On 11 June this year, in Paris, the European Patent Office (EPO) organized the 10th edition of the European Inventor Day, event dedicated to the promotion of intellectual and creative potential in Europe and the designation of outstanding inventors who have made an exceptional contribution to the development of economy, science and technology.
The event gathered together over 400 famous personalities and innovators in the fields of business, science, culture, high-ranking officials from the European institutions, representatives of the German government and other European Union countries. From the Republic of Moldova, the award ceremony was attended by Mrs. Svetlana Munteanu, Deputy Director General of the State Agency on Intellectual Property.
Winners were selected by an independent jury, consisting of representatives of international authorities in various fields of business, science, academic and research environment that examined the participants’ contribution to technical progress, social development, wealth and job creation in Europe and not only.
The international jury had selected 15 finalists from more than 300 individuals and inventor teams, participants in the contest and designated the winners in the following five categories:
- Lifetime Achievement - Andreas Manz (Switzerland),
- Industry - Franz Amtmann (Austria) and Philippe Maugars (France),
- Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) - Laura van’t Veer (Netherlands),
- Research - Ludwik Leibler (France),
- Non-European countries - Sumio Iijima / Akira Koshio / Masako Yudasaka (Japan).
In addition, the Popular Prize went to Scottish-born Australian immunologist Ian Frazer and the late Chinese cancer researcher Jian Zhou, who received the most votes from the public in an on-line vote.
“The inventors honoured in the event have contributed immensely to advancing technology. Their inventions improve our everyday lives, create economic value, generate employment and even save lives. The inventiveness and creativity of the award winners highlight Europe’s role as a prime technology region for inventors from all over the world. The European patent system provides the appropriate conditions for inventors seeking protection for their inventions in up to 38 member states,” said EPO President Benoit Battistelli at the award ceremony.
Launched in 2006, the annual award honours individual inventors and teams of inventors whose pioneering inventions provide answers to some of the biggest challenges of our times.
Information about the laureates of the European Inventor Award 2015 and inventions presented at the contest can be found at: http://www.epo.org/news-issues/news/2015/20150611.html