CLL Innovation Challenge
Advancing Tomorrow’s Care
We’re looking for innovative Israeli startups accelerating CLL care through advanced treatment management tools, improved patient navigation and enhanced quality of life – enabling more personalized, efficient, and comfortable care.
The Challenge
AbbVie Israel has partnered with Startup Nation Central to find innovative digital health solutions that improve the journey of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) patients and healthcare providers.
By enhancing both quality of care and quality of life, we aim to transform CLL treatment initiation and patient care, making the process more straightforward, comfortable, and seamless for both patients and physicians.
As part of Startup Nation Central’s mission to connect global needs with Israeli innovation and drive scalable impact in sectors that matter, this challenge will accelerate the adoption of solutions that ease healthcare’s operational burden.
Could your technology be the next game-changer?
Apply now.
What Will You Gain?
Collaboration with AbbVie Israel
The winner will receive exposure to relevant stakeholder within AbbVie & Startup Nation Central network.
Pilot
Opportunity
Expert
Mentorship
What Are We Looking For?
CLL is a chronic cancer requiring ongoing management and monitoring. Patients and caregivers face significant challenges, including frequent hospital visits and symptoms like fatigue and pain, which impact quality of life.
Thanks to recent advancements, time-limited therapies can now reduce disease burden to a level that enables treatment-free periods. AbbVie is committed to elevating standards of care and bringing transformative therapies to patients living with difficult-to-treat cancers such as CLL, allowing patients and caregivers to maintain a normal life routine is an essential part of disease-treatment management.
We seek solutions that seamlessly integrate into existing healthcare ecosystems and demonstrate real-world implementation potential in two key areas:
- Reducing the Treatment Burden for Patients and Caregivers
- Remote monitoring technologies, including solutions for remote blood testing (e.g., chemistry panels) and adverse event tracking.
- Technologies or services that improve patient experience and accessibility while minimizing daily disruptions.
- Enhancing Patient Quality of Life
- Novel approaches for managing CLL-related fatigue and pain.
- Digital health tools, wearables, or therapeutics that support symptom relief and overall well-being.
- Patient-centric innovations that empower individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives
AbbVie Israel welcomes any additional solutions that improve quality of care or quality of life for CLL patients and their caregivers.
TRL 5
Solutions should have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 and above.
Focus Area
Preference will be given to solutions addressing the areas of focus.
Multi-Use
Good solutions will address at least one focus area, while great solutions will tackle multiple areas, including technologies.
EMR-Ready
Priority will be given to solutions that integrate with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) based on FHIR.
Timeline
April 23
Applications Open
May 27
Applications Close
June 12
Finalists Notified
June 23
Finalists Pitch for Advisory Committee
July 1
Final Event
Advisory Committee
Dr. Yael Gruenbaum-Cohen
Partner
aMoon Fund
Dr. Avi Matan
General Manager
AbbVie Israel
Prof. Tamar Tadmor
Clinical Associate Professor Head of Hematology unit Bnai-Zion Medical Center
Giora Sharf
CEO
Flute of Light and CML Patients Organizations
Dr. David Tamoschus
Commercial Director, Venclyxto CLL, Oncology, Europe
AbbVie
Prof. Yair Herishanu
Hematology Specialist, Director of the CLL Unit and the Hematology Clinic
Ichilov Medical Center
Liat Alon
CEX Director
AbbVie Israel
Dr. Moran Barak
Medical Director
AbbVie Israel
Dr. Iris Adler
Head of BD & Global Partnerships
8400 Health Network
Nataly Hason
Oncology Commercial Director
AbbVie Israel
Aya Barak-Meiri
External Affairs Director
AbbVie Israel
Apply Now &
Join the Challenge
Our Partners
More About CLL
- What is CLL?
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer where B lymphocytes multiply uncontrollably in the bone marrow, the body’s blood production center.
Most cases are detected incidentally during routine blood tests when the absolute lymphocyte count exceeds 5,000 for more than three months. CLL typically progresses slowly but can cause:
- Enlarged lymph nodes (painless but may press on organs if large).
- Enlarged spleen or liver, leading to abdominal discomfort and early satiety.
- Anemia, causing fatigue, weakness, and dizziness, due to either reduced red blood cell production or autoimmune destruction.
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelets), increasing bleeding risk, especially when taking anticoagulants or certain supplements.
- Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to infections.
- General symptoms, such as weight loss, night sweats, persistent fever, and fatigue.
- How is CLL Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves:
- Lymphocyte markers test (Immunophenotyping) using FACS technology to confirm CLL.
- Key markers: CLL cells express CD5 and CD19, along with CD20, a major treatment target.
- Bone marrow biopsy is usually unnecessary but may be done in specific cases.
- Once diagnosed, further lab tests and imaging determine disease progression and impact.
FAQ
What is "CLL Innovation Challenge"?
The CLL Innovation Challenge seeks technologies and advanced solutions to reduce the treatment burden and improve the quality of care, for both CLL patients and HCPs, and to enhance the quality of life of CLL patients and their caregivers. We will explore all relevant opportunities to collaborate with the winning company by supporting the implementation of its solution in relevant sick fund/s or hospital/s or patients support programs etc.
Does AbbVie invest in or acquire equity in participating startups?
No. This challenge is not equity or investment contingent.
Which startups or solutions are eligible to apply?
Privately held companies formed and registered under the laws of Israel with a company ID (חפ), or technology transfer offices/entities of non-profit and/or governmental entities (such as universities, hospitals and sick funds) (“TTO/s”), which develop a project/solution as defined by the Challenge and who have applied for patent protection underlying the technology subject of such project/solution.
We welcome solutions with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 5 and above.
In what language will the program be conducted?
English will be the official language of the challenge.
Where will the program take place?
The challenge will be both online and in person. This will be communicated in advance.
Who should attend?
One person will be required to pitch the startup and solution to the Advisory Committee and address all the questions from the Advisory Committee members.
For the mentoring meetings, we recommend that at least two team members from your startup attend, one business-oriented and another more tech-oriented, to cover a range of topics during the 1-on-1 sessions.
If my startup is selected as a finalist, what are the next steps?
- Complimentary pitch training and camera workshop prior to the final event
- 3.5 hour meeting with the Advisory Committee, AbbVie Israel & Start-Up Nation Central at Startup Nation Central HQ, 28 Lilienblum, Tel-Aviv . In person attendance is mandatory.
- Pitch to a local & global audience as part of the hybrid final event that will take place at Startup Nation Central HQ, 28 Lilienblum, Tel-Aviv ( Israel Time). In person attendance is mandatory.
If my startup is selected as the winner, what are the next steps?
AbbVie Israel will support a pilot program to implement the solution with a total value of up to 200,000 NIS.
Startup Nation Central is a free-acting NGO providing global solution seekers frictionless access to Israel’s bold and impatient innovators to help tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.
AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that address complex health issues and enhance people’s lives. Our commitment is measured by the impact we make – to patients, to our communities, and to the world.
More than $63B invested in R&D since AbbVie’s launch in 2013 including $7.8B in adjusted R&D spend in 2023, and our approximately 50,000 employees strive to make a remarkable impact that lasts. Today our products help more than 60 million people living in more than 175 countries, and we are making significant advancements with a robust pipeline of potential new medicines as we look to find the treatments of tomorrow across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
Care, and lead the aesthetics space through Allergan Aesthetics.
Startup Nation Central Terms & Conditions
By registering for the Challenge, you agree—on behalf of yourself and/or your organization—that each event may be recorded, and that both the recorded content and your and/or your organization’s name, image, logo, and biographical or related information may be used in Startup Nation Central marketing materials and/or for any other lawful purpose. You hereby waive any rights in connection with such use, including, without limitation, rights of privacy, publicity, or compensation.