The World Economic Forum announces Technology Pioneers 2008: Mondobiotech selected
Basel/Switzerland (ots)
The World Economic Forum today announced 39 visionary companies selected as Technology Pioneers 2008. Mondobiotech has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers. The Technology Pioneers 2008 were nominated by the world's leading technology experts, including venture capitalists, technology companies, academics and media. The final selection from 273 nominees was made by a panel of leading technology experts appointed by the World Economic Forum. Technology Pioneers 2008 are invited to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 that will be held in Davos, Switzerland, from 23-27 January and in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions that will be held in Tianjin, People's Republic of China from 25-27 September 2008.
One of this year's Technology Pioneers is Mondobiotech, an independent, research engine biotech company focused on the development of treatment options for fatal and neglected rare diseases. It successfully develops human peptides to treat patients affected by rare diseases. This is done through its "search and development - S&D" method, access the global scientific know-how on potential therapeutics.
"This World Economic Forum Selection as a Technology Pioneer 2008 is an incredible honour for Mondobiotech and a validation of our unique business model," said Fabio Cavalli, CEO of Mondobiotech.
"As this is the first year a Swiss biotech receives this prestigious award, we are especially pleased to be granted this international recognition. This prize clearly supports our mission to change the world in healthcare and find the cure for an increasing number of the 7,000 neglected diseases in the near future."
Technology Pioneers are companies that have been identified as developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology and health, and information technology. To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership, show all the signs of being a long-standing market leader - and its technology must be proven. Previous Technology Pioneers have included Business Objects, Cambridge Silicon Radio,
Corel Corporation, Encore Software, Google, Mozilla Corporation and Napster.
The companies' products and services include identity management on the Internet, understanding of individuals' genetic information, robotic radiosurgery, pollution control materials, low-cost remote diagnosis solutions, virtual interface echnologies, wiki-based projects and next-generation business intelligence solutions.
Twenty-three of the Technology Pioneers 2008 are US-based companies. Israel and the United Kingdom each boast three; Sweden and Switzerland two each; Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands and Russia, one each. Technology Pioneers are nominated in three main categories: Energy/Environment, Biotechnology/Health and Information Technology.
The entire list of Technology Pioneers and interviews with the CEOs of the selected companies can be found here: http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers/2008. "This year the World Economic Forum received a record number of applications from companies around the world to become a Technology Pioneer. From a highly competitive field, we are extremely pleased to have a community that is using innovation and technology to dramatically affect the way society and business operate and doing so in a markedly collaborative manner. We are excited to welcome the Technology Pioneers class of 2008 to the larger community of the World Economic Forum and we are looking forward to the fruits that their collaboration will bring," said Peter Torreele, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.
The selection criteria include: 1) Innovation. The company's technology must be truly innovative. A new version or repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution does not qualify as an innovation. The innovation should be recent - not more than two years old. The company should invest significantly in R&D. 2) Potential Impact. The company's technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future. 3) Growth and Sustainability. The company should have all the signs of being a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth. 4) Proof of Concept. The company must have a product on the market or have proven practical applications of the technology. Companies in "stealth" mode and companies with untested ideas or models will not qualify. 5) Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals. 6) Status. The company must not currently be a Member of the World Economic Forum. This criterion applies to the parent company - thus wholly-owned subsidiaries of large firms are not eligible.
About Mondobiotech
Mondobiotech AG is a private Swissbiotech company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Switzerland. The company is focused on the development of treatment options for fatal and neglected rare diseases. Mondobiotech currently has 30 products in development for 30 indications, and is carrying out its "search and development" strategy to identify potential treatments for many other rare diseases. The company has out-licensed its lead product Aviptadil for use in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension to Biogen Idec and Interferon-gamma for the treatment of IPF to Intermune Inc. The company has obtained 5 Orphan Medical Product Designation for Aviptadil in Europe and in the US, the last one granted in October 2007for the treatment of Sarcoidosis in the European Union.
About the World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. (www.weforum.org)
Notes to Editors: - Go to http://www.weforum.org/techpioneers/2008 for the entire list of Technology Pioneers and interviews with the CEOs of the selected companies. For more specific information, please e-mail: tech.pioneers@weforum.org.
- Download print-quality high resolution photographs of the CEOs of the selected companies at: http://www.pbase.com/forumweb/techpioneers2008
- Nominate a company to be a Technology Pioneer 2009 at: www.weforum.org/pdf/techpioneers/nomination_form_2008.pdf . Deadline for submissions is May 2008.
Contact:
Mondobiotech AG
Phone: +41 (0) 840 200 027
E-Mail: media@mondobiotech.com
Internet: www.mondobiotech.com