GalvoSurge Dental, icotec, and Scewo will compete for the prize
We are proud to announce that three finalists for this year’s Swiss Medtech Award have been determined following recent jury hearings: GalvoSurge Dental AG is advancing to the finals with a sophisticated and highly efficient system for cleaning inserted dental implants. icotec ag is competing with non-metallic, radiolucent implants for the treatment of spinal tumours. And Scewo AG made it into the top three thanks to their revolutionary stair-climbing electric wheelchair.
Peter Biedermann, Managing Director of Swiss Medtech, is not only impressed by the innovative and entrepreneurial achievements, but also by the high level of motivation driving the companies. «The focus in medical technology is always on people. The inner drive to help individuals achieve the best possible health and quality of life was evident in all candidates at the hearing». Jury President Prof. Mirko Meboldt of ETH Zurich ranks the achievements of the finalists among the world’s best «With creativity, technology, a considerable amount of work and entrepreneurial spirit, these companies have created innovations which have already prevailed on world markets – or have the potential to do so».
The outstanding achievements of the three finalists
- GalvoSurge Dental AG – Highly efficient cleaning system for in situ dental implants:
GalvoSurge Dental AG is a Swiss manufacturer of dental devices and equipment, founded in 2015 with headquarters in Widnau (SG). The company has developed a dental implant cleaning system to remove microorganisms (biofilm) from exposed, electrically conductive dental implants anchored in the jawbone – quickly, gently, and effectively. The GS 1000 system uses an electrolytic cleaning principle to remove biofilm from the implant surface without conventional grinding and brushing, in just two minutes. Eliminating biofilm is essential for the successful treatment of patients with peri-implantitis (inflammation of the implant bed), or peri-implant mucositis (inflammation of the soft tissue around the implant neck). More about GalvoSurge Dental AG - icotec ag – Radiolucent spinal implants:
icotec ag is a pioneer developer of implants for the treatment of tumour diseases of the spine. Since its foundation in 2000, the company headquartered in Altstaetten (SG), has established itself as the global market leader in this field. The nonmetallic, radiolucent BlackArmor® developed and produced by icotec is made of high-strength carbon fibre-reinforced material, is biocompatible, and has been successfully applied in clinical practice for over fifteen years. Planning and implementation of radiotherapy is simplified and optimised thanks to the radiolucency of the implants. Of greatest advantage is early detection of active tumour cells thanks to interference-free imaging. More about icotec ag -
Scewo AG – Stair-climbing power wheelchair:
Scewo AG is the inventor and manufacturer of a new generation of power wheelchairs. The young company, based in Winterthur (ZH), evolved in 2017 from a collaborative study project between ETH Zurich and Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK. The team produces the world’s only electric wheelchair suitable for everyday use which combines a two-wheel ride with stair-climbing ability. Not only is the technology unique, its futuristic design makes the BRO power wheelchair a distinctive choice for people with disabilities. BRO can be steered agilely, masters almost all types of stairs and steps with ease and, thanks to the height-adjustable seat, enables eye level communication with any conversation partner. More about Scewo AG
More about the Swiss Medtech Award
In 2018, Swiss Medtech launched the Swiss Medtech Award which is endowed with 50,000 Swiss francs and sponsored by the Lichtsteiner Foundation, the Straumann Group, and Ypsomed. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in the Swiss medical technology industry. In a two-stage process chaired by Prof. Mirko Meboldt of ETH Zurich, the jury evaluates candidates according to the criteria of patient benefit, contribution to improving healthcare, and technological pioneering spirit. Five to seven companies make it to the shortlist, three of which then move on to the final. The winning team is announced and honoured at the annual Swiss Medtech Day, the most important event of the Swiss medical technology industry. More about the Swiss Medtech Award
Swiss Medtech represents more than 750 members in its role as industry association for Swiss medical technology. With 67,500 employees and a contribution of 11.5% to the positive trade balance, medical technology is an economically significant sector in Switzerland. Swiss Medtech advocates for conditions that enable the medtech industry to perform at peak capacity and provide first-class medical care.