From Idea to Impact: The Finalists of the 2023 Better World Awards

AUTM’s Better World Project recognizes and honors innovative technologies that have the potential to make a significant positive impact on society. In this episode, I speak with the three finalists for the Better Word Project Award.The first nomination is a novel protein sub-unit vaccine that has overcome issues relating to the cost, scalability, and storage of other vaccines. Nomination number two is the iStent ocular tube which treats glaucoma, an eye condition that is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The third nomination is a non-invasive therapy that effectively treats numerous neurological disorders.Listen to this episode to learn about each nominee and then cast your vote for the technology you think is most deserving of the BWP Award! [Voting closes at 3 p.m. Central Time on February 21]In This Episode:[00:41] The goal of the Better World Project (BWP).[00:59] Introducing the first BWP nomination, a novel protein sub-unit vaccine developed by scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital. [02:19] Issues relating to cost, scalability, and storage of most COVID-19 vaccines. [04:34] How the scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital have overcome these challenges. [07:35] The role of universities in the commercialization and distribution of vaccines.[11:43] Factors that Brad Kairdolf and his team took into consideration when they decided not to file for a patent for the vaccine. [15:16] Successes that Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital have seen since the development of the vaccine. [02:34] Introducing the second BWP nomination, the iStent ocular tube developed by Dr. Richard Hill.[18:02] Alvin Viray explains what glaucoma is and what causes it. [19:39] How the iStent ocular tube works and the journey to commercialize it. [23:26] Why the iStent is preferable to traditional glaucoma treatment options.[26:15] Alvin shares his thoughts on how this technology will evolve in the future.  [27:22] Introducing the third BWP nomination, EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device, which uses vibrational waves to non-invasively treat neurological disorders.[28:23] A few things you probably didn’t know about the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST).[29:17] Dr. Rizwan Riaz explains how the EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device works and the R&D process involved in developing it. [31:01] Neurological disorders that the EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device can treat.[31:56] Comparing the EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device to more traditional neurological therapies.[32:53] The process of commercializing the EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device.[34:09] Revolutionary potential of the EKKO Wave Therapeutic Device.Resources:The Better World ProjectBaylor College of MedicineTexas Children's HospitaliStentGlaukosEKKO National University of Sciences & Technology 

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