Alagene Bio-Defense Challenge

Innovative ideas. A complete path to POC.

Work with Alagene and defense industry experts, supported by scientific, business, regulatory and IP specialists - all brought together in one program.

Form a multidisciplinary team. Shape a solution to a real defense need. Build a POC plan and budget. Compete for support to deliver it, and pitch to investors and industry stakeholders.

Apply by November 16, 2026

‍Link : Apply to the Challenge

The expertise. The partners. The support.

The challenge brings together defense organizations, technology companies, development specialists and ecosystem partners to help turn promising concepts into practical development opportunities.

Bring your expertise. Find your team.

Everyone is welcome to apply! We encourage researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, students, innovators and curious minds from all backgrounds to participate. Whether your expertise is in biology, chemistry, materials science, engineering, software, AI, business, defense or an entirely different field, all you need is an innovative idea with a potential application in bio-defense.

Bring your expertise, a research insight, a technology or an idea you would like to explore. Teams will be formed during the challenge, combining complementary skills to address real defense needs.

Alagene brings expertise in biological development. Together with defense industry experts and specialized mentors, teams will shape their concepts, assess technical feasibility and align their solutions with real market needs and practical applications.

An initial idea is a starting point. It may evolve, change direction or lead to a new concept through the program.

No biotechnology background, existing team or fully formed idea is required.

A dedicated support team

Each participating team will work with:

Alagene Lead Mentor: A dedicated expert to guide the team and translate the emerging concept into a practical biological development plan.

Defense Industry Expert: Guidance on the operational need, application, validation and integration, keeping development connected to potential users.

Specialist Mentors: Scientific, business, regulatory and IP expertise to assess feasibility, address key questions and strengthen the development strategy.

Explore the challenge tracks

Bio-Security & Bio-Sensing: Biological sensing solutions for field, air and water monitoring, including the detection of biological agents, toxins and environmental markers.

Functional Biomaterials: Bio-based coatings, filtration and functional materials for protection, capture and performance in demanding environments.

Resilient Biomanufacturing: Biological production of food, medicines and essential materials, including field-deployable platforms, alongside biological solutions for contamination and chemical or biological threats.

Open Track: Other defense applications where biology could offer a meaningful advantage.

Leave with a plan to move forward

Through the challenge event and four expert mentoring sessions, your team will develop:

• A clear product concept addressing a relevant defense need
• An R&D roadmap
• An IP and regulatory strategy
• A POC work plan and budget
• A validation plan informed by industry requirements

At the final event, present your concept and development plan to investors and relevant industry stakeholders.

Win support to advance your POC

Prizes include expert service packages to help implement the development plan, alongside opportunities for POC development by Alagene.

POC development and follow-on collaboration are subject to Alagene’s evaluation and approval.

From application to final pitch

Apply: Tell us about your background, the skills and perspective you bring, and yourpreferred track. If you have an idea, technology or need you would like toexplore, share it too.

Interviews & Selection: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews to assess their expertise,potential contribution and fit for the challenge.

Challenge Event & Team Formation: Explore industry needs, meet fellow participants and form multidisciplinaryteams. Together, identify and refine your development direction.

Four Expert Mentoring Sessions: Assess applications and feasibility, incorporate industry feedback and buildyour POC plan, budget and pitch.

Final Pitch Event: Present your proposed solution and development plan to investors and industrystakeholders, and compete for prizes.

The Ecosystem to Bring Ideas to Life

Find your teammates and develop a promising concept alongside experts who understand real defense needs and can help move it forward.

THE NEXT BREAKTHROUGH IN DEFENSE COULD START HERE. WITH YOU

Apply by November 16, 2026.

Link : Apply to the Challenge

For any questions, please contact Yoav Keshet, Head of Business Development at Alagene, at yoavk@alagene.co.il or +972-54-661-6608.