Blog: Bionow Awards Winners past: Where are they now?
Alderley Park, Manchester Science Park and Citylabs are home to some of the brightest minds in life sciences and technology and form part of a network of thriving innovation districts dedicated to driving the growth of the UK’s science and technology sector, and we’re thrilled once again to be sponsors of the 2019 Bionow Awards ceremony.
Ahead of this week’s event, we’ve looked back at some of the past three years’ winners, and caught up with their successes and where they are now.
2018
Last year, Alderley Park-based Seda Pharmaceutical Development walked away with the Technical Service of the Year Award. Since scooping the prize, Seda has appointed a new CEO Paul Stott, and are entering a new phase of growth. We recently caught up with the team to understand their journey and reflect on their success at Alderley Park. Watch the video on the right to hear from them.
Winning was in the air for Blueberry Therapeutics as they walked away with the sought-after Company of the Year Award after completing its £10m series B fundraising and succeeding in their Phase I/II trial.
What’s more, 2018 saw a return to the awards podium for Manchester Science Park based Zilico. After picking up the Best Product or Service Award back in 2013, CEO Sameer Kothari returned to scoop up the Investment Deal of the Year after raising a huge £13.5m to roll out the sales of its device ZedScan which detects life-threatening cervical cancer much earlier than current products on the market.
Hear about what Zilico do and their journey so far in the video on the right.
2017
In 2017, local entrepreneur and Manchester Science Park resident Dr Stephen Little was recognised with the Bionow Outstanding Achievement Award. CEO of Premaitha Health at the time, the company has since rebranded to be Yourgene Health, reflecting the Group’s broadened product development and research service capabilities. In April this year, Yourgene acquired fellow MSP customer Elucigene Diagnostics, complementing their existing non-invasive prenatal testing solutions and broadening their offering as the leading provider of molecular diagnostic solutions. Dr Stephen Little is now Vice Chairman of Yourgene Group. Read more from YourGene here.
2017 Project of the Year was scooped up by MSP’s partner and shareholder the University of Manchester, whilst the Start Up of the Year Award went to Alderley Park based ApconiX, who test drugs at the preclinical stage to ensure they are safe. The company has gone from success to success, expanding from its three founding partners in 2015 to a workforce of 27 today. In 2018, Ruth Roberts, Director & Founder also received the Society of Toxicology 2018 Founders Award for ‘outstanding leadership in fostering the role of toxicological sciences in safety decision-making’. In 2019, ApconiX opened an office in Sweden and also now has a presence in Switzerland, Canada and the USA . It’s safe to say it’s been quite a busy few years for them!
2016
Look back three years ago and it was another success for start ups at Alderley Park as Aptus Clinical were awarded with Start Up of the Year. Since then they’ve expanded, moved offices within the Park, been a shortlisted finalist for OBN’s Specialist CRO of the Year in 2018, and the company now has 48 people. Earlier this year, Aptus commenced impressive new collaborations in the Cell and Gene Therapy arena in iMATCH (a Manchester-based consortium funded by Innovate UK). In addition, the team have secured a £150,000 loan from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, managed by FW Capital, enabling additional investment in infrastructure, staff and capabilities.
2016 was also a fantastic year for the Citylabs’ based Greater Manchester Academic Health Science Network who were awarded with the Bionow Business Service Award. Since then, the Network have gone on to become part of Manchester’s single umbrella health science and innovation system, dedicated to transforming the health and wellbeing of Greater Manchester’s 2.8 million citizens; Health Innovation Manchester.
Here’s to 2019!
We’re looking forward to attending the Bionow Awards this year. 2019 has been another groundbreaking year for innovation in the North. With so many new products, services and innovators in the sector, there’s so much to celebrate. We can’t wait to find out who’ll be recognised this year.
Good luck to all the nominees and don’t forget to say hello on the night! Watch out for Rowena Burns, Chair of Manchester Science Partnerships and Kath Mackay, Managing Director at Alderley Park who’ll be kicking off the ceremony.
If you’d like to get in touch, or arrange to meet us on the evening, contact us: