SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- XDx Inc. today announced that it has been selected by The World Economic Forum as one of 36 Technology Pioneers for 2006.
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.
"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."
One of this year's Technology Pioneers is XDx, a molecular diagnostics company that is setting the stage for a new era in personalized medicine as one of the first companies to develop and commercialize practical applications built on insights from the Human Genome Project. The company's first product is AlloMap(TM) molecular expression testing, a proprietary new method for non-invasively monitoring the immune system by measuring gene expression in a patients' blood. Currently heart transplant recipients undergo a series of biopsies, an invasive and subjective method that detects rejection only after tissue has been damaged and carries significant risk of adverse effects. Now from a simple blood sample collected from the patient, AlloMap testing can extract, analyze and translate complex gene information into a single score that provides objective information to help physicians better manage and treat patients. AlloMap testing has been clinically validated and is being used at top transplant centers across the United States.
"We are honoured to have been selected as a Technology Pioneer for 2006 as a result of our advancements in molecular diagnostics that are improving patient's lives," said Pierre Cassigneul, CEO, XDx. "This recognition further validates what transplant centers worldwide have seen. We hope this added recognition will provide XDx with a higher level of visibility and credibility that helps us reach our goals for success."
XDx's technology offers the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for patients with a variety of life-threatening or life-altering, immune-mediated diseases. The company is currently conducting clinical studies for the technology in various immune diseases and other transplanted organs such as lung.
About the World Economic Forum
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.
About Technology Pioneers
In line with the Forum's commitment to improving the state of the world, the Technology Pioneers program was established in 2000 to provide a new perspective on technological change. The program is run by the World Economic Forum with Apax Partners and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu as Strategic Partners. Through its Technology Pioneers program, 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.
Each year, members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum nominate Technology Pioneers. The criteria for selection include:
1. 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. 2. Potential Impact. This company's technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future. 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals. 6. 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. 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.
XDx Inc.CONTACT: Tammy Reilly of XDx, +1-650-624-0120, or cell, +1-650-533-5674,or treilly@xdx.com; or Matthias Lufkens, Senior Media Manager of WorldEconomic Forum, +41-0-22-869-1424, or fax, +41-0-22-869-1394, ormatthias.luefkens@weforum.org; or Stephanie Scherbak of MS&L,+1-415-278-3326, or cell, +1-408-234-1279, or stephanie.scherbak@mslpr.com,for XDx
