Taiwan's ITRI Wins Four Medals at 2024 Edison Awards for Innovative Technologies

The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan has won one gold and three silver medals at the 2024 Edison Awards in Fort Myers, Florida, for its innovative products and services. ITRI secured recognition for four exceptional technological advancements: the Novel Dual-Targeted Therapy for Glaucoma, Key Functional Cell Identity (KFCI), PureTex Sustainable Decolorization Solution, and the High Resolution Full-Color Micro LED Display.

ITRI's gold medal was awarded for its pioneering eye drop therapy for glaucoma, which is shown to be three times more effective than existing medications with fewer side effects. The Novel Dual-Targeted Therapy for Glaucoma is the world's first dual-target glaucoma treatment that achieves greater and more sustainable reductions of intraocular pressure.

The institute also won a silver medal in the health category for its Key Functional Cell Identity (KFCI) technology, a precise and standardized screening platform that helps identify therapeutic cells for a stem-cell bank to treat various medical conditions. KFCI identifies super-donor cells to accelerate the development and production of cell therapy.

The other two silver medals were won in the engineering and sustainable solutions categories. The High Resolution Full-Color Micro LED Display is an ultra-high-resolution display technology that outperforms alternatives and is ideal for various applications. PureTex Sustainable Decolorization Solution is an eco-friendly solution that enables closed-loop textile recycling for water treatment.

Why this matters: ITRI's winning streak at the Edison Awards, which extends to eight consecutive years and places it alongside industry giants like Dow, Corning, and DuPont, demonstrates Taiwan's research capabilities in developing new medications and innovative products. The awards recognition means the institute is on the right track in developing innovative R&D products for the commercial market.

ITRI President Edwin Liu expressed pride in the institute's accomplishments, highlighting their commitment to market-driven development and the real-world impact of their innovations. "The awards recognition means the institute is on the right track in developing innovative R&D products for the commercial market, and ITRI will continue to assist Taiwan's industries in becoming more competitive globally," stated Liu. The Edison Awards, known as the 'Oscars of Innovation,' received nearly 400 submissions from around the world this year.

Key Takeaways

• ITRI won 1 gold and 3 silver medals at the 2024 Edison Awards.
• ITRI's gold medal was for its novel dual-targeted glaucoma eye drop therapy.
• ITRI won silver medals for its KFCI cell screening platform and display/decolorization tech.
• ITRI's awards demonstrate Taiwan's research capabilities in developing new products.
• ITRI aims to assist Taiwan's industries in becoming more globally competitive.