mPedigree wins Global Security Challenge Start-Up prize

At the GSC Summit 2010, which took place in London on November 11th and 12th, Bright Simons mPedigree Network came in as Best Security Start-Up and was awarded a $200.000 investment from the TSWG (Technical Support Working Group) of the US Department of Defense as well as mentorship from Advent Venture Partners.

The mPedigree Network is a Ghanaian initiative to fight fake and counterfeit medication. It enables medical staff and patients to verify the authenticity of their medicine with the help of a simple text message. A unique product code, which is embossed on each medicine packaging, can be sent to a central database where it is verified and validated by a text message answer.

This simple procedure of verification has proven to be far more secure than holograms and less cost intensive than similar procedures involving RFID technologies. It has subsequently caught the attention of several multinational pharmaceutical companies who plan to introduce mobile phone based pharmaceutical authentication. mPedigree now works closely with Hewlett Packard - DLD friend Gabi Zedlmayer is in charge - and aims to extend it's service across Africa in the coming years.

Bright Simons, President of mPedigree said "This is a clear sign that African technology has come of age and also that innovators in Africa addressing complex, difficult and unique challenges can, notwithstanding limited resources, deliver world class results."