The World Economic Forum announces Technology Pioneers 2008: The Swiss Anecova selected
Lausanne (ots)
The World Economic Forum has announced today the 39 visionary companies selected as Technology Pioneers 2008. Based in Lausanne, the Swiss company Anecova is one of them. 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. Anecova and mondoBiotech are the first Swiss biotech companies selected as Technology Pioneers. These Technology Pioneers 2008 are invited to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008 that will be held in Davos, Switzerland, on 23-27 January and in the Annual Meeting of the New Champions that will be held in Tianjin, People's Republic of China on 25-27 September 2008.
Anecova (www.anecova.com) is a leading life science company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in the field of medically assisted procreation. Anecova's aim is to improve results and the overall quality of care thanks to more physiological and natural processes. The first Anecova product restores the fertilization and early embryonic development phases back into the physiologic environment of the maternal uterus instead of in a laboratory incubator. This allows the development of the embryos to take place in close communication and exchange with maternal factors from the very start of life.
The preliminary results already obtained have been very encouraging. Anecova is currently undertaking clinical evaluation programs in close collaboration with international experts in the field, pursuing its quest for medical solutions of the highest quality for patients worldwide.
"We are honoured to have been selected as a Technology Pioneer for 2008 as a result of our research for a more natural approach to improve medically assisted procreation" said Martin Velasco, Founder, Chairman and CEO. "This award further motivates us to continue to work in the development of innovative Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) solutions adding value to society at large".
"We would like to associate to this Award Prof. Patrick Aebischer (EPFL), Prof. Carlos Simón (IVI-Valencia) and Prof. Paul Devroey (VUB-Belgium) and their teams for their valuable contribution" added Martin Velasco.
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.
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 on: 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. In a highly competitive field, we are extremely pleased to have a community that uses innovation and technology to dramatically affect the way society and business operate and to do 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.
About Anecova
Anecova was created in 2004 by Martin Velasco and Dr Pascal Mock. The company is based at the Parc Scientifique of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne (Switzerland). Anecova is working with world leading scientists and clinicians in the area of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) with the objective of developing more natural approaches. The company obtained the European Certification (CE Mark) in 2007 and expects to start commercialisation in Europe within the second half of 2008.
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 a non-profit organization; it is tied to neither political, partisan nor national interests. ( www.weforum.org )
Contact:
Martin Velasco, CEO Anecova
Tel.: +41/22/310'95'42
Internet: http://www.anecova.com