Second Sight Medical Named 2014 Technology Pioneer

World Economic Forum Recognizes Creator of Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System with Prestigious Award

SYLMAR, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., the leading developer of retinal prostheses for the blind, today announced that the company has been selected as a 2014 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.

At Second Sight, this recognition by the World Economic Forum has validated our commitment to providing state-of-the-art technology to patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and other forms of vision loss.

Technology Pioneers are a part of the World Economic Forums community of pioneers, disruptors and innovators. Among the criteria for a Technology Pioneer are visionary leadership and the potential to transform the future of business and society.

The award follows the launch of the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System, the worlds first approved device intended to restore some functional vision for people suffering from blindness due to outer retinal degenerations. The Argus II has been approved for market distribution in both Europe and the U.S.

We are honored and humbled to be named alongside such prominent, world-class innovators as a 2014 Technology Pioneer, said Robert Greenberg, MD PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer at Second Sight. At Second Sight, this recognition by the World Economic Forum has validated our commitment to providing state-of-the-art technology to patients suffering from retinitis pigmentosa and other forms of vision loss.

Each year the World Economic Forum chooses a select number of Technology Pioneers from hundreds of applicants. Candidate companies are nominated by Members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum, and by the public. A selection committee, comprised of top technology and innovation experts, academics and venture capitalists, reviews all the applications before making its recommendation to the World Economic Forum.

About the Argus II System

The Argus II System works by converting video images captured by a miniature camera housed in the patients glasses into a series of small electrical pulses that are transmitted wirelessly to an array of electrodes on the surface of the retina. These pulses are intended to stimulate the retinas remaining cells resulting in the corresponding perception of patterns of light in the brain. The patient then learns to interpret these visual patterns thereby regaining some visual function. Second Sight gained European approval (CE Mark) for the system in 2011 and FDA approval in 2013. It is the first approved retinal prosthesis anywhere in the world, and the only such device approved in the USA.

About Second Sight

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Second Sight Medical Named 2014 Technology Pioneer