Recognizing Utah Innovations and innovators: dates set for second annual Stoel Rives Utah Innovation Awards.

The second annual Stoel Rives Utah Innovation Awards, co-sponsored by Wasatch Digital iQ magazine, is a statewide program that highlights significant innovations in Utah's diverse technology industries and the companies that created them.

This year's entry deadline is February 25, and entry forms may be accessed at www.stoel.com/innovation2004.

"Technology development today is generally a collaborative effort; products are developed by teams rather than by a single inventor," said Stoel Rives attorney Kevin Laurence, who developed the idea for the Utah Innovation Awards. "Rather than just recognizing the CEO or the company, we want to emphasize the innovations, acollectively acknowledging all of individuals who had a role in developing them."

The UTAH INNOVATION AWARDS recognizes innovations in six categories:

* Biotechnology

* Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals

* Medical Devices

* Computer Software & Web Services

* Electrical Devices

* Mechanical Devices

Winners in each category will be chosen by a selection committee whose members have experience and/or expertise related to each subject area. The selection committee is made up of about 25 leaders from private industry, government and higher education, all of whom vote on every category.

"The innovations we recognize have been developed by organizations that run the gamut from start-ups and universities to mature companies," says Laurence. "The hope is that these innovations and innovators will receive the attention and recognition they need to attract additional funding, customers and partners into the state of Utah."

Last year's winners in each category included:

* Biotechnology: Echelon Biosciences, Inc. for the company's synthesis of non-natural or derivatized lipids, which may lead to new methods for fighting such diseases as ovarian cancer and Type II diabetes

* Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals: Brigham Young University, for the discovery of the enzyme COX-3, which will improve inflammation and pain relief

* Medical Devices: Rubicon Medical, Inc. for its Rubicon Filter, which is used in medical procedures to improve safety of surgery, prevent damage to vital organs and reduce the likelihood of strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure

* Computer Software & Web Services: SiliconOptics, for the creation of its software to directly design nano-photonics and photonic bandgap devices, new technology for implementing optical functions directly in silicon computer chips

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