWS will distribute an additional $12 million in compute resources and technical support to organizations working in three areas:

 

1. Early disease detection
2. Prognosis
3. Public Health Genomics

 

And while AWS will continue to support COVID-19 projects, they will also consider projects focused on other infectious diseases.

The application is open now and runs through the end of the year. However, AWS is encouraging applicants to submit by July 31, 2021, for priority consideration.

 

In this interview we discuss:

 

• The details of the AWS Diagnostic Development Initiative (DDI).
• The problems AWS is trying to solve.
• How AWS is measuring the success of the initiative.
• The highlights and major outcomes from round 1.
• How the program is being expanded for round 2.
• How organizations can apply the compute, technical resources, and subject matter expertise made available through DDI.
• Who should apply?
• Plus, we do some brainstorming on possible solutions that could benefit from the program.

 

This is a great opportunity for organizations to accelerate their work in diagnostics and we encourage you to check it out.

 

Links and Resources

 

• AWS Activate offers startups free tools, resources, and more to quickly get started on AWS
• Registry of Open Data on AWS is a registry that exists to help people discover and share datasets that are available via AWS resources.
• Synthea provides realistic health data at no cost.
• Check out all our coverage in Infection Prevention and Control
• Check out our sister podcast TIPS Deep Dive Interviews for discussions with the best minds in global health.

 

 

The #HCBiz Show! is produced by Glide Health IT, LLC in partnership with Netspective Media. 

Music by StudioEtar