One of the University of Aberdeen’s spin-out companies has triumphed once again at a major conference for the Scottish life sciences sector.
Representatives from biotech companies from Scotland and Cambridge took part in an event at the BIA Scotland Thistle Bioscience Forum 2007 where each had 15 minutes to 'showcase' their business to a panel of UK expert investors and advisers.
Four companies from Scotland and three from Cambridge – all pre-selected ahead of the event – participated in the showcase where each outlined their strategies for growth.
But it was the confident pitch delivered by Professor Andy Porter, co-founder of Haptogen Ltd, that secured the top Rising Star award.
Professor Porter, Chief Scientific Officer for Haptogen and Chair in Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Aberdeen, described the repositioning and refocusing of the company, which is involved in groundbreaking research into new treatments for inflammation and infectious diseases.
Professor Porter outlined how Haptogen started out as an antibody generating company and has now expanded to become an antibody developing company. He also revealed that the spin-out has closed four collaborative deals with international companies in the last few months.
Professor Porter said: "Cambridge is often considered the home of biologics but the fact that Haptogen came top in the showcase proves otherwise. This shows that we can compete at the highest level."
Professor Porter and Jim Reid, Haptogen CEO, won the title Ernst and Young UK Entrepreneur of the Year in the Science and Technology Category in 2005. In November that year Haptogen was named as a 'Rising Star' in Deloitte's technology awards. And last February The Herald newspaper included Haptogen in its list of Top 10 new Scottish businesses.
Dr Georg Büchner, Director of Business Development, added: "This latest Rising Star award proves once again that Haptogen is one of the leading life sciences companies in Scotland ready to compete at an international level."