SWISS MEDTECH AWARD 2022: THE WINNER IS CALLED ALVEOLIX

AlveoliX AG has reason to celebrate. It is the winner of the Swiss Medtech Award 2022 with prize money totaling CHF 75,000. AlveoliX has created a small-scale replica of the human lung called «Lung-on-Chip» that can also mimic respiratory motions. According to the jury, this organ-on-chip technology has the potential to establish itself as the new standard in preclinical drug development, as a leading alternative to animal testing, and to significantly advance personalised medicine.

MEDIA RELEASE

Who can apply?

Participation criteria

Participation in the Swiss Medtech Award is open to companies, research institutions or syndicates from the Swiss medical technology industry.

The following criteria must be met in order to be admitted to the competition. In cases where it is unclear whether a candidate fulfils the criteria, the jury has final say.

Factual criteria

At least one of the following factual criteria must be met.

Proven patient benefit
The effect and benefit of the product, technology or procedure can be demonstrated with completed patient studies which applicants will be asked to reveal to the jury.
Imminent or granted market approval
The product already has market approval and is available on the market or it is about to be certified and market entry is in preparation. Applicants will be asked to share respective documents with the jury.

Formal criteria

Both of the formal criteria below must be met.

«Swissness» factor
The achievements and provision of services must have been performed to a significant extent within Switzerland.
Record of achievement
Candidates can provide supporting documents and/or references as evidence of their achievements (i.e. conducted patient studies, product certifications, proof of ongoing certification process.)

In addition, applicants must read and accept our Terms of Participation.

Why apply?

Measure the degree of your innovation and your accomplishments against that of your peers.
Have your achievements for the Swiss medical technology recognised

If you are nominated for the final:

Benefit from the media announcement on the three finalists
Present your case in front of an audience of around 600 professionals from the Swiss medical technology sector
Profit from an image film about your company, which you may re-use for your own purpose

If you win:

Reward the work of your team and you with prize money of 75.000 Swiss francs.

Important dates

The following dates mark the milestones of the evaluation process. Applicants are asked to save the dates.

Past dates

1 November 2021

Start of application period

30 January 2022

End of application period

14 March 2022

Jury meeting
The jury will select 5 to 6 companies to proceed to the next round

6 April 2022

Jury hearing and nomination of finalists
The shortlisted candidates each present their project to the jury. At the end of the day, the jury will nominate the three finalists.

Upcoming dates

14 June 2022

Award ceremony at Swiss Medtech Day
The finalists will present their cases live on stage during Swiss Medtech Day, Switzerland’s most important medical technology conference. The winner will be announced during the award ceremony at the end of the conference.

Past events

1 November 2021
Start of application period

30 January 2022
End of application period

14 March 2022
Jury meeting - The jury will select 5 to 6 companies to proceed to the next round.

6 April 2022
Jury hearing and nomination of finalists – The shortlisted candidates each present their project to the jury. At the end of the day, the jury will nominate the three finalists.

Upcoming events

14 June 2022
Award ceremony at Swiss Medtech Day – The finalists will present their cases live on stage during Swiss Medtech Day, Switzerland’s most important medical technology conference. The winner will be announced during the award ceremony at the end of the conference.

Jury

Prof Dr Mirko Meboldt

President of the Jury

Chair of Product Development

& Engineering

ETH Zurich

Prof Dr med Edouard Battegay

Member of the Jury

Head Innovation Hub, ICMC,

University Zurich

Owner IntelliXess AG

Hans Ulrich Lehmann

Member of the Jury

Senior Vice President Technology

Ypsomed

Stephan Oehler

Member of the Jury

Head of Technology & Testing

Straumann

Sabina Sperisen

Member of the Jury

CEO

Lichtsteiner Foundation

Andi Vonlanthen

Member of the Jury

Group Vice President R&D

Sonova Holding

Donors

The Lichtsteiner Foundation helps pioneers bring their inventions to life by investing in early stage start-ups in the fields of medical technology, life science, mental health, public health and wellbeing. The foundation focuses on impact investing by providing funding in the form of equity.

Sonova, headquartered in Stäfa is a leading provider of innovative hearing care solutions. The group operates through its core business brands Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton, Advanced Bionics and AudioNova. We reach our consumers through multiple channels; this diversity lets them benefit from our broad range of solutions – hearing aids, cochlear implants, wireless communication products, eSolutions, and professional audiological care – in the way that best suits their individual needs.
Founded in 1947, the Group has a workforce of over 14,000 dedicated employees. Across all businesses, and by supporting the Hear the World Foundation, Sonova pursues its vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing and therefore lives a life without limitations.

The Straumann Group is a global leader in tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions that restore smiles and confidence. It unites global and international brands that stand for excellence, innovation and quality in replacement, corrective and digital dentistry, including Anthogyr, ClearCorrect, Dental Wings, Medentika, Neodent, NUVO, Straumann and other fully/partly owned companies and partners. In collaboration with leading clinics, institutes and universities, the Group researches, develops, manufactures and supplies dental implants, instruments, CADCAM prosthetics, biomaterials and digital solutions for use in tooth replacement and restoration or to prevent tooth loss.

With over 30 years’ experience, the Ypsomed Group is a renowned diabetes specialist and principle developer and manufacturer of injection and infusion systems for self-medication. As a leader in innovation and technology, Ypsomed is the preferred partner of pharmaceutical and biotech companies for the supply of injections pens, autoinjectors and infusion systems which administer liquid drugs. Ypsomed promotes its product portfolio under the following umbrella brands: mylife Diabetescare sells directly to patients or via pharmacies and clinics, and YDS Ypsomed Delivery Systems deals business-to-business with pharmaceutical companies.

About Swiss Medtech Award

In 2018, Swiss Medtech launched the Swiss Medtech Award together with the prize sponsors Lichtsteiner Foundation, Straumann Group and Ypsomed. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in the Swiss medical technology industry. In 2021, the Sonova Group could be won as a fourth award sponsor. Jointly with the others, they agreed to raise the prize money to 75.000 Swiss francs as of 2022.

The prize is awarded once a year to a carefully selected winner that has convinced the jury, chaired by Prof. Mirko Meboldt, ETH Zurich, in a two-stage evaluation process. The criteria assessed by the jurors are patient benefit, contribution to improving healthcare, and technological pioneering spirit. Five to six companies make it onto the shortlist, three of which move on to the final. The winning team will be announced and celebrated at Swiss Medtech Day, the most important event for the Swiss medical technology industry.