The Horizon Prize, powered by MIT Solve, seeks technology-based solutions that improve the quality of life of people who have been diagnosed with a rare disease.

For the more than 400 million people living with rare diseases, the journey towards diagnosis is often long and complex. Even when a rare disease has been identified, treatment options are scarce—over 95% of rare diseases have no approved treatments. Meanwhile, people also need support while living with the symptoms of rare diseases and the possibility of disease progression.

Technology can be a powerful tool for optimizing the well-being of people living with rare diseases. Educational tools can help patients better understand their diagnosis, and peer support networks can address the isolation that can accompany such knowledge. For health care providers, using technology can support clinical decision making to serve their patients more effectively.