Optheras, a medical device company focused on advancing minimally invasive bladder cancer treatment, today announced it has been named a finalist in MedTech Innovator’s (MTI) 2026 EXECUTION AWARD competition. The recognition comes as part of the culmination of the world’s largest and most impactful accelerator for medical technology companies.
As one of five finalists, Optheras will compete for the EXECUTION AWARD of $25,000 at the MedTech Strategist Innovation Summit, November 3-5, 2026, in San Diego, California. During the finals, the company will pitch its innovation, ATLAS – Automatic Targeting Laser Ablation System, an assistive laser-based system aimed at procedure-room treatment of non-invasive-bladder cancer – to a panel of industry experts and a live audience that will vote in real time to select the winner.
“We are proud to be an Execution Award finalist in a strong field of highly innovative companies. The recognition reflects the work of a stellar team that has moved ATLAS, our investigational laser platform for low-grade bladder cancer, steadily from concept toward first clinical study. We are developing ATLAS to bring treatment of recurrent low-grade NMIBC out of the operating room and into the procedure room, aiming at reducing complications and shortening recovery, which matters for patients, physicians, providers and payers,” said Thomas Alkeskjold, CEO and Co-founder of Optheras.
In 2026, MTI selected 65 companies from over 1,800 global applicants for its highly competitive accelerator cohort, representing the top 3% of innovations worldwide. Companies benefit from MTI’s comprehensive program of mentorship, strategic guidance, and access to an unparalleled network of medtech manufacturers, investors, providers, and payers.
Optheras was selected based on its innovative laser-based approach to treating bladder cancer in procedure-room settings, without requiring an operating room or general anesthesia. The technology was spun out from Herlev-Gentofte Hospital in Denmark, grounded in more than a decade of clinical research and innovation projects funded by Innovation fund Denmark. The clinical promise – delivering minimally invasive, high-quality bladder cancer care while reducing demands on constrained healthcare resources – directly advances MTI’s mission to improve patient care through transformative technology.