More than 100 teams representing 20 countries around the globe submitted diabetes innovations for the Healthcare Innovation World Cup, which awarded a total $75,000 in prizes to semifinalists and finalists.
AdhereTech, the creators of wireless pill bottles to help improve medication adherence, won the $50,000 first prize. According to AdhereTech, the bottles measure the exact number of pills in the bottle in real-time, wirelessly send this HIPAA-compliant data into the cloud, and remind patients to take their medication via automated phone call or text message. The devices also record and send adherence data with an unprecedented level of granularity.
The three other finalists that presented at the GCRI were:
- Team IITKgp, the second place winners, received $10,000. Team IITKgp from Kharagpur, India, is developing a non-invasive blood glucose measurement device, based on photoacoustic spectroscopy, to enable painless, sample-free and accurate glucose measurement for diabetics. Initial measurements performed on tissue have provided an accuracy of nearly 70% compared to reference measurements. The team is working to improve this accuracy and developing a portable prototype device for wide-scale use and commercialization.
- Team SmartSense, the third place winners, received $5,000. SmartSense, which is based in Bombay, India, is a multianalyte sensing device for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It is being developed to sense all the metabolites necessary for management of the condition with a single prick. According to team members, it is designed to reduce the pain and economic burden faced by patients with DKA.
- Team EndoGoal from Columbus, Ohio, presented a mobile and web-based rewards program for people with insulin-dependent diabetes who track daily glucose levels. Rewards include weekly prepaid visa cards and a virtual pet, and are based on a social business model. Revenue comes from users' family-and-friend 'sponors.'
About the Healthcare Innovation World Cup
The Healthcare Innovation World Cup challenges entrepreneurs and innovators in healthcare and information technology to tackle global public health issues. In 2013, the competition invited participants worldwide to propose solutions for improving diabetes prevention and management, offering $75,000 in total prize money and opportunities to showcase their work.
About the German Center for Research and Innovation
The German Center for Research and Innovation provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government's initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five centers worldwide.
About HITLAB
HITLAB is a cross-disciplinary public health teaching and research organization that studies and educates others about the impact of healthcare information and communications technology on public health. Based in New York, NY, the Lab's team includes faculty, scientists, research scholars and students from top universities around the world.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
As a central element of its culture, Boehringer Ingelheim pledges to act socially responsible. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim's endeavours.
In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.7 billion euro. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.
A video of the event as well as a photo gallery are available here: http://germaninnovation.org/news-and-events/past-events/past-event?id=4c07383a-5e80-e211-b0fe-000c29e5517f
