Allan Wilson, the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, is today (August 29) meeting the award winning entrepreneurs behind one of the University of Aberdeen’s most successful spin-out companies.
The Deputy Minister is visiting Haptogen whose founders Professor Andy Porter and Jim Reid won this year’s Ernst and Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Science and Technology.
Antibody engineering company Haptogen is involved in pioneering research into new treatments for obesity and infections diseases such as MRSA. It recently secured a £1.5 million pound deal with leading Korean pharmaceutical company DaeWoong to develop new drugs to fight MRSA and other “superbugs” as well as serious bacterial infections associated with cystic fibrosis, patients in intensive care and patients with severe burns.
Deputy Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Minister Allan Wilson, said: “Diseases caused by superbugs like MRSA present major challenges to scientists and health professionals, so the technology being developed by Haptogen is clearly of vital importance to us.
“I am pleased that the Executive has been able to support Haptogen’s cutting-edge work into developing new treatments for obesity through our SMART awards scheme.
“Many of Scotland’s most ambitious small businesses have been supported through our pipeline of support for innovation. Investment in our high-tech companies helps them to succeed in the marketplace and helps the Scottish economy to be more competitive and productive.”
Professor Porter, Chief Scientific Officer at Haptogen, said: “We have had a great year so far and are set to achieve other key milestones later in 2005.
“A lot of our success comes from our world class science team, many of whom have benefited from the excellent training in biotechnology they have received as postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen.”
Jim Reid, Chief Executive Officer of the company, added: “Haptogen has been successful and grown strongly over the past few years as a result of its world class science, strong commercial management and an excellent support structure involving the University of Aberdeen, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and the Scottish Executive.”
The Deputy Minister will hear a short presentation about Haptogen and will also be given a tour of the company’s facilities at the University’s Medical School.