Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with more than 95 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care.

Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark ("Novo Nordisk") is sponsoring LabCentral, Inc.

LabCentral is a first-of-its-kind shared laboratory space designed as a launchpad for high-potential life-sciences and biotech start-ups (see https://labcentral.org/about/what-is-labcentral).

As one of LabCentral’s sponsors, Novo Nordisk can nominate two start-up companies to take up residence in LabCentral’s facilities in Cambridge, Mass. for the duration of one year (the “Golden Ticket”).

The Golden Ticket represents a spot on a priority waitlist for lab space at LabCentral and a voucher for prepaid rent for one reserved six-foot bench for one scientist on the first floor of LabCentral’s shared laboratory for one year, including the benefit of LabCentral’s shared infrastructure and services (such as conference rooms, permits, shared equipment and facilities, participation in LabCentral training modules, and seminars).

Novo Nordisk is now launching the process to identify the Golden Ticket winners for 2022 and wishes to invite interested life-sciences and biotech start-ups to submit proposals (the “Competition”).

These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) are applicable to the Competition.

The entry for the Competition begins on 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on June 28th, 2022 and ends on 12 PM EST on August 7th, 2022, unless terminated earlier by Novo Nordisk (the "Open Call Period"). 

Proposals should focus on technology or biology platforms, including computational and systems biology, artificial intelligence and machine learning and experimental cellular platforms. Proposals should have disease agnostic potential to identify novel drug targets. It is considered an advantage, but not a requirement, if the proposal can demonstrate a scientific connection or partnering academic team within one of Novo Nordisk’s therapeutic areas; diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, NASH, chronic kidney disease, hemophilia and other rare blood disorders or rare endocrine disorders.

The Competition is open for participation by individuals, teams, legal entities and organizations from across the innovation ecosystem, from start-ups, university researchers, students, incubators/accelerators, as well as other industry innovators (referred to as “Participant”). Note that although Entries can be submitted by individuals, teams, organizations and unincorporated entities, only duly incorporated legal entities with a US federal tax ID number will be eligible to win a Golden Ticket.

An entrant team consisting of more than one individual and not representing a legal entity is referred to as “Participant Team”.

“Participant” in these Terms shall refer to individual Participants as well as each individual member of any Participant Team.

During the Open Call Period, Participants can submit their solution (“Entry”) via the Competition website: www.novonordisk.us/partnering-and-innovation/golden-ticket-terms-and-conditions.html

 By submitting an Entry, Participant accepts and agrees to comply with these Terms and with the decisions of Novo Nordisk, which will be final and binding in all respects, including Novo Nordisk’s right to verify eligibility, to interpret these Terms, and to resolve any claims or disputes relating to the Competition at any time.

In these Terms, “Novo Nordisk” shall be deemed to include Novo Nordisk A/S, its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors and assigns.

Each Participant must be eligible to participate in the Competition and comply with the Terms, or such Participant or its Participant Team may be disqualified.

An individual is permitted to be part of more than one Participant Team and may enter as part of a Participant Team and as a sole participant if they desire. Only one (1) person on a Participant Team will be considered Participant for entry purposes (“Team Representative”).

To be eligible to enter the Competition, Participant must be above the age of majority in the country, state or jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry. The Competition is void in all countries where prohibited by law.

Not eligible to participate in the Competition are:

• Any person or company that has or will have raised in excess of $7.5 million dollars or has or will have more than $3 million dollars in trailing revenue over the 12 months prior to the Competition (raising additional funds and higher revenue are allowed after entering LabCentral);
• employees, interns, contractors, representatives, agents and official office-holders of Novo Nordisk, as well as Novo Nordisk’s subsidiaries, affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, interns, and contractors, and the immediate family members (such as parents, siblings, children, spouses, life partners);
• in the U.S.: patients participating in any U.S. government, state, or federally funded medical or prescription benefit programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, VA, DOD, and TRICARE. This includes patients participating in a Managed Medicaid plan or who have Medicaid as secondary insurance.

Although individuals, teams, organizations and unincorporated entities are welcome to participate in the Competition, note that only duly incorporated legal entities with a US federal tax ID number will be eligible to win a Golden Ticket.

Participants who are health care professionals (HCPs) may be required to sign a separate agreement with Novo Nordisk to ensure compliance with Novo Nordisk policies regarding interaction with HCPs. Novo Nordisk will report any transfer of value to an HCP in accordance with U.S. Local/State/Federal laws. Additionally, any transfer of value may be subject to limitations by Local/State regulations.

If Participant is entering as part of a company or on behalf of its employer, these Terms are binding on Participant as well as the employer. If Participant is acting within the scope of the employment, as an employee, contractor, or agent of another party, by submitting the Entry, Participant warrants that such party has full knowledge of Participant’s actions and has consented thereto, including to these Terms and Participant’s potential receipt of the Golden Ticket. Participant warrants that Participant’s actions do not violate the employer or company’s policies and procedures.

Novo Nordisk reserves the right to verify eligibility and to adjudicate on any dispute at any time.

3.1. Entry Submission

By submitting an Entry, the Participant accepts these Terms. 

Entries must be submitted via the Competition email address and must include all information required, including but not limited to:

• Participant (and, if applicable, Participant Team) name, email, phone number, and mailing address;
• Team size;
• The company’s mission;
• The targeted market and unmet need;
• Description of data generated and scientific progress to date;
• Upcoming key milestones (including financing);
• Total funding at time of application
• Relevant IP rights;
• Project plan - timelines;
• Leadership team;
• Anticipated benefits of securing the Golden Ticket;
• Explanation of how you heard about the Novo Nordisk Golden Ticket;
• Confirmation that the participant has read and understood the terms and conditions.

Entries may be submitted at any time during the Open Call Period. An Entry is not complete unless and until the entry criteria above are properly followed. Submitted Entries will not be returned.

Entries will be considered non-confidential. By submitting an Entry, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Entry will not be treated as confidential. Participant is advised, before submitting an Entry, to consult a lawyer or patent attorney as to the desirability of seeking patents or other protection for the Entry.

By submitting an Entry, Participant warrants and represents that:

i.   The Entry is the original work of Participant;
ii.  Participant and, if applicable, Participant Team, has consented to the submission and use of the Entry in the Competition;
iii.  The Entry does not contain any copyrighted material not owned by Participant or, if applicable, Participant Team and, to the best of Participant’s knowledge, does not infringe the rights of any third party, including but not limited to rights of publicity or privacy, moral rights, or any other property rights;
iv.   Participant has the right to present the Entry and to participate in the Competition and there are no claims, judgments or settlements against or owed by Participant relating to the Entry or any information contained therein;
v.    The Entry only contains names/likeness/identifying elements of persons for the use of which these persons have given their prior written consent to Participant.

In the Entry, Participant must disclose whether:

a.   whether Participant has any currently active formal partnerships with other pharmaceutical companies;
b.  whether Participant is a Health Care Professional (HCP).

Participant’s submission of the Entry is at its own responsibility and risk. Novo Nordisk shall not be liable for loss of data or illegal intrusion into the system by third parties. 

3.2 Review of Entries

The Entries will be judged and scored by a review panel chosen by Novo Nordisk (“Review Panel”).

The Review Panel will rank the Entries based on criteria fit for a given submission.

• Quality, feasibility, and scale of proposed solution or technology
  • The description of the unique technical features of the product or service, the proposed benefits to stakeholders, any evidence or proof-of-concept supporting the impact of the solution, and the ability to scale to a broad market.
• Differentiation of solution within the competitive landscape
  • The description of how the proposed solution addresses the unmet need, why it would be sustainable, and how it is differentiated within the competitive landscape.
• Capability of Participant to develop and execute solution
  • A description of the composition of the Participant Team and relevant background and experience of Participant or each Participant Team member that uniquely positions Participant to execute on this solution.

Novo Nordisk reserves the right to assess the Entries in a manner determined by Novo Nordisk, which may include interviews or discussions with certain Participants.

3.3 Selection of Semi-Finalists

The 8-10 Entries ranked highest by the Review Panel will be selected as semi-finalists (“Semi-Finalists”), subject to verification and compliance with these Terms. The Semi-Finalists will be notified by the email address they provided by August 28^th, 2022..

If an email notification is returned as undeliverable, or if a Semi-Finalist does not respond within the required number of days specified by Novo Nordisk, or if any information submitted by Participant is found in non-compliance with the Terms, raises significant concern to Novo Nordisk, or if a potential Semi-Finalist decides to decline its selection as Semi-Finalist for any reason, Novo Nordisk shall have no further obligations to such Semi-Finalist and such place as Semi-Finalist may be awarded to a runner-up Semi-Finalist, time-permitting and at Novo Nordisk’s sole discretion.

The Semi-Finalists may receive questions or other feedback from Novo Nordisk after being selected as Semi-Finalists.

3.4. Selection of Finalists

By September 30th, 2022, the Semi-Finalists will present their solution to the Review Panel.

The Review Panel will then select 3 – 6 Participants (the “Finalists”) to present at a live event in September of 2022 to compete for the Golden Ticket.

The Finalists will be notified via the email address they provided by September 30th, 2022. 

If an email notification is returned as undeliverable, or if a Finalist does not respond within the required number of days specified by Novo Nordisk, or if any information submitted by Participant is found in non-compliance with the Terms, raises significant concern to Novo Nordisk or if a Finalist decides to decline the prize for any reason, Novo Nordisk shall have no further obligations to such Finalist and the applicable prize will be forfeited and may be awarded to a runner-up Finalist, time-permitting and at Novo Nordisk’s sole discretion.

If, once selected as a Finalist, a Participant is of the opinion that their solution cannot be further discussed or developed without the disclosure of any confidential or proprietary information, Novo Nordisk may decide to enter into a confidentiality agreement with Participant to ensure that the mutual interests are well protected.

At the October Event, each Finalist will present its solution to the Review Panel and may be asked to give a short presentation at a public reception (held virtually) in late November/early December. 

In its sole discretion, Novo Nordisk will select two Finalists as winners of the Golden Tickets (the “Golden Ticket Winners”). To be eligible to win the Golden Ticket, the Finalist must be a duly incorporated legal entity with a US federal tax number and may not have raised in excess of $7.5 million dollars or have more than $3 million dollars in trailing revenue over the prior 12 months.

The Golden Ticket Winner will receive a spot on a priority waitlist for lab space at LabCentral and a voucher for prepaid rent for one reserved six-foot bench for one scientist on the first floor of LabCentral’s shared laboratory for one year, including the benefit of LabCentral’s shared infrastructure and services. For taking up residency at LabCentral the Golden Ticket Winner will be required to sign a Service Agreement with LabCentral, on LabCentral’s terms and conditions. The Golden Ticket winners are required to take up their residency at Lab Central with two calendar months of the date the ticket is awarded.

The Golden Ticket is non-transferable and substitutions or cash redemptions will not be allowed. Except where prohibited by law, all tax liabilities are the responsibility of the Golden Ticket Winner. Novo Nordisk will not be responsible for any tax deductions which may be necessary. Participant acknowledges that he/she will not be entitled to any additional payment by reason of any award(s) being subject to any tax, levy, or other charge in any jurisdiction.

The Golden Ticket Winner is responsible for any costs and expenses associated with the acceptance and/or use of the Golden Ticket. All details of the prize not specified in these Terms shall be determined by Novo Nordisk in its sole discretion.  

Novo Nordisk and the selected Finalist will execute any such further agreements as may be necessary or advisable.

Participant accepts the conditions stated in these Terms, agrees to be bound by all decisions of Novo Nordisk regarding the Competition, and warrants that he/she is eligible to participate in the Competition as specified in these Terms.

Participant indemnifies Novo Nordisk for any damages (including payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees) in connection with Participant’s participation in the Competition and Participant’s acceptance and use of the Golden Ticket.

Participant indemnifies Novo Nordisk for any damages (including payment of reasonable attorneys’ fees) in connection with any claim for misappropriation or infringement resulting from (i) Participant’s infringement of any third party’s intellectual property rights; (ii) Novo Nordisk’s mentoring of Participant; or (iii) resulting from Novo Nordisk’s involvement with any idea, invention, information or materials comprised in the Entry.

Participant acknowledges that Novo Nordisk may presently, during the Competition, and/or in the future be developing internally, or receiving from other parties, ideas, concepts, solutions and information that are similar to the Entry. Accordingly, nothing herein shall prohibit Novo Nordisk from independently acquiring, developing, or having developed for it, products, concepts, systems, services, or techniques that are similar to or compete with the products, concepts, systems or techniques contemplated by or embodied in the Entry.

Participant will not in any manner undermine the integrity of the Competition. Participant will not use any device, software or routine to interfere with the proper working of the Competition Website or with the intention to damage, interfere with or surreptitiously intercept or expropriate any system, data or personal information.

i. No offer or payment for products or services.

This Competition and the award of the Golden Ticket are not intended to be, nor shall these be construed as, an offer or payment made, whether directly or indirectly, to purchase, lease or order of any item or service of Novo Nordisk.

ii. Compliance with requirements.

Determination of compliance with entry, technical, and other requirements and these Terms will be in the sole discretion of Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk reserves the right to disqualify any Participant whose participation may, or Entry that may, cause controversy or negative publicity for the Competition, LabCentral, Novo Nordisk or any third parties. Participant shall not use the Novo Nordisk name, logo, corporate identity or images without Novo Nordisk’s prior written consent.

iii. No liability.

Novo Nordisk assumes no responsibility for the following: any problems, technical malfunctions or delays in electronic operations or transmissions; Entries that are lost, stolen, incomplete, damaged, garbled, destroyed, misdirected or not received for any reason; destruction of or unauthorized access to, or alteration of Entries or related material, failed or unavailable hardware, network, software or telephone transmissions, damage to Participant’s or any person’s computer and/or its contents related to or resulting from participation in the Competition; or any errors in these Terms or in any advertisements or correspondence in connection with the Competition.

iv. Participation consent.

Participant consents, authorizes and grants to Novo Nordisk the irrevocable and unrestricted right and permission to take, copyright, use and publish printed, video, audio, or photographic images of Participant and Participant’s statements, in whole or in part, in conjunction with or without Participant’s name, or any reproductions thereof related to the Competition for use with internal and external audiences, including the right to edit these materials to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

v. Timekeeping.

During the Competition, Novo Nordisk’s administrator’s server/computer is the official timekeeping device.

vi. Novo Nordisk decisions.

Novo Nordisk’s decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to the Competition.

vii. Precedence.

In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms and any other provisions published or otherwise communicated in relation to the Competition, these Terms shall prevail

viii. Competition cancelation or suspension.

Novo Nordisk reserves the right to cancel or suspend the Competition at any time at its sole discretion

Entries will include information relating to identified or identifiable natural persons (“Personal Data”), in particular name, title, email address, mailing address, phone number and age of Participants as well as names of members of Participant Teams.

By submitting Personal Data of members of a Participant Teams, the Team Representative represents and warrants that all necessary permissions from all members of Participant Team have been obtained.

Novo Nordisk collects, processes, and/or uses Personal Data submitted for the purposes of the Competition in accordance with these Terms, in particular for verifying the identity of Participants, for administering the Competition, and to contact Participants for the organization and execution of the Competition.

Novo Nordisk may anonymize and aggregate data collected through the Competition Website for statistical purposes to help improve its products and services.

Participant expressly consents to: (i) the collection, use and retention by Novo Nordisk of Participant’s personal and business information contained in the Entry for all purposes (including promotion and publicity) related to the Novo Nordisk Innovation Partnering Program and for the purposes set forth more fully on Novo Nordisk’s website (https://www.novonordisk.com/utils/disclaimer.html), as well as for use in a publicly available (Semi-)Finalists list; and (ii) the publication of Participant’s name, picture and entrepreneurial story on the Competition Website, Novo Nordisk websites as well as on Novo Nordisk’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, etc.).

Participant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action out of or connected with the Competition shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action.

All issues and questions with regard to the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Terms, or the rights and obligations of Participant and Novo Nordisk shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of New York, USA, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules, which would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

The exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any action with respect to the subject matter of these Terms shall be the state courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York; and Participant submits itself to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts for the purpose of any such action. Any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with participating in the Competition, but in no event attorneys’ fees. Participant hereby waives all rights to (i) claim or be awarded any punitive, direct, indirect, incidental, and consequential damages and any other damages, other than for actual out-of- pocket expenses, and (ii) to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased, including for willful patent infringement.