Olaf Diegel wins prestigious innovation award

BAYER INNOVATOR AWARDS

Media Release - 15 August 2008

Olaf Diegel wins prestigious innovation award

Auckland entrepreneur Professor Olaf Diegel was picked from a strong field of ten finalists to win a Bayer Innovators Award for the Activa Xrystal, a blood pressure monitor.

The awards ceremony was held in Auckland at the Hyatt Hotel last week (05 August).

Professor Diegel won the science and health category of the Bayer Innovators Awards, one of six categories encompassing a wide range of industries and sectors.

The Activa Xrystal was recognised as having clear benefits and enormous potential. It uses LCD technology to minimise parts and software that tracks blood-sugar levels and body-weight so people can take preventative measures before they become ill.

The chances are Xrystal will become even smarter as it expands into more preventative medicine areas such as asthma and forecasting conditions that could lead to cardiovascular disease.

More than a hundred people representing 60 finalists across six categories attended the Awards.

Hans-Dieter Hausner, Senior Country Representative Bayer Australia and New Zealand said that as a global company with a proud history of research and development, Bayer recognised the link between innovation and business success.

“At any one time Bayer is involved in up to 100 research trials in New Zealand, whether it’s a new cancer treatment, a new crop protection product or a new cattle drench, said Hans-Dieter Hausner.

Last year Bayer spent more than NZ$5 billion on research and development.

“Innovation is the key to future business success, which is why we support the Bayer Innovators Awards in association with the National Business Review.”

The six category award winners in the Bayer Innovators Awards were:

1. Agriculture and environment: Johan Verbeek, University of Waikato & Novatein, Waikato.
2. Design and Engineering: Chris Mardon and Tom Mackenzie, Energy Mad, Christchurch.
3. Information Technology and Communications: Mike Carden and Mark Hellier, Sonar 6, Auckland.
4. Manufacturing: David Percy, Pertronic, Hutt Valley.
5. Research and Development: Ray Avery, Medicine Mondiale, Auckland.
6. Science and Health: Olaf Diegel, AUT University, Auckland.

ENDS

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