Nexxus Scotland

AND THE WINNERS ARE .........

It's a little known fact that the West of Scotland is home to around 180 life science related companies - partly due to the fact that, locally at least, the industry tends to be very modest about its achievements.   In a bid to change this, public acknowledgement was made earlier this week of outstanding contributions to life science in the West of Scotland by the presentation of the second annual Nexxus Life Science Awards.

Nexxus, the West of Scotland BioScience Network, awarded prizes in four categories after submissions were invited from those involved in academia, industry and the NHS throughout the West of Scotland.

The winners, who were presented with their awards at a ceremony in Glasgow City Chambers on 13 November 2006, were:

• Nexxus Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Neil Graham
• Nexxus Award for Innovation: Biopta Ltd for Biopta PM-1
• Nexxus Most Promising Young Life Science Company of the Year: Omega Critical Care Ltd
• Nexxus Young Life Scientist of the Year: Professor Lee Cronin

PROFESSOR NEIL GRAHAM 

Professor Graham is Emeritus Professor of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde, having previously been Head of Polymer Chemistry at ICI.   There, he led the ICI team that initiated the composite light-cured dental filling which most people have in their mouths as a preferred alternative to mercury amalgam.   Throughout his career he has been the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships.   His work in polymer chemistry, particularly in applications in drug delivery have had significant impact in both academic and commercial spheres - 100 publications and 80 patents testify to the importance of his work.  In addition, the founding of Polysystems Limited in 1980 led to the creation of two successful companies, Controlled Therapeutics (Scotland) Ltd and The Core Group (now part of CeNeS Ltd).  More recently he was responsible for starting two emergent young companies, Smart Tech Ltd and Ocutec Ltd.  Professor Graham is a perfect example of that blend of highly innovative academic and highly successful entrepreneur the life science industry needs.

He said: "I'm very pleased to receive this award, and in accepting it I'd like to thank the many individuals with whom I have worked in so many different areas over the years, for the inspiration and encouragement they have provided throughout my career.   On a personal note, it's been immensely satisfying to see the companies I founded grow from strength to strength.   While obviously due in no small part to the skills and expertise of those involved in the day to day running of the companies, it is also a reflection of the sheer enthusiasm and pioneering spirit which abounds in the life science industry in the West of Scotland.   I'm delighted to have played a part in it and hope to continue to do so for a long time yet!"

BIOPTA LTD - BIOPTA PM-1

Biopta is a highly successful spin-out company from Glasgow Caledonian University that is no stranger to winning awards.   Their innovative tissue based screening system (Biopta PM-1), in respect of which they have been awarded this year's Nexxus Innovation Award, has created an in vitro bioassay which maintains the in vivo characteristics of the tissue used.  In this way the assay provides the pharmacologist with additional information more easily than existing approaches and has revolutionised the means by which pharmacologists can investigate the basic physiology of the cardiovascular system by automating and de-skilling the entire process.   The system is already beginning to improve and accelerate the drug discovery process in a wide range of applications.

David Bunton, CEO of Biopta, said: "We are very pleased at this recognition of our tissue based screening system and thrilled that the judges chose it over the other entries this year.   We have a young, strong and enthusiastic team at Biopta and it's fantastic to have everyone's hard work recognised in this way."

For more information on Biopta see the Nexxus Biopta case study.

OMEGA CRITICAL CARE LTD

Omega Critical Care Ltd is a Scottish medical device company based in East Kilbride that manufactures and markets a revolutionary new device, truCOMMS®,  which provides the first in situ beat by beat monitoring of cardiac output in critically ill patients. By providing the cardiac anaesthetist and surgeon real time monitoring of cardiac output, it will allow them to quickly respond to any adverse changes and will improve dramatically patients' outcome in cardiac surgery and intensive care.  The company has assembled an experienced management team and has ambitious plans to address markets worldwide that should see the company grow substantially over the next five years with the intention of capturing a significant share of the cardiac output monitoring market which is valued at over £200M per annum. The company was also a recent recipient of an "Investors in People Award".

Managing Director Dr Aws Nashef said: "As a young company we are delighted to have won this award. We appreciate the valuable help and financial support we received from Business Gateway in Coatbridge, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and the Scottish Executive. Having received this award at this early stage in our development is just what we need to increase our credibility in the industry and to help us attract more customers."

PROFESSOR LEE CRONIN 

Since arriving in Glasgow in 2002, Professor Lee Cronin has established a world leading research group with an international reputation, resulting in over 80 publications to date.  His work includes a range of very high profile publications that have been covered in the media and his achievements were recognised this year by promotion to Professor at the tender age of 32.   Professor Cronin's portfolio of work is impressive in the way that it combines a number of diverse disciplines relevant to modern life sciences.  A combination of heterocyclic chemistry, chemical-biology and nanotechnology has led to discoveries that are likely to have applications in identifying new anti-cancer drugs and designing new diagnostic devices.

He said: "It's an honour to receive this award.   I'm fortunate in that I have the support of an excellent research group and many academic colleagues at the University of Glasgow, and beyond, who have all been of immense assistance to me in my work. The West of Scotland is a great place to live and work and the dynamic environment is allowing us to compete at the very highest levels in the UK and worldwide."