Sproxil, a leading provider of world-class brand protection for emerging markets, has been named a recipient of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s ‘Patents for Humanity’ Award during a ceremony on Capital Hill today. Launched in 2012 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Patents for Humanity is a competition recognizing patent owners and licensees who address global challenges in health and standards of living.
Sproxil is recognized for its Mobile Product Authentication™ (MPATM) solution that allows consumers to verify products are genuine by using a mobile phone and a free (SMS) text message. While the solution can be used for any tangible product, MPA solution’s first application is addressing the need to combat counterfeit medication.
Upon purchasing medication, consumers scratch a label revealing a one-time use code, then text the code to a secure number provided on the package. As part of the MPA technology, the text message is processed to determine the drug’s genuineness. Within seconds, the end user is notified, via text, of the result. Alternatively, consumers can call a consumer support desk to get results in their local language.
The solution is deployed in developing regions of Africa and Asia; it is offered in Nigeria, India, Kenya (serving East Africa), and Ghana (serving West Africa).
As of March 2013, over 3.8 million products had been verified using the MPA Solution. Sproxil has won awards from the Clinton Global Initiative and IEEE, amongst others. Most recently, the company was ranked #1 in health care and #7 overall in Fast Company® Magazine’s World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies.
