Evonik Corporation has launched a new crowd sourcing competition seeking unique solutions to societal problems using Evonik products. Winners will receive cash prizes as well as opportunities for internships or even employment.

The current challenge revolves around the company’s EUDRAGIT polymers as a potential source for abuse deterrent technology in pharmaceutical applications. To combat the rise in opioid drug product abuse, the FDA requires risk evaluation and mitigation strategies. Evonik intends to employ its polymeric materials and competencies to advance such technologies. The challenge for students is to provide innovative ideas around tamper-resistant and abuse-deterrent formulations using EUDRAGIT polymers.

“This challenge is open to college students from around the world and provides them the opportunity to work on important public health issues while also contributing in their field of study,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta, vice president and regional head of corporate innovation at Evonik. “Engaging students through innovative programs such as this, gives them a better snapshot of what life is like inside Evonik.”

The competition is conducted by MindSumo, a San Francisco, Calif.-based firm that connects companies and students through unique challenges, which are often in the field of science and technology. For more information on this particular challenge, please visit the MindSumo website. The Evonik challenge around abuse-deterrent technology runs until June 10.