The World Economic Forum Announces Technology Pioneers 2008: Mondobiotech Selected
30/11/2007 10:20
PR Newswire
BASEL, Switzerland, November 30 /PRNewswire/ -- 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?" 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?.
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. (http://www.weforum.org)
http://www.mondobiotech.com
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:
http://www.weforum.org/pdf/ techpioneers/nomination_form_2008.pdf . Deadline
for submissions is May 2008.
Contact: Mondobiotech AG
media@mondobiotech.com
+41(0)-840-200-027
Contact: Mondobiotech AG, media@mondobiotech.com, +41(0)-840-200-027