BioIndustry Association Release: Four Innovative Companies Win Places at Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2013
The winning companies - Abcodia, Critical Pharmaceuticals, Nanomerics, and PsiOxus Therapeutics - will showcase their life science technologies to an international audience at the upcoming BIO 2013 Convention in Chicago. They will receive up to £1,500 towards flights and accommodation, and one year's complimentary membership of the BioIndustry Association (BIA).
Steve Bates, Chief Executive Officer of the BIA, said:
"This new UKTI Innovation Competition has presented an opportunity for some of the UK's most innovative life science SMEs to grow their business and showcase internationally what our biotech sector has to offer.
"With a track-record of ground-breaking research, and support from schemes including the Patent Box, R&D tax credits and the Biomedical Catalyst, the UK is increasingly attractive as a location for bioscience business. I'm really looking forward to attending BIO 2013 and promoting UK biotech on a global stage."
Mike Fisher, Director of Strategic Alliances at Abcodia, London, said:
"We are delighted to have been selected for this award. International collaboration is critically important for Abcodia and we believe that this opportunity will enable us to showcase our capability in biomarker validation for the early detection and screening of cancer to an international audience. We are honoured to be representing the best of UK innovation."
Gareth King, Chief Executive Officer of Critical Pharmaceuticals, Nottingham, said:
"We have recently announced the results of a second clinical study on our intranasal growth hormone product (CP024) demonstrating clinical proof of concept and look forward to meeting with commercial partners at BIO 2013 to progress the product into phase 2/3 clinical development. I am extremely grateful to the UKTI for their continued support of innovative life science companies and look forward to showcasing Critical Pharmaceuticals' unique products and drug delivery technologies at this major international event."
Andreas Schatzlein, Chief Executive Officer of Nanomerics, London, said:
"Nanomerics is delighted to be able to showcase to a global audience its Molecular Envelope Technology which boosts the activity of drugs and gets them where they need to be. This approach allows the creation of new medicines based on known drug compounds that now can be given in new ways and for new indications. In a time of undiminished medical need and increasing economic pressure it is crucial that we make the most of the drug compounds that we already understand."
John Beadle, Chief Executive Officer of PsiOxus Therapeutics, Oxfordshire, said:
"PsiOxus Therapeutics is delighted to join the BIA and UKTI at the BIO 2013 Convention. This is a great opportunity for us to showcase our innovative clinical and pre-clinical stage products and platforms to a global audience."
For further information, please contact Robert Winder, Head of Communications, rwinder@bioindustry.org, 020 7630 2191; mobile 07825 942 934.
UKTI Innovation Competition
The UKTI Innovation Competition aims to highlight UK excellence in ground breaking and innovative technologies to a global audience. The competition was open to UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the life science sector with innovative technological ideas. www.ukti.gov.uk/defencesecurity/event/434700.html
BIO 2013 Convention
The BIO convention is the world's largest biotechnology event, attended by over 15,000 industry-leading delegates from more than 65 countries, offering excellent opportunities to share knowledge and establish relationships. BIO 2013 will take place in Chicago, USA, from 22-25 April. Last year approximately 200 UK companies were represented, making the UK the largest overseas delegation at BIO. http://convention.bio.org/
Abcodia
Abcodia is an innovative London-based company engaged in the discovery and clinical validation of biomarkers for the early detection and screening of cancer. www.abcodia.com/
Critical Pharmaceuticals
Critical Pharmaceuticals is a Nottingham-based clinical stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of unique biological products - high value recombinant protein and peptide therapeutics - utilising proprietary drug delivery technologies. www.criticalpharmaceuticals.com/
Nanomerics
Nanomerics, a London-based a speciality pharmaceutical company, creates new medicines by boosting the performance of known drugs and peptides using proprietary pharmaceutical nanotechnology. Its Peptide Pill lead product is an orally active endogenous peptide for the treatment of chronic pain that avoids the problems of current opioid drugs. www.nanomerics.com/
PsiOxus Therapeutics
PsiOxus Therapeutics is an Oxfordshire-based development stage biotechnology company developing novel patent protected therapeutics for serious diseases, with a particular focus upon cancer. www.psioxus.com/
BioIndustry Association
Founded over 20 years ago at the infancy of biotechnology, the BioIndustry Association (BIA) is the trade association for innovative enterprises involved in UK bioscience. Members include emerging and more established bioscience companies; pharmaceutical companies; academic, research and philanthropic organisations; and service providers to the bioscience sector. The BIA represents the interests of its members to a broad section of stakeholders, from government and regulators to patient groups and the media. Our goal is to secure the UK's position as a global hub and as the best location for innovative research and commercialisation, enabling our world-leading research base to deliver healthcare solutions that can truly make a difference to people's lives. For further information, please go to www.bioindustry.org