HMCARE wins innovation acclaim for new medical mask

We are thrilled to have been awarded two innovation prizes for the development with partners of a new medical mask that marks a breakthrough on many fronts.

We won second prize in the 2025 Hubert Tuor Prize awarded by the Innovation Academy of the International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control (ICPIC) in Geneva, Switzerland. ICPIC aims to create a safer world through advances in infection prevention, control and management.

HMCARE also came third in the top 15 Swiss health startups at FutureHealth Lausanne 2025. The conference focuses on the future of health care in Switzerland and in particular, on innovation with the potential to sustainably transform an under-pressure Swiss health care system. The 2025 Innovation Challenge looked for real impact solutions that were market ready — or near as —with the ability to ‘change the game’.

HMCARE’s medical mask ticks the boxes.

Medical grade, it protects wearers from infection while being light and comfortable to wear.

Its semi-transparency means a wearer’s facial expressions can be seen and their words better understood. It ensures the clear communication and human connection between carers and patients so vital for successful healthcare outcomes — particularly for children, the elderly and the hard of hearing. But which is often hampered by masks that hide much of the face and muffle the voice.

The added bonus? Our mask is also almost completely biodegradable.

“We are delighted by these awards,” says Thierry Pelet, Co-founder and CEO of HMCARE.

“Although an essential medical tool, masks have changed little over time. Ours has been conceived and developed with others to meet the demands of 21st century healthcare, social impact and environmental needs through innovation. These awards reflect that. Production has now started, and we expect to be market ready in 2026.”