Two S/Africans win innovation price for Africa

The announcement was made during an awards ceremony hosted in Abuja last week by the African Innovation Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Government.Selected from about 700 applications from 42 countries, Dr Duneas and Mr Peres will receive USD 100,000 for the Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM TM), the first injectable porcine derived BMP […]

The announcement was made during an awards ceremony hosted in Abuja last week by the African Innovation Foundation in collaboration with the Federal Government.
Selected from about 700 applications from 42 countries, Dr Duneas and Mr Peres will receive USD 100,000 for the Altis Osteogenic Bone Matrix (Altis OBM TM), the first injectable porcine derived BMP medical device in the world – an innovative product for the treatment of bone injuries and voids through the use of a regenerative biological implant.
Before the Altis OBM was invented, patients with serious bone trauma or degradation would have to endure the removal of bone tissue from their own hips or from deceased donors in the hopes of undergoing successful bone crafting surgery- both very invasive methods.
 The injection of OBM leads to the rapid, safe and effective healing of problematic bone injuries, leading to the complete and natural restoration of the bone, including the bone marrow. OBM is the only bone graft substitute containing naturally extracted bone growth proteins that cooperate with high efficacy and are sourced from mammals, making it cost effective to produce.
The IPA 2014 also recognized two runners up for their contributions to African innovation.  In the business potential category, Logou Minsob (Togo) received $ 25,000 for his Foufou Mix, a food processor designed to replace the mortar and pestles used to prepare Foufou, a popular dish in West Africa.
In the social impact category, Melesse Temesgen (Ethiopia) received $25 000 for developing the Aybar Broad Based Furrow Maker (BBM), a low-cost farming device that is used to easily drain excess water from waterlogged fields.
“This year’s Innovation Prize for Africa winners showcase that Africans can find solutions to African challenges,” said Jean-Claude Bastos de Morais, founder of the African Innovation Foundation and the IPA.  
 “We encourage partners from both the public and the private sectors to coherently work together to support African innovation.”
Founded by the African Innovation Foundation, the IPA is focused on building Africa’s capacity by investing in homegrown innovation. The Prize mobilizes leaders from all sectors – private sector, donors and government – to promote and invest in African development through innovation.