University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) spinoff Holomic LLC, a mobile diagnostics company, was named a 2015 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. The company's technologies use smartphones and biophotonics to improve patient care, and are based on research led by Aydogan Ozcan, Chancellor’s Professor of Electrical Engineering and Bioengineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Related: Biophotonics pioneer Ozcan named 2014 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor
The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneer program was started in 2000 to recognize early-stage companies from around the world that are “involved in the design, development and deployment of new technologies, and are poised to have a significant impact on business and society.” Previous recipients of the honor include Google, Kickstarter, Twitter, SoundCloud, and Airbnb. Forty-nine companies out of hundreds of applicants around the globe were selected for the honor this year.
Holomic's first product is a suite of rapid diagnostic test readers for advancing accuracy and access of in-home healthcare test results. Other products in development include lens-free holographic microscopes and handheld analyzers for blood cell count and allergens.
World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers are companies from the life sciences and healthcare; energy and environment; and information technologies and new media. An external selection committee composed of technology experts reviews the candidates. The companies are selected based on five criteria, including a truly innovative product; the potential for substantial and long-term impact; the development of a working prototype or product; smart plans for future development; and a visionary leadership team.
For more information, please visit www.weforum.org/community/technology-pioneers.
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