Local tech companies bring home awards

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Two local companies have been named to the 2007 World Economic Forum’s “Technology Pioneers” list. Baltimore-based biotech company Lentigen and Reston-based Internet company comScore Networks Inc. were both awarded the honor, which is given to companies from all over the world that are making a significant impact in their industries.

This year’s list of 47 winners included 13 California companies, as well as companies based in India, Israel and the Netherlands. The World Economic Forum is an international nonprofit headquartered in Geneva that is focused on advancing global economic agendas through multi-country partnerships.

Technology Pioneer winners, picked from a field of 225 nominees, were selected by a panel of venture capitalists and technology experts. Each winner must demonstrate that its product is innovative and show its long-term impact on business and society.

For example, Lentigen is working on a flexible influenza vaccine that can change as the virus mutates and eliminates the need for stockpiling doses. But in addition to the cutting-edge technology, which works using a laser-focused gene delivery system, Lentigen’s management team has also had success with its business model. Unlike many biotech companies, which often operate in the red while focusing on developing clinical trials, Lentigen licensed its technology to bring in revenues pre-commercialization.

“When they evaluated us, I think that they saw the type of technology we’re working on. We’re working on a pandemic flu vaccine,” said founder and CEO Boro Dropulic. “We’re generating revenues but at the same time going after some serious illnesses that could have worldwide implications. ... We’re very thrilled to get the award.”

ComScore set itself apart with the development of Internet metrics that can gauge the success of a Web site on a global level that wasn’t previously available. Tracking sales trends, market share and consumer loyalty, many advertising agencies are using the reports to develop media strategies and pitch to high-profile clients.

“Before comScore’s founding, [these types of] metrics were not available in the online world,” said Magid Abraham, president and CEO of comScore. “ComScore met this significant need through the creation of innovative technology and the recruitment of a consumer panel of two million global Internet users, whose online behavior is continuously and confidentially collected.”

kwilmeth@dcexaminer.com

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