XenoGesis has walked away with the Start-Up Award in this year’s Medilink East Midlands Business Competition. Managing Director Dr. Richard Weaver collected the prize on behalf of the company at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

XenoGesis Limited is a laboratory-based contract research organisation (CRO) specialising in preclinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), which is the study of what happens to drugs after they have been administered to the body. Founded in 2011, the company is able to offer their clients an attractive combination of state-of-the-art laboratory tests and bioanalytical capability alongside expert data interpretation, from their base at BioCity in Nottingham.

Managing Director Richard Weaver said: “We are delighted and honoured to have won the start-up award. It’s been a roller-coaster journey from losing our jobs at AstraZeneca to the present exciting position on our long journey. I have a superb team and management board supporting XenoGesis, with scientific excellence and innovation at the heart of what we do. I’m very grateful to BioCity Nottingham and also to Medilink East Midlands for their support in helping XenoGesis get off to the best of starts. We look forward to continuing to help our clients towards their goals of bringing new and needed medicines to the market, with the scientific excellence and rigour that I know we can offer.”

The Start-Up Award is sponsored by Smith Cooper Accountants. James Bagley, Partner, said: “I know the judges were highly impressed by the global ambitions of XenoGesis. Although still a very early-stage business, they have a clear strategy to penetrate both the UK and overseas markets. Not only are they working with three well established international companies in the sector, they are also building strategic networks within the Biotech and Pharma industry to help stimulate growth. This is highly impressive for such a fledgling business.”

In addition to XenoGesis Limited, four companies won Medilink awards in this year’s competition. They are Advancis Medical for Export Achievement, ViVOSmart Medical Devices Ltd for Partnership with the NHS; and Novozymes Biopharma for Innovation and Outstanding Achievement, further evidence of the East Midlands’ impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has increased jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care, especially in the community, resulting in the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services.

The Awards ceremony was supported through the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink East Midlands commented: “The model of big Pharma is changing radically which means that there is a massive opportunity here for companies such as XenoGesis. What is perhaps so special about the company is that, whilst they harbour serious global ambitions, they are also focussed on generating jobs and wealth here in the East Midlands”.

XenoGesis is automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Photo

Dr Darren Clark, Dr Richard Weaver and James Bagley

Richard Weaver, Managing Director of XenoGesis is available for interview after the Awards on: 0115 837 0626 / 07813 124570

Medilink contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography and caption confirmation.

NOTES

The Awards

The five awards’ categories and (sponsors) were: Best Start Up (Smith Cooper Accountants); Export Achievement (Shakespeares); Partnership with the NHS (NHS Midlands and East); Innovation (Potter Clarkson LLP) and Outstanding Achievement (Morningside Pharmaceuticals).

Medilink East Midlands

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for the East Midlands whose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

About Smith Cooper

Along with general compliance services, Smith Cooper operates dedicated corporate finance, specialist tax and corporate recovery and insolvency teams, as well as separate financial solutions, IT and HR divisions.

The firm was founded in 1985 and has offices in Derby, Burton, Birmingham, Nottingham, Alfreton, Ashbourne, Ilkeston and Buxton.

For more information about our services visit www.smithcooper.co.uk, or contact

James Bagley

Partner

Smith Cooper

Mobile: 07702 715587
Switch: 0115 945 4300

2 Lace Market Square, Nottingham, NG1 1PB

ViVO Smart Medical Devices Ltd. has walked away with the Partnership with the NHS Award in this year’s Medilink East Midlands Business Competition.  David Wright, Founder and Managing Director, collected the prize on behalf of the company at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

Since 2010 ViVO Smart has been designing, developing and manufacturing medical devices licensed from the NHS that reduce costs and improve patient care. The company also specialise in the licensing of medical devices, as well as sales and marketing strategies for the commercialisation of breakthrough healthcare technologies. The company won this award for the Pupiloscope™, a device which will allow medics to detect the onset of major head trauma allowing immediate treatment and prevention.

David Wright said: “This is a brilliant result because it demonstrates our commitment to working with NHS Partners and Healthcare professionals to develop Innovative Healthcare Technologies that Improve patient outcomes and reduce costs to healthcare. The Pupiloscope™ is a great example of our collaboration with the NHS; a medical device that can help Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics instantly diagnose, monitor and treat life threatening head injuries.”

The Partnership with the NHS Award is sponsored by NHS Midlands and East. Karen Livingstone, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Commissioning Development, said: “ViVO Smart Medical Devices greatly impressed the judges with their commitment to working with NHS partners, as demonstrated by the collaborative activity on the Pupiloscope™. NHS Midlands and East is committed to driving up innovation throughout all of our organisations.  We know that if we are to continue to enhance the quality of care that our patients receive then we must be at the forefront of developing and utilising new technologies and ways of working.

It is great to see so many new ideas coming from the medical technology sector in the East Midlands and tonight’s awards are a tribute to the innovation and strength of the healthcare sector in the region.”

In addition to ViVO Smart Medical Devices, four companies won Medilink awards in this year’s competition. They are XenoGesis Limited for Best Start Up, Advancis Medical for Export Achievement and Novozymes Biopharma for Innovation and Outstanding Achievement, further evidence of the East Midlands’ impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has increased jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care, especially in the community, resulting in the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services.

The Awards ceremony was supported through the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink East Midlands commented: “What is so impressive about ViVO Smart is their mix of entrepreneurial skill and sound business acumen with a passion for collaborating with NHS doctors, nurses and ambulance crew. Their Pupiloscope™ device has the potential to reduce the time head trauma patients spend in intensive care, which is great news for both patients and NHS budgets.”

ViVO Smart Medical Devices is automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Photo

Dr. Darren Clark, David Wright and Karen Livingstone

David Wright, Founder and Managing Director is available for interview after the Awards on 07809 899425

Medilink contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography and caption confirmation.

NOTES

The Awards

The five awards’ categories and (sponsors) were: Best Start Up (Smith Cooper Accountants); Export Achievement (Shakespeares); Partnership with the NHS (NHS Midlands and East); Innovation (Potter Clarkson LLP) and Outstanding Achievement (Morningside Pharmaceuticals).

Medilink East Midlands

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for the East Midlands whose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

About NHS Midlands and East

NHS Midlands and East is the Strategic Health Authority cluster incorporating NHS East of England, NHS West Midlands and NHS East Midlands which provides strategic direction for healthcare services across this cluster.

Novozymes Biopharma has walked away with the Outstanding Achievement Award in this year’s Medilink East Midlands Business Competition.  Dave Mead, Business Development Director collected the prize on behalf of the company at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

Nottingham-based Novozymes Biopharma develops and manufactures products and technologies that allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop innovative, safe, and more uniform healthcare products. The company is being recognised by this special Medilink award for the world-wide impact its bio-innovations have had on drug delivery, and also for its contribution to the wider community. In January this year the company picked up the prestigious 2012 Drug Delivery Partnership™ Technology Innovation award at the international conference in Nevada. Novozymes Biopharma’s latest ground-breaking technology will allow pharmaceutical companies to extend the time a drug spends in the body, meaning less frequent dosing, easier to understand drug regimes, fewer side effects and reduced costs to the health service provider.

“I am honoured to receive this award on behalf of Novozymes Biopharma”, says Dave Mead. “It is an outstanding recognition for the years of hard work and commitment from our R&D teams, producing leading edge science that could lead to a truly positive benefit to patients’ lives. The technology is based on the attachment of drugs to albumin, a natural carrier of many components, which we have adapted to provide a tunable half-life extension technology, namely Albufuse^® Flex and Recombumin^® Flex.”

The Outstanding Achievement Award is sponsored by Morningside Pharmaceuticals. Dr Nik Kotecha, CEO said: “Novozymes Biopharma deserves this Award for their expertise in shaping drug developments of the future, and also for succeeding in such a competitive global sector. We expect many growing life science companies in the East Midlands will learn from Novozymes Biopharma and aspire to replicate their success.”

Four companies won Medilink awards in this year’s competition. They are Advancis Medical for Export Achievement; ViVOSmart Medical Devices Ltd for Partnership with the NHS; XenoGesis Limited for Best Start Up, and Novozymes Biopharma for Innovation, further evidence of the East Midlands’ impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has increased jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care, especially in the community, resulting in the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services.

The Awards ceremony was supported through the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink East Midlands commented: “We congratulate all four winning companies on their success, but wish to recognise an exceptional company with the Outstanding Achievement Award. In our view, Novozymes Biopharma has shown exceptional vision and leadership in its own business development, but has also engaged in the wider business community by helping to promote and grow our sector.”

Novozymes Biopharma is automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Photo

Dr. Nik Kotecha and Dave Mead

Dave Mead, Business Development Director  is available for interview on 0115 955 3355. www.biopharma.novozymes.com

Medilink contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography and caption confirmation.

NOTES

The Awards

The five awards’ categories and (sponsors) were: Best Start Up (Smith Cooper Accountants); Export Achievement (Shakespeares); Partnership with the NHS (NHS Midlands and East); Innovation (Potter Clarkson LLP) and Outstanding Achievement (Morningside Pharmaceuticals).

Medilink East Midlands

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for the East Midlands whose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

About Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Morningside Pharmaceuticals was established with the aim of making high quality healthcare, accessible and affordable worldwide. Twenty years on and the company has exported its products to more than 80 countries including many developing nations and has been rewarded with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise

The company manufactures and supplies a wide range of healthcare products; including its own Morningside UK licensed branded and generic medicines, the Sensecure^® range of medical devices, Medifend^® Diagnostic Tests and Choice™ Condoms.  It is renowned for its high levels of customer care, comprehensive quality management system and its ability to tailor products and packaging to meet each customer’s individual requirements.

With continuous improvement fundamental to their success, Morningside is increasing its UK market share in key therapeutic categories supplying to the NHS, wholesalers and pharmacies.   Its work with international aid agencies and charities such as UNICEF and the Red Cross is helping to make a difference in the world’s most troubled regions.

Morningside has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2012.  The Queen’s Award is the latest in a long line of accolades achieved in recent years. It was also named the winner of the International Trade category at the recent Leicestershire Business Awards and runner-up in the overall Business of the Year 2012.  This is in addition to the Medilink East Midlands Export Achievement Award in 2011.

For more information, visit www.morningsidepharm.com

Novozymes Biopharma has walked away with the Innovation Award in this year’s Medilink East Midlands business competition.  Dave Mead, Business Development Director collected the prize on behalf of the company at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

Nottingham-based Novozymes Biopharma, develops and manufactures products and technologies that allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop innovative, safe, and more effective healthcare products. They won the Innovation Award for their tunable drug half-life extension technology which will allow significant reductions in the frequency of drug administration for patients, making the drugs more effective and less toxic. Novozymes Biopharma also walked away with the Outstanding Achievement award on the night.

Dave Mead said: “Novozymes is proud to have won the Medilink Innovation Award. The albumin-based technology is adaptable and can be used for both genetic fusion (Albufuse^® Flex) or conjugation (Recombumin^® Flex), providing a unique ability to tune the half-life extension of a drug. For our science to be recognised as the most innovative technology of the year, is a real testament to its potential benefit to the market.”

The Innovation Award is sponsored by Potter Clarkson LLP. Helen Johnstone, Partner, said: “The Judges were looking for something revolutionary, which they found in Novozymes’ tunable half-life extension technology. The technology allows drug manufacturers more flexibility and control of their drug design, which will lead to more effective drugs at smaller doses, improved quality of life for patients and reduced healthcare costs.”

In addition to Novozymes Biopharma, four companies won Medilink awards in this year’s competition; they are Advancis Medical for Export Achievement; ViVOSmart Medical Devices Ltd for Partnership with the NHS, and XenoGesis Limited for Best Start Up, further evidence of the East Midlands’ impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has increased jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care, especially in the community, resulting in the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services.

The Awards ceremony was supported through the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink East Midlands commented: “The innovation that won Novozymes Biopharma this award could be the solution to the problem of poor patient adherence to prescribed medication. It’s a problem that costs the US health system an estimated $290 billion in avoidable spending every year, so we’re delighted to recognise Novozymes Biopharma’s hugely important innovation in this area.”

Novozymes Biopharma is automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Photo

Dr. Darren Clark, Dave Mead and Helen Johnstone

Dave Mead, Business Development Director is available for interview after the Awards on: 0115 9553355. www.biopharma.novozymes.com

Medilink contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography and caption confirmation.

NOTES

The Awards

The five awards’ categories and (sponsors) were: Best Start Up (Smith Cooper Accountants); Export Achievement (Shakespeares); Partnership with the NHS (NHS Midlands and East); Innovation (Potter Clarkson LLP) and Outstanding Achievement (Morningside Pharmaceuticals).

Medilink East Midlands

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for the East Midlands whose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

About Potter Clarkson

Potter Clarkson LLP is a leading firm of European patent and trade mark attorneys.  We have over 50 patent and trade mark professionals working together at a single site.  Their technical qualifications and experience are outstanding and many are recognised as leaders in their field.

The patent professionals are divided into five specialist groups:  Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals; Chemistry; Designs & Engineering; and Electronics & Computing; Clean Technologies. There is much interaction between these groups and our single-site arrangement makes it easy to put together a multi-disciplinary team.

A dedicated Trade Mark group deals with trademarks and every aspect of branding.

For further information, please refer to www.potterclarkson.com

Contact: Kerry Meadwell, Business Support Co-ordinator. Tel: 0115 9552211 Email: kerry.meadwell@potterclarkson.com

Advancis Medical has walked away with the Export Achievement Award in this year’s Medilink East Midlands Business Competition.  The Kirkby-in-Ashfield based company collected the prize at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham.

Founded in 2003, the company works with some of the world’s leading experts in their field, alongside patients and their carers, to develop solutions to wound-care management. The company’s global reach is impressive. Having successfully established key markets through a network of distributors in 36 countries around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, Europe and Australasia and satellite operations in Germany and France, Canada and a new operation in the US due to start in the middle of 2012.

Sales and Marketing Director Mark Allatt said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to have won the Export Award. We are currently undergoing rapid expansion internationally and have faced difficult times during this transition and to be recognised for this reiterates all the hard work that has gone into growing the Advancis Medical brand. We would like to offer a huge thank you to Medilink EM and all that have been involved.”

The Export Achievement Award is sponsored by Shakespeares Legal LLP. Ed Wright, Partner and head of the life science sector team at Shakespeares said: “The Judges were looking for an exceptional example of export-led growth, and found it in Advancis Medical. Having such a strong company in the region is a real asset both in jobs and wealth creation, and we know they are set to grow even further.”

In addition to Advancis Medical, four companies won Medilink awards in this year’s competition. They are ViVOSmart Medical Devices Ltd for Partnership with the NHS; XenoGesis Limited for Best Start Up, and Novozymes Biopharma for Innovation and Outstanding Achievement, further evidence of the East Midlands’ impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has increased jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care, especially in the community, resulting in the cost-effective delivery of healthcare services.

The Awards ceremony was supported through the Healthcare and Bioscience iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, Chief Executive of Medilink EastMidlandscommented: “Advancis Medical is to be congratulated on the way the team have penetrated this market on a global scale. It is also apparent that by introducing new technologies to the NHS to improve the quality of patient care, Advancis is also helping to deliver economic growth for theUK.”

Advancis Medical is automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Photo

Dr. Darren Clark, Mark Allatt and Ed Wright

Mark Allatt, Sales and Marketing Director at Advancis Medical is available for interview after the Awards on: 07500 665526

Medilink contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography and caption confirmation.

NOTES

The Awards

The five awards’ categories and (sponsors) were: Best Start Up (Smith Cooper Accountants); Export Achievement (Shakespeares); Partnership with the NHS (NHS Midlands and East); Innovation (Potter Clarkson LLP) and Outstanding Achievement (Morningside Pharmaceuticals).

Medilink East Midlands

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for theEast Midlandswhose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

About Shakespeares Legal LLP

Shakespeares is a leadingUKlaw firm, with offices located across the Midlands inBirmingham, Nottingham, Leicester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Solihull(Wood Glaister Solicitors), Moreton in Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour.

The firm offers specialist legal services in areas including employment, commercial, property and construction, litigation, insurance and private client. The firm also has specialist sector teams, covering industries including transport and logistics, healthcare, TMT, life sciences and the rural economy.

In June 2011 the firm came together as ‘Shakespeares’. Historically the firm had operated as Shakespeare Putsman in Birmingham, Berryman in Nottingham, and Needham & James in Stratford-upon-Avonand the Cotswolds. On 1^st December 2011, Shakespeares merged with Wood Glaister Solicitors. The Solihull-based firm will continue to trade under its present name.

Shakespeares is at 84^th position in the UK 200 Annual Report 2011, published by The Lawyer, one of the legal profession’s leading publications.

www.shakespeares.co.uk

Four Nottinghamshire-based companies swept the boards in this year’s Medilink East Midlands Business Competition, between them winning all five categories announced at the Innovation Day awards evening at the Belfry Hotel, Nottingham on Thursday 18^th May.

Despite strong competition between the fifteen finalists chosen from across the East Midlands, it was the Nottinghamshire companies who led the way by impressing the judges with their business achievements.

Best Start Up Award winner – XenoGesis Limited

Award sponsor – Smith Cooper Accountants.

XenoGesis Limited is a laboratory-based contract research organisation (CRO) specialising in preclinical drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (DMPK), which is the study of what happens to drugs after they have been administered to the body. Founded in 2011, the company is able to offer their clients an attractive combination of state-of-the-art laboratory tests and bioanalytical capability alongside expert data interpretation, from their base at BioCity in Nottingham.

Innovation Award winner – Novozymes Biopharma

Award sponsor – Potter Clarkson LLP

Novozymes Biopharma develops and manufactures products and technologies that allow pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop innovative, safe, and more uniform healthcare products. They won the Innovation Award for their drug half-life extension technology which will allow significant reductions in drug doses for some patients, making the drugs more effective and less toxic.

Export Achievement Award winner – Advancis Medical

Award sponsor – Shakespeares Solicitors

Founded in 2003, the company works with some of the world’s leading experts in their field, alongside patients and their carers, to develop solutions to wound-care management. The company’s global reach is impressive. Having successfully established key markets through a network of distributors in 36 countries around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, Europe and Australasia and satellite operations in Germany and France, Canada and a new operation in the US due to start in the middle of 2012.

Partnership with the NHS Award winner – ViVO Smart Medical Devices

Award sponsor – NHS Midlands and East

Since 2010 ViVO Smart has been designing, developing and manufacturing medical devices licensed from the NHS that reduce costs and improve patient care. The company also specialises in the licensing of medical devices, as well as sales and marketing strategies for the commercialisation of breakthrough technologies. The company won this award for the Pupiloscope, a device which will allow medics to detect the onset of major head trauma enabling immediate treatment and prevention.

Outstanding Achievement Award winner – Novozymes Biopharma

Award sponsor – Morningside Pharmaceuticals

Novozymes Biopharma is being recognised by this special Medilink award for the world-wide impact its bio-innovations have had on drug delivery, and also for its contribution to the wider community. In January this year the company picked up the prestigious 2012 Drug Delivery Partnership™ Technology Innovation award at the DDP international conference in Nevada.

Speaking after the awards were announced, Dr Darren Clark, chief executive of Medilink East Midlands commented: “These Awards are further evidence of Nottingham’s impact and influence in the healthcare and bioscience business sector. The creativity and innovation shown by these companies has created jobs, profits and business growth which should contribute to the region’s continued climb out of recession. They are also playing a major part in improving patient care by changing the way healthcare is delivered to meet the needs of more cost-effective, community based treatments.”

The Awards ceremony was supported through the iNet programme, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and took place on the evening following Medilink’s Innovation Day, a conference for the region’s leading businesses and academics in the sector.

All four winning companies are automatically entered into the Medilink UK national awards which will take place in early 2013.

ENDS

Back row: David Wright ViVO Smart Medical Devices; Darren Clark CEO Medilink East Midlands; Mark Allatt, Advancis Medical

Middle: Helen Luu, Novozymes

Front: Dave Mead, Novozymes; Richard Weaver, XenoGesis

Medilink East Midlands media contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342 louise@integracommunications.co.uk

Please call Louise for photography, caption confirmation and interviews with the winning companies.

NOTES

Medilink East Midlands is the life science industry association for the East Midlands whose aim is to help healthcare and bioscience companies establish, develop and grow. Medilink’s highly knowledgeable team is a proven and trusted source of expert assistance and provides a range of specialist support services to its network of over 4000 contacts.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet is an initiative, delivered by Medilink East Midlands, that brings together businesses, universities, and the NHS to develop new technologies, processes, products and services in order to build a healthy economy.

The Healthcare and Bioscience iNet project is part financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Dr Phillip Gardiner, CEO at Pneumolabs said, “We are pleased to have entered into a strategic alliance with Sygnature Discovery.  Sygnature has established a reputation for quality science and an ability to generate real value for their clients’ drug discovery programmes.  In addition, we have been collaborating with Sygnature for three years on a highly successful respiratory programme which has generated four candidate drugs, so we already have a well-established working relationship..  Our strategic alliance combines the complementary skills of Pneumolabs, a “centre of excellence” for respiratory disease-focused pre-clinical research services, and Sygnature, a “centre of excellence” for medicinal chemistry-driven integrated drug discovery.  Pneumolabs will continue to provide pre-clinical services independently, but will also be able to contribute to fully-integrated drug discovery programmes through Sygnature’s “federated” CRO model.  Working closely together on respiratory disease-focused discovery projects, we are confident that Pneumolabs and Sygnature can advance clients’ programmes more quickly and effectively.”

Commenting on the new strategic alliance, Dr Simon Hirst, Sygnature’s CEO said, “Pneumolabs has gained an excellent reputation as a contract research company which provides high quality pre-clinical research services focused on respiratory diseases.  The senior management each has extensive experience of drug discovery and development gained at GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Bayer, Merck and Etiologics.  They have initiated and led numerous projects which have successfully progressed compounds from early stage drug discovery into clinical development.  The close working relationship that we have already established with Pneumolabs will be cemented through this new strategic alliance.  It enables Sygnature Discovery to offer its customers a world class, respiratory disease-focused integrated drug discovery service where novel compounds can be designed, synthesised and screened in vitro at Sygnature, assessed at Cyprotex for their metabolic liability and toxicity, and tested at Pneumolabs in pharmocodynamic and disease-relevant in vivo models.  This powerful combination of alliance partners will help advance our clients’ respiratory-focused drug discovery programmes towards development more efficiently.”

/Ends

Media Contact:

Louise Third, Integra Communications Ltd,

louise@integracommunications.co.uk, +44 (0)1159124350

Photography

High Resolution versions of the photos (Dr Simon Hirst, Sygnature Discovery, right : Dr Phillip Gardiner, Pneumolabs, left) are available from the media contact above.

About Sygnature Discovery

Sygnature Discovery is a leading UK-based provider of integrated drug discovery services.  Founded in 2004, Sygnature employs over 50 laboratory-based medicinal chemists and bioscientists (in vitro biologists) in a modern, purpose-built facility in BioCity Nottingham.  Most of these scientists have PhDs and many have 10-22 years drug discovery experience with companies such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Merck and OSI Pharmaceuticals.  Sygnature’s industry-experienced team adds considerable value to clients’ discovery activities by undertaking complete drug discovery programmes and key elements of the drug discovery process, such as hit finding, hit-to-lead and lead optimisation.  Sygnature’s scientists also provide significant intellectual input into clients’ projects; thereby generating novel intellectual property.  Key areas of expertise include medicinal chemistry, bioscience, molecular modelling, ADME/toxicity (through a strategic alliance with Cyprotex Discovery) and pre-clinical experimental services (through a strategic alliances with Saretius and Pneumolabs).  For more information, go to www.sygnaturediscovery.com .

About Pneumolabs

Pneumolabs, formed in 1997, is a contract research company offering a range of pre-clinical research services focused on respiratory diseases, such as asthma(steroid sensitive and resistant), COPD, RSV, nasal inflammation,non-specific lung disease and cough.  A comprehensive range of tests/models are available for the evaluation of putative therapeutic agents.  A group of preferred partners with immense expertise and success has been established to enable Pneumolabs to strengthen the depth of its pre-clinical test/model portfolio; this also enables the company to provide tests using human tissue/cells.  Pneumolabs provides pre-clinical services to progress compounds from hit identification through to disease-relevant models of respiratory diseases.  Pneumolabs’ greatest asset is its staff who have a wealth of experience gained in both the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries; with over 200 scientific publications and numerous compounds reaching clinical evaluation.  The company has recently moved to a new purpose-built suite of laboratories with all of the facilities required to support a quality pre-clinical research services company.  For more information, go to www.pneumolabs.co.uk

Contacts:

© 2012 Sygnature Discovery Ltd.  All rights reserved.

Sygnature Discovery Limited is a company incorporated in England, with company number 05210563, whose registered office and principal place of business is at BioCity, Pennyfoot Street, Nottingham, NG1 1GF, United Kingdom.

Why PR?

The BDTA saw that raising the profile of its President, Ed Attenborough, in the dental and other media and establishing him as a spokesperson for the BDTA would enable the BDTA to communicate its messages clearly to the trade and wider public. In addition the BDTA wished to initiate work on the promotion of dental technology more widely to the general public, particularly to the over 45s.

The Brief:

The BDTA appointed Integra Communications for a year from April 2011 to:

• Raise BDTA President Ed Attenborough’s profile in association with that of the BDTA and its core purposes.
• exploit media opportunities for Ed Attenborough comment
• Gain coverage on technology advances in dental surgery in the wider media

The Campaign 2011/2012:

Integra explored interview, comment and broadcast possibilities and identified a list of target publication titles. In addition to traditional press work, Integra focused on article placement work with a view to commenting on BDTA themes, events and campaigns.

Integra wrote a media profile for Ed Attenborough and circulated it to key journalist contacts. To pitch Ed Attenborough to national business press as well as dentistry media, Integra lined up articles and interviews for the BDTA president.

The Results:

Integra established a clear voice for the BDTA through media comment, regular blog activity in leading dental magazines and other article placement. Titles included Dentistry, The Dentist, The Probe, PPD and a number of online sources.

Work to expand awareness of improvement in dental technologies resulted in pieces in major consumer media including the Mail on Sunday, Mature Times, Sixty Plus Surfers and Choices magazine.

Testimonial

Ed Attenborough says, “Integra grasped the brief we gave them very quickly and constantly came up with different angles to generate articles and comment in the dental press across a wide range of titles. They also demonstrated that it was possible to place articles about dentistry and dental innovation in the mainstream media. Integra are very easy to work with and enabled us to generate significant media coverage without taking up a disproportionate amount of executive time.”

Simon Calvert, Managing Director of the Leicestershire Fit for Work Service says, “The service we provide is breaking new ground in healthcare and involves careful collaboration with a range of healthcare providers and other services. To be recognised at national level for the excellence of our partnership work is a tribute to the professionalism of the team we have working on the project.”

The Fit for Work service was established in 2010 and aims to reduce sickness absence in companies by case-managed interventions to facilitate an earlier return to work. The team have had over a thousand referrals from GP’s across Leicestershire since they were established, most of which are people who are struggling with mental health or musculo-skeletal problems. Of people who engage with the service 77% return to or stay at work.

Dr Rob Hampton, Clinical Lead for the service says, “In 2008, a government report highlighted the complex network of factors which contribute to people being off work on a long term basis and the need for early intervention. It was this challenge that led the team to develop this innovative pilot for Leicestershire. The success of our approach is of benefit to individuals, companies and the economy as a whole. Work is a fundamental aspect of the human being as a social animal. Being in work, as opposed to being on benefits, is now proven to improve a person’s health.  Encouraging more people to work, whatever their problem, is good for local business, the economy, but most importantly to the person’s own health.”

The BMJ awards shortlist highlights how the Leicestershire team built a partnership to create a commissioning group to successfully bid for the pilot project in liaison with a multidisciplinary team to deliver the service. The partnership was built from seven local commissioning bodies including JobCentre Plus, both Primary Care Trusts in the county and both Local Authorities. The team of fourteen people delivering the service are from five local organisations.

Calvert observes, “When you are dealing with complex issues that cut across the remits of a number of organisations it is necessary for those organisations to work together in a co-ordinated partnership. It is the success of this unique partnership, working in collaboration, which has helped us to deliver a service that has been recognised by this nomination.”

/Ends

Media Contact

Andrew Third, Integra Communications Ltd, 0115 912 4350, andrew@integracommunications.co.uk

Notes for Editors

Simon Calvert and/or Dr Rob Hampton are available for interview by arrangement through the media contact above.

Example case studies can be made available but the material will be anonymised.

Leicestershire Fit for Work

The Fit for Work Service in Leicestershire provides early intervention, designed to enable those in danger of long term sickness absence to return to work as quickly as possible. The services provide one to one case management to help individuals access the help they need and to work with employer and employee to achieve an outcome which ensures continuing employment and minimises the absence period.

The service is a pilot programme, funded by central government, looking at the best ways to provide early intervention support for which present health and employment services do not provide a systematic pathway.

The service is looking to work with the media to build awareness, particular among businesses, of the benefits of early intervention to avoid long term absence. Keeping people in work also has significant social and economic benefits.

www.leicesterfit4work.org.uk

This highly-specialised company has developed a patent-protected process used to produce nano-materials for a variety of industries including automotive, electronics and green energy. The company plans to double staffing over the next two months, with turnover expected to quadruple during 2012 based on order book and future sales. In order to expand, the team will need to move from its laboratory in BioCity Nottingham to a bigger facility at the Nottingham Science Park where it will be able to house the required manufacturing equipment.

Promethean Particles chairman Barry Stickings CBE says: “High-value manufacturing of the kind delivered by our company is in great demand and we needed this funding to take advantage of new opportunities around the world. BioCity Nottingham has provided the ideal environment for our early development when the costs of going it alone would have been prohibitive. The Promethean team have appreciated all the help and support they have received from BioCity since we formed the company in 2008.”

Promethean Particles is a spin-out company from The University of Nottingham based on the research of Professor Ed Lester. The underpinning technology was fully developed at the University prior to company formation in 2008 when seed-corn investment was secured through the Lachesis Fund and Catapult Venture Managers. The company continues to enjoy the full support of the University including further investment during this round. Legal advice to the company on the investment was provided by Tom Gray of Actons solicitors in Nottingham.

The latest round of equity funding has been lead by E-Synergy (which manages the East Midlands Early Growth Fund) and includes continuing support from the Directors and the Lachesis Fund as well as new investment from a number of private investors.

Robert Cawdron, fund manager at E-Synergy says: “In such a tough funding climate, Promethean has shown exceptional professionalism to attract strong interest from new investors. We have worked with the team to source the finance, and also to secure the backing of individuals who recognise the growth potential of the company.  Our investment comes at a very exciting stage in the commercialisation of the technology and we have every confidence that the management team will be able to exploit multiple promising opportunities.”

Toby Reid, director of BioCity Nottingham has watched the company grow: “Promethean Particles has demonstrated a real aptitude for innovation and commercialisation of its production process. ‘BioCity cannot provide the appropriate space for Promethean to scale their manufacturing plant so it is right that they move on from BioCity –metaphorically fly the nest – and take every opportunity a Nottingham base provides to thrive in a very niche sector. The team will always remain part of the wider BioCity community.”

ENDS

Photo: Left to right: Alan Lamb; Professor Ed Lester; Sandy Gordon, Barry Stickings CBE and Toby Reid.

Hi Res version available

Media contact:

Louise Third – BioCity public relations

Tel: 0115 912 4350 / 07773 288342

louise@integracommunications.co.uk

NOTES

www.biocity.co.uk

About BioCity Nottingham Ltd

BioCity Nottingham Ltd has developed and operates one of the largest bioscience incubators in Europe. Home to around 70 early-stage businesses it is a hot-bed of entrepreneurial activity in the sector. As well as providing very flexible laboratory and office facilities, BioCity Nottingham is able to provide on-site a whole range of non-core but vital services to businesses which would otherwise be costly and inefficient for them to develop in-house. This ensures that companies with BioCity Nottingham have maximum opportunity for success and investors see the most efficient use of their funds.

www.biocity.co.uk

About Promethean Particles Ltd

Promethean Particles was formed in 2008 with investment from the Lachesis Fund and Catapult Venture Managers and is based at Biocity Nottingham.  Promethean designs, develops and manufactures a range of inorganic nanomaterial dispersions that are used across a broad range of industrial sectors and has been revenue generating since 2009.  The Promethean customer base consists of multinationals from around the world with key markets in Europe, Japan and the US.  Each new material is developed in close collaboration with the customer to identify the best way to enhance product functionality.  Promethean also has proven commercial scale manufacturing capability for when products move to market.  Promethean’s patented manufacturing technology was developed at the University of Nottingham and is flexible enough to meet the demands of numerous market sectors.

www.prometheanparticles.co.uk