World Economic Forum Announces New Class of Technology Pioneers for 2006: Optos® Plc Selected
12/5/2005
DUNFERMLINE, SCOTLAND – December 5, 2005 – The World Economic Forum today announced 36 Technology Pioneers for 2006. Optos plc has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers.
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. This year's class of companies has been selected not only because of the cutting-edge work undertaken by the organizations, but also because their work has potential long-term impact on business and society.
In line with the Forum's commitment to improving the state of the world, the Technology Pioneers programme was established in 2000 to provide a new perspective on technological change. The programme is run by the World Economic Forum with Apax Partners and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as Strategic Partners. Through its Technology Pioneers programme, the Forum identifies and integrates those companies around the world that are involved in the design and development of new technologies. Each innovation, whether it has large or small consequences, is another step in society's attempt to harness, adapt and utilize technology to change and improve our world. The World Economic Forum is invested in monitoring and highlighting these innovations and exploring possible societal repercussions.
"The creative innovations produced by our Technology Pioneers hold the promise of significantly affecting the way business and society operate”, said Peter Torreele, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum. "As a global knowledge hub, we see the Technology Pioneer community as key contributors to this dialogue and to the mission of the World Economic Forum.”
Optos' platform technology is its Panoramic200 Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (P200). It is the world's first and only ophthalmic device capable of producing a high resolution, digital wide-field image of up to 200° of the retina in a single capture. The image, branded as the opto map®, provides optometrists and ophthalmologists with clinically useful information that facilitates the early detection of eye and non-eye related diseases evidenced in the retina. At a current rate of approximately 10,000 per day over 5.75 million opto map® retinal examinations have been performed to date in Optos' markets, presently the USA, Canada, UK and Germany.
"Innovation is engrained in our culture and enables us to deliver high value retinal image products and services to our customers, with a focus on what really matters to them and their patients – that preventative health care screening supports the diagnosis and treatment of disease at an earlier stage,” said Stephane Sallmard, Chief Executive Officer of Optos plc. “We are extremely proud and honoured to be recognised and hope this award will help us broaden awareness of the fact that many eye and systemic conditions and diseases can be detected through the opto map® retinal examination.”
Each year, members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum nominate Technology Pioneers. The criteria for selection include:
• 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.
• Potential Impact . This company's technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future.
• Growth and Sustainability . The company should have all the signs of a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth.
• 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.
• Leadership . The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals.
• 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.
Nominees are evaluated by an external review committee comprised of technology experts with respect to the criteria above.
Other Information:
Optos is a leading medical technology company for the design, development, manufacture and marketing of retinal imaging devices. Optos' platform P200 technology incorporates a patented scanning laser system that utilises ellipsoidal mirror technology. The opto map® image is captured in 0.25 seconds. Pupil dilation is not required. The P200 device has full regulatory approval and has an established international presence. Optos has designed its P200 device with a single imaging platform capability so that it can incorporate future retinal imaging product developments and new product applications. Optos has recently added two further products to its core opto map® product: opto map® plus was introduced in 2005 and opto map® fa which is in the process of being commercialised in 2006.
The uniqueness of the Technology Pioneer network ensures that companies involved in the development of new technologies are engaged in an integrated and interdisciplinary way. The Technology Pioneers community will provide the Foundation and its members with in-depth knowledge of some of the key technology issues facing society.
The World Economic Forum (www.weforum.org), based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an independent organization committed to improving the state of the world. Funded by the contributions of 1,000 of the world's foremost corporations, the Forum acts in the spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public interest to further economic growth and social progress. The Forum serves its members and society by creating partnerships between and among business, political, intellectual and other leaders of society to define, discuss and advance key issues on the global agenda. Incorporated in 1971 as a foundation, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit, and is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. In 1995 the Forum was awarded NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
Note to Editors:
For more information on the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneers and the 36 nominees go to www.weforum.org/techpioneers
High-resolution, print-quality photographs of the nominees can be downloaded from www.pbase.com/forumweb/techpioneers.
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 )