Asian Innovation Awards: Innovators Target Global Challenges

Spotting disease and other health conditions, then treating them cheaply and quickly, characterized many of the finalists in The Wall Street Journal’s Asian Innovation Awards this year. Entrepreneurs, companies and research organizations are participating in the effort, and many have increased their investment in health-care research and development. Many of this year’s nominations could prove instrumental in responding to a string of natural disasters, including recent earthquakes and their aftermath. Nominees also provide new options for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology targets infectious diseases with its IBN MicroKit, a portable system for quick diagnosis that can be deployed during outbreaks to keep them from becoming pandemics. In the field of drug development and testing, artificial cell membranes from the Institute of Materials Research & Engineering, also in Singapore, could reduce costs in drug trials and speed up medicine development.

Hutchison MediPharma Ltd. has developed HMPL-004, an orally administered drug for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease that is based on a traditional Chinese herb. Another treatment invention is the wearable artificial kidney by Awak Technologies Pte. It provides patients with the option of dialysis outside a treatment center. For remote communities, Adlens Ltd. has developed Emergensee, eyeglasses whose lens strength wearers can adjust to treat both nearsightedness and farsightedness. Infants and new parents can benefit from the work of Excelpoint Systems Pte. The company has developed a breath monitor for babies that uses fiber-optic technology to monitor subtle breath movement during sleep. It is positioned under an infant to make sure his or her breathing remains normal. Ximplar Ltd. and the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s ACEHearing device capitalizes on the growth of smartphones, using them as a way to enhance hearing and make hearing tests more accessible.

The 12 finalists span many of the fastest-growing sectors in Asia. The Journal received more than 250 entries this year from China, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and elsewhere in the region. Adam Smith, Google Inc. director of product management APAC and head of the judges panel, said Asia has an environment in which innovators can flourish. “Innovation is often inspired by unexpected events, and several Asian countries have unfortunately experienced significant turmoil,” he said in an email. “It was inspiring to observe how innovative ideas that addressed food safety, emergency response, water quality, and earthquake safety could arise from adversity.”