BioAlberta Recognizes Alberta Innovators And Entrepreneurs At 2017 AGM And Awards Gala

EDMONTON, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BioAlberta, in conjunction with TEC Edmonton, hosted the Health and Life Sciences Showcase, and BioAlberta hosted its 18^th annual Awards Gala in Edmonton. Throughout the day, over 250 representatives from industry, educational institutions and government took part in the event. The Awards Gala recognized leaders within Alberta’s life sciences industry for their innovation and achievements. BioAlberta would like to congratulate the following BioAlberta Industry Award winners for inspiring new ways of thinking and for their contributions to the industry:

Botaneco Inc. is the recipient of the Company of the Year Award. This award, accepted by President and CEO James Szarko, is presented to a company that has shown significant achievement within the marketplace and Alberta’s business community through strong performance or a leadership role. Botaneco, a Calgary-based company, developed a unique patented oilseed processing platform technology, based around novel separation and purification techniques, enabling the recovery of high-quality proteins and oleosomes. These unique purified extracts - Hydresia ® Oleosomes, Karmyn™ protein and CapSol™ - are then used to improve the natural authenticity and performance of personal care products. For more information, go to: www.botaneco.com.

Mr. Cristian Scurtescu is the recipient of the Scientific Achievement and Innovation Award. This award recognizes an individual or a team responsible for a breakthrough innovation with commercial application. Cristian is the founder, president and CEO of SmileSonica Inc., an Edmonton-based company focused on the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of medical devices for dental and health care applications. Mr. Scurtescu and his team developed a flagship product called the Aevo System™ medical device, which is approved for sale in Canada, Europe and Australia. The Aevo System™ enhances the physiological processes associated with orthodontic treatment. For more information, go to: www.smilesonica.com.

“It is important that we recognize and acknowledge, not only innovative thinking and leadership within the industry, but also the incremental achievements that our members have accomplished. We are very pleased to be honouring these exceptional award recipients who exemplify the excellence in Alberta’s life sciences industry,” said Mel Wong, President and CEO of BioAlberta. “To achieve our vision of building a thriving and globally competitive industry, and fueling and accelerating the economic diversification of Alberta's economy, it is important that BioAlberta creates awareness of the achievements of our member companies.”

About BioAlberta

BioAlberta is the leading voice and champion for the life sciences in Alberta. The Association’s vision is to create a thriving and competitive life sciences industry to facilitate and accelerate economic diversification, investment attraction and job growth in Alberta. BioAlberta is a private, not-for-profit industry association, representing more than 160 members of Alberta’s steadily growing life sciences industry of researchers, producers and suppliers in the province. These members operate in specialized sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, natural health products, as well as environmental, agricultural and industrial biotechnology. BioAlberta’s activities are focused on advocacy, promotion and proactively facilitating the growth of Alberta’s life sciences industry. For more information, go to: www.bioalberta.com.