3 U.S. healthcare companies ranked among the world’s top innovators

Cerner (#34), Express Scripts (#66) and Intuitive Surgical (#87), all healthcare-specific companies based in the U.S., have made the Forbes list of the world’s 100 most innovative companies.

A number of pharmaceutical firms made the cut as well, along with some multi-industry companies with healthcare units (e.g., Cognizant Technology, #96).

Smith & Nephew, the U.K.-based orthopedics player, snuck in at #97.

Offering the rationale behind the rankings, Forbes contributors Jeff Dyer and Hal Gregersen of the Innovator’s DNA consultancy explain that the Forbes formula is a mix of objective and subjective criteria.

“Companies are ranked by their innovation premium: the difference between their market capitalization and a net present value of cash flows from existing businesses (based on a proprietary formula from Credit Suisse HOLT),” they write. “The difference between them is the bonus given by equity investors on the educated hunch that the company will continue to come up with profitable new growth.”

For the list and more on the companies that made it, click here.

Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

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