The Michelson Prize is a combination of $25 million for a safe, effective, non-surgical sterilant for cats and dogs along with $50 million for research into developing such a single dose sterilization technique. The key aim is to reduce the numbers of unwanted cats and dogs which have to be euthanized each year.
The funding is through the American charity, Found Animals founded by Gary Michelson who as a surgeon made his fortune from inventing spinal surgery devices.
This is an incredible sum of money eclipsing even Richard Branson’s offer of $25 million for a solution to climate change or the $30 million XPrize for getting lander on the moon.
Scientists have their work cut out for them as the single-dose approach rules out slow release contraceptive implants and must work in both male and female cats and dogs. The solution will require a truly innovative approach never tried before.
$75 Million Pet Sterilization
Contraceptives for Cats and Dogs
Trend Themes
1. Non-surgical Pet Sterilization - The development of a safe and effective non-surgical sterilant for cats and dogs presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the pet healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.
2. Single Dose Sterilization Technique - The Michelson Prize's incentive for research into a single dose sterilization technique opens up possibilities for disruptive innovation in animal healthcare and medical research industries.
3. Reduction of Euthanasia Incidences - The Michelson Prize's focus on reducing euthanasia of unwanted pets through non-surgical sterilization techniques could drive disruptive innovation in the pet adoption, animal welfare, and veterinary industries.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Healthcare - Developing a non-surgical sterilization solution for cats and dogs creates an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the pet healthcare industry, specifically in the fields of reproductive health and preventative care.
2. Pharmaceuticals - The Michelson Prize's $50 million incentive for research into single-dose sterilization techniques presents a sizeable opportunity for disruptive innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in drug development and manufacturing.
3. Animal Welfare - The Michelson Prize's goal of reducing the number of unwanted pets that are euthanized each year creates avenues for disruptive innovation in the animal welfare industry, specifically in the areas of adoption, outreach, and education.