Helene Andersson Named one of the worlds top young innovators by Technology Review, MIT´s Magazine of Innovation

Helene Andersson To Be Honored September 24 – 25 at The Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT

CAMBRIDGE, MA – September 15, 2003 – Silex Microsystems AB and the Royal Institute of Technology, today announced that Helene Andersson, Business Manager Life Science has been named to the 2003 list of the world’s 100 Top Young Innovators by Technology Review, MIT’s Magazine of Innovation. The TR100, chosen by the editors of Technology Review and an elite panel of judges, consists of 100 individuals under age 35 whose innovative work in technology has a profound impact on today’s world. Nominees are recognized for their contributions in transforming the nature of technology in industries such as biotechnology, computing, energy, medicine, manufacturing, nanotechnology, telecommunications and transportation.

Engineers specialized in Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems know little about DNA-sequencing; biologists not much about silicon etching. With degrees in both electrical engineering and molecular biotechnology, Helene Andersson is a leading force in bridging sciences to establish commercial applications for microprocessor-sized laboratories. As business manager at the Stockholm startup Silex Microsystems, she markets customized microlabs for potential uses ranging from point-of-care medical tests and the SNP-analysis of genes, to early warning for chemical or biological attacks. The minute sample sizes and volume use of up to 100.000 times less reagents than regular assays significantly reduces lab costs. In less than three years, Silex grew to 25 employees and more than $3 million in sales 2002.

At Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology and the Netherlands’ Mesa+ Research Institute, Andersson contributes to further innovations. Helene Andersson will continue to divide her time between Silex and academic research. “It suits me very well,” she says, “to explore new things and learn how to do business with it at the same time.”

TR100’s unparalleled panel of judges includes:

  • Vinton Cerf, WorldCom Corporation
  • David Tennenhouse, Intel
  • Dr. Gordon Bell, Microsoft
  • Christina Lampe-Onnerud, TIAX
  • Stephen Quake, California Institute of Technology
  • Rodney Brooks, MIT CSAIL
  • George Whitesides, Harvard University

“Innovation and technological change are essential to worldwide economic growth. Now, more than ever, it’s important to recognize that there is no one technology driving the next wave of success, but rather several that, when fused together, will create another era of significant change for our society. The members of this year’s TR100 hail from fields such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, wireless, energy, computing and medicine. Each is actively developing the emerging technologies that we feel will profoundly impact our world in the century ahead,” said Robert Buderi, editor-in-chief of Technology Review.

Helene Andersson will be honored September 24 – 25 at The Emerging Technologies Conference at MIT. The event features keynotes, panels and breakout discussions on the transformative technological innovations that have the potential to fuel new economic growth and dramatically change the future. Speakers include Michael Dell, Founder and CEO of Dell Computer Corporation; Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman of the Board and CEO of General Electric; Bob Metcalfe, Founder of 3Com Corporation and General Partner at Polaris Venture Partners; and Nathan Myhrvold, Ph.D., Managing Director of Intellectual Ventures and former CTO of Microsoft Corporation. More information on ETC2003 can be found at http://www.etc2003.com/.

About Technology Review Inc.
Technology Review Inc., an MIT Enterprise, delivers essential information about emerging technologies on the verge of commercialization. Since 1998, paid circulation for the company’s magazine, Technology Review, has more than tripled, climbing from 92,000 to 315,000. Combined with its signature events, newsletters, and online businesses, Technology Review reaches over a million senior technology thinkers and influencers – including venture capitalists, chief scientists, MIT alumni and students, researchers, senior corporate executives, investors, and innovators – throughout the world each month.

About Silex Microsystems
Silex Microsystems AB is a provider of micromechanical components (MEMS) to telecommunications and life science industries. The company designs, develops and manufactures customized components to be integrated with customers’ end products. Silex Microsystems products for telecommunications industry include silicon substrate and movable micro-mirrors for imaging and optical switching. The company’s life science products include disposable blood pressure sensors, spiked electrodes for measuring bio-signals, micro-pumps and micro-needles for drug delivery. Silex Microsystems works with its customers to create and manufacture a variety of customized applications that can be implemented to improve customers’ performance. After 3 years in operation the company has already established a solid base of international companies and organizations and has gained a reputation for producing spearheaded components of high quality. Silex Microsystems is ISO 9001:2000 certified. http://www.silexmicrosystems.com/

Contact:
Helene Andersson
Silex Microsystems
helene.andersson@silex.se
+46 707323115

For TR100 and Technology Review:
Kristen Collins, Technology Review, 617-475-8010, kristen.collins@technologyreview.com

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