Biotech Awards 2016 supplement

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Research, Translation, Commercialisation

bi technology awards 2016

Discovering New Frontiers We invited Cytocentrics’ CEO James Garvin and CSO Thomas Knott to provide us with a unique insight into the firm and the services it provides.

www.ghp-magazine.com

Biotechnology Awards Welcome to the 2016 Biotechnology awards.

When it comes to the global healthcare industry, there are few sectors more exciting, varied and able to capture the imagination as the relatively new field of biotechnology.

Biotechnology is increasingly seen as being at the very vanguard of medical science, and with this trend set to continue as the 21st century wears on, Global Health & Pharma is dedicated to following the most cutting edge developments and game-changing advances that will shape the healthcare world and beyond for years to come.

The 2016 Biotechnology Awards are our way of spreading the word about what is a truly fascinating and vital industry and of recognising and congratulating the researchers, clinicians, MDs, chemists and engineers paving the way for others to follow.

We are fully committed to showing this fascinating and vital industry the respect it truly deserves, applying the same rigorous and in-depth processes and standards that mark out the biotech industry itself during our rigorous nomination, judging and research processes.

the award winners...

04 Best Human Cell Research Technology Developers Cytocentrics, Inc 08 Best for Cancer Patient Custom Therapy Identification Alacris Theranostics GmbH 10 Best Cleanroom Architectural Solutions Provider Delta 2000 Srl 12 Best Global Ultrasound & Photoacoustic Systems Developer FUJIFILM VisualSonics, Inc. 14 Recognised Leader in Molecular Diagnostics Genome Diagnostics Private Limited 16 Best Early-Phase Chronic Disease Drug Discovery Company Medlab Clinical LTD 18 Most Innovative Electronic Instrumentation for Neuroscience npi electronic GmbH 20 Recognised Global Leader in Phytochemistry - Wales PhytoQuest Ltd 22 Best Amino Acid Analytical Laboratory AminoAcids.Com 23 Most Innovative Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Kits Analytik Jena AG 24 Best Life Sciences Research Tool Provider Biovision, Inc. 25 Recognised Leader in Basic Medical Sciences - Turkey Cukurova University Rectorate 26 Best Microfluidic Drug Discovery Platform: CyclOPs™ Cyclofluidic Ltd 27 Best for Advanced Dental Treatments - UK Exceldent 28 Innovation Award for Diabetes Treatment Product: ITCA 650 Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. 29 Best Global Medical Products Provider Medline International B.V. 30 Most Innovative Skin Care & Nutrition Product Manufacturer & Recognised Global Leaders in Anti-Aging Genetics NU SKIN SCANDINAVIA 31 Best for Biomechanical Assessments & Orthotic Services - North West Premier Clinic Ltd 32 Best Company for Life Sciences R&D Applications – UK Sphere Fluidics Limited

“Although all of this may sound very complicated, ultimately our mission is simple: we want to help change the face of medicine, to make the treatment of patients be better, faster, and more effective.”

Thomas Knott, Cytocentrics, Page 4 Global Health & Pharma, 39A Birmingham Road, Blakedown, Worcestershire, DY10 3JW Tel: +44 (0) 1234 567 890 | Email: info@ghp-magazine.com | Web: www.ghp-magazine.com

BI160005

Best Human Cell Research Technology Developers

Cytocentrics is a convergence of unique blends of technology and bioscience that come together to create new frontiers of discovery and understanding about human cells. We invited CEO James Garvin and CSO Thomas Knott to provide us with a unique insight into the firm and the services it provides.

Cytocentrics is based in is in San Antonio, Texas, with CRO facilities in New Orleans, Louisiana, Birmingham, Alabama and Waltham, Massachusetts as well as research and CRO facilities in Cologne, Germany and Einhoven, Netherlands.

These facilities are dedicated to producing new discoveries and increasing the collective knowledge on human cells. These new discoveries are the pathways to a far more effective utilization of drugs and drug therapies. Our role is finding new discovery methodologies for curing diseases such as diabetes, cancer and about being able to understand cellular actions in treatment modalities.

Ultimately our work is a union of bio-science, nanoscience, microchip development, software development, and engineering, as well as being about manufacturing and selling the world’s most accurate and hands free patch clamp system as well as providing unique CRO services to our clients.

Our objective is to engage other researchers, medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, to use this far more evolved process to expand their visions for improved clinical solutions to unmet or poorly met medical needs – giving the world better treatment options, better drug therapy options, better cure options.

Overall our focus is on ion channels, understanding their role in cellular activity and mining the data that comes from that understanding.

Although all of this may sound very complicated, ultimately our mission is simple: we want to help change the face of medicine, to make the treatment of patients be better, faster, and more effective. We want to be contributors to making that a reality.

In order to achieve this mission our resources are divided into three inter-connecting divisions: • Research: research conducted into our technology and how that technology improvements, enhances drug development and patient treatment modalities; • CRO: research conducted on behalf of other groups, investigating items that are on their agen-

da and with our international footprint, allows us an opportunity to respond and provides services more quickly and efficiently; • Manufacturing: we are an instrumentation company that develops and sales our technology to be used by pharma, academic institutions and independent researchers The constant evolution of the technology to improve and make it better, alongside our research groups, makes a compelling interconnectivity group that forges a bond between what research is needed and how to develop the technology that can move it forward.

Currently our technology allows us to explore, in a highly accurate way, more so than any other technology, the ion channel activity on cells – and we do that on an on-going basis today, doing many things that others are hoping that can get accomplished sometimes in the future – hence our slogan of “Cytocentrics is where tomorrow begins today.”

Despite this we cannot rest until we have pushed the boundaries of those frontiers even further – and that means helping find ways for pharma, for medicine, to more effectively, more efficiently, more accurately treat diseases in the body. Specific with regard to patient therapies, in whatever form those might take, are going to require information about how specific cells, in specific parts of the body, are behaving, are reacting both to disease and the treatment of disease. But this information has to come in real time and that is where we are looking now, making that information available on a real time basis.

As such the firm is constantly looking for new technologies to explore and develop. The firm has exclusive rights to the next generation of human matured iPS cells which look and behave like native adult cardiomyocytes. This development leap provides the opportunity to examine compound effects on electrophysiology using patch clamp and MEA platforms, and contractile force using our high throughput platform.

Working across such a wide range of technologies and specialisms has provided us with a unique insight into our market. Traditionally our industry been divided

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into two camps when it comes to cellular ion channel research and work. The first is the manual process – very slow but highly accurate. The second camp, and a large one, is the automated process, which has very high throughput but severely diminished accuracy.

Some might argue that the accuracy is not all that diminished but forgetting the corporate sales literature, the laboratory results say quite clearly it is diminished.

If you couple that with the US FDA’s CiPA initiative that is going to require extensive ion channel safety screening on new drugs, from a business perspective, it is either an opportunity or a problem.

At this point in the industry, our technology allows us to do multiple ion channels on the same cell, to vary concentrations, time, temperature on the same cell, it allows us to do the entire CiPA panel – all with one piece of instrumentation and no one else can do that at the present. So, we have an edge, but in this world, those kinds of edges don’t last long – competition, and need, will drive innovation and the need for innovation has never been greater than it is right now in our industry.

Our scientists, our researchers know that and that is why we cannot rest and cannot take anything for granted.

As a firm we are privileged to work with such dedicated staff, and our culture is centred on our mission, changing the face of medicine for the good of the patient. Whilst we cannot ensure that mission and its inherent values are upheld by every single person in the company, we try very much to make sure those who do come on board provide us with an understanding that both get the mission and embrace the mission. We are constantly discussing our mission in great depth and apply it to every project we undertake.

One of the major challenges we face as a business is hiring the best and the brightest staff. Our culture is collaborative, both in formal and informal ways, therefore all of our facilities talk with one another, share pertinent data and offer suggestions back and forth, creating a neuro-network that is constantly firing information along its pathways. Not everyone is a good fit for our firm and we appreciate that, but we are always seeking new staff to support us and join our team.

Another challenge we are encountering is that we are constantly faced with science that is moving very quickly and information is coming at us from literally hundreds of input points every day – managing that information, getting a richness from that information is a continuing challenge because there is just so much of it. But that is what excites us and motivates us as it is never boring.

When you couple teams of people like that with the best in class technology, we are different, we are unique and that becomes readily apparent with you are around our people and use our technology. Our accuracy is unsurpassed, we can do the entire CiPA panel, we can keep cells alive for forty minutes, which is significant in developing more sustainable and stable readings, we can do stem cell cardiomyocytes and fast ligand gated ion channels (NMDA) and we can do mechanical stimulation. All of that separates us from our competitors and marks us out to our clients as the best provider of human cell research technology.

For Cytocentrics, there is a firm belief that there is a correlation between cellular ion channels, their activity and diagnostics – particularly in the specific patient diagnostic arena. Therefore moving forward we are devoting a significant amount of research to expand our understanding of those correlations and how that can help treatment modalities.

Additionally we are taking an aggressive stance to growing our business in two main areas. The first area is focused on seeking out strategic partnerships whether that be with other CROs, with pharmaceutical firms and with

other researchers, working within those partnerships to broaden our understanding of the science and broaden our collaborative network. The second involves actively looking for acquisitions that will help deepen our business footprint and accelerate our forward motion. These growth strategies offer a number of exciting possibilities for the future and we are excited for the firm’s prospects.

In order to achieve this growth we have recently undertaken a partnership with Cyprotex PLC, a specialist ADME-Tox and Bioscience Contract Research Organisation, to extend Cyprotex’s capabilities in the in vitro ion channel screening market. A consortium in the USA known as CiPA (Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrythmia Assay) is currently evaluating a new paradigm for regulatory cardiac safety testing using in silico and in vitro methods. CiPA is co-sponsored by the Cardiac Safety Research Consortium (CSRC), the Health and Environmental Sciences Institute (HESI) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The in vitro methods currently being evaluated include single ion channels measurements, and integrated ion channel measurements in human stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Cyprotex is an active member of CiPA and plays a vital role in the development and validation of the human stem-cell derived cardiomyocyte assays using microelectrode array. This is an area in which Cyprotex has considerable expertise being the first company to launch this technology onto the market as a higher throughput platform via its eCiphr®Cardio service. The agreement with our firm will complement existing technology already provided by Cyprotex by allowing Cyprotex to offer a panel of single ion channel measurements. This will enable Cyprotex to offer a fully comprehensive package of in vitro cardiac safety services which focus on key testing methods currently being addressed within the CiPA initiative.

The introduction of the new ion channel services will not only allow Cyprotex to offer cardiac safety testing but will also allow screening for potential biological effects on ion channels, thereby extending Cyprotex’s bioscience capabilities. The new facility, anticipated to be operational in H1 2016, is expected to contribute to the firm’s performance from H2 2016 in line with current market expectations.

In addition the new services will utilise Cytocentrics CytoPatchTM4 instruments and stably transfected cell lines. The CytoPatchTM4 is an automated patch clamp system which uses a quartz glass pipette analogous to manual patch clamp and allows robust gigaseal recordings.

Another key aspect of our growth strategy is our partnership with Cologne, a German based Axiogenesis firm. Under the new deal, our firm will become the exclusive U.S. distributor of Axiogenesis’ novel cardiomyocyte cell lines and American portal for the company’s other stem cell products.

Through Axiogenesis’ proprietary technology, we can reprogram human skin or blood cells into embryonic-like stem cells. The partnership has the potential to trigger additional economic development opportunities in San Antonio for our firm and we will look into expanding our team as the collaboration grows.

Company: Cytocentrics, Inc. Name: Dr. James Garvin, CEO; Dr. Thomas Knott, CSO Email: j.garvin@cytocentrics.com; t.knott@cytocentrics.com; Web Address: www.cytocentrics.com Address: 3463 Magic Drive, Suite 120 San Antonio, Texas 78229 Telephone: 1-210-767-2727

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The CytoPatch4 is one of the single most important pieces of instrumentation developed for ion channel research

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BI160013

Best for Cancer Patient Custom Therapy Identification

Alacris Theranostics GmbH is a Berlin-based company that teams cutting-edge deep molecular analysis and sophisticated bioinformatics with a revolutionary systems medicine modelling approach (ModCell™), to better match patients to therapies (‘virtual patients’) and therapies to patients (‘virtual clinical trials’).

Human beings are unique, and so are their diseases, often resulting in drastic differences in response to the same therapy. In the case of cancer, the problem is exacerbated by the uniqueness of each individual tumour. Current medical practice fails to recognise this individuality and treats many patients identically, leading to wide variations in response to therapy. A more personalised approach to diagnosing and treating diseases is therefore required, and it is this that Alacris Theranostics aims to provide.

Cancer is a highly complex multifactorial disease that requires a very deep molecular understanding of each patient’s tumour to identify the optimal treatment. Recent advances in next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are providing opportunities for genomic medicine and the promise of personalised medicine to impact clinical practice in oncology. Personalised approaches, based on the characterisation of an individual’s cancer genome through targeted sequencing of candidate genes, singly or in multi-marker tumour panels, believed to provide clinically actionable molecular targets, are providing new hope for focusing treatment strategies. However, such approaches only work for patients who happen to carry the selected markers – typically only a small fraction of patients.

But even among the patients who carry such markers, again only a sub-fraction will respond due to the fact that additional genetic variants which impact drug response are likely to be present in the tumour.

Alacris has therefore developed its Complete Molecular Tumour Analysis (CMTA) service, comprising a deep molecular analysis of both patient and tumour, to provide the treating physician with the optimal information for selecting the right treatment option for their patients. CMTA combines next generation whole exome sequencing (WES) of both tumour and blood samples alongside whole transcriptome analysis of a patient’s tumour. The integrated DNA (exome) and RNA (transcriptome) analyses complement each other and serve as mutual controls to verify potential “actionable variants”. WES of patient blood samples, enables discrimination between genetic changes that originate in the tumour from those in the patient’s

germline (genome), while transcriptome analysis provides important information on the expression of a cancer gene variant, i.e. up or down-regulation or if they are even expressed at all. Transcriptome analysis also detects aberrations in the structure of gene transcripts, such as genes fusions, that are potentially highly actionable but are not detected by WES. Each element of the CMTA is combined to provide specific and essential information that reduces the risk of overlooking cancer-relevant alterations in the tumour, enabling enhanced stratification of patients and treatment guidance.

Results generated, including tumour-specific genetic changes, identified actionable variants and relevant clinical trials, are summarised in an easy-to-follow Patient Report. Alacris’ CMTA service is used by clinicians worldwide, helping to guide and inform treatment decisions for cancer patients.

Alacris’ flagship technology - ModCell™ - enables the simulation of patient responses to drugs in silico, in a rapid, safe and inexpensive manner. Rather than testing novel therapeutic strategies on actual patients, with the associated risks to their health and wellbeing, at Alacris computer models are deployed, based on millions of data points to carry out virtual patient modelling.

ModCell™ combines complex information on signalling pathways, as well as functional, kinetic and drug data from scientific literature and databases to predict drug response. The information can be represented in a network, including cross talk, to provide insight into functional relationships.

Predicting the likely response of a specific patient to different therapies relies on a detailed molecular analysis of the patient’s genome and his/her unique tumour. Complex genome, transcriptome, and other omics data derived from a patient tumour are integrated into the network enabling identification of changes in a tumour that can be directly linked to treatment options.

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By providing the possibility to systematically test the effect of administering hundreds of different drugs or drug combinations in silico, rather than a limited range on the patient directly, ModCell™ helps focus treatment strategy, reducing drug side effects and ultimately increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

In addition, ModCell™ also offers the possibility of streamlining the drug approval pipeline and reducing the associated research and development costs, through implementation of ‘virtual clinical trials’. Within these ‘virtual clinical trials’, ModCell™ facilitates the testing of single or combinatory drug response on large patient groups in the computer before even starting a clinical trial. The patients who are most likely to benefit from a particular drug or drug combinations can be selected, based on biomarkers identified, for inclusion in smaller, less risky, and less-expensive real-life clinical trials. A virtual test bed is also created for assessing the efficacy of existing (drug repurposing) or failed drugs (‘fallen angels’), again providing a cost-effective and low risk approach for further development. Based on private or publically available molecular profiling data sets, in tandem with available information on drug targets and approximate binding constants, in silico testing can be carried out at any stage of the drug development process from drug pre-synthesis to post-selection for clinical development.

Company: Alacris Theranostics GmbH Website: http://www.alacris.de/ Address: Fabeckstraße 60-62 D-14195 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 30 8431-225-0 Email: info@alacris.de

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BI160002

Best Cleanroom Architectural Solutions Provider

DELTA 2000 are a cleanroom construction company specialized in delivering high quality solutions across a variety of sectors including Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Chemical and Medical. We invited Alesssandro Parolini to provide us with a unique insight into the firm and the solutions it provides.

DELTA 2000 focuses on understanding and supporting our clients in order to ensure they receive high quality solutions which are also time saving, as we know from experience that timing is a real issue for our clients.

This client centric approach has led to us operating across the globe, working on projects in the UAE, Tunisia, Portugal, and Italy. By constantly looking at what our clients need and offering reliable, timely solutions we have become a leader in our industry, and regularly showcase our vast product portfolio at trade shows in order to attract clients and highlight our dedication to our work.

Being based in Milan, Italy, offers the firm a number of advantages, as the biotechnical industry in our country is currently very strong but we also have accessible transport throughout Europe and around the world, which allows us to operate on an international scale without relocating.

Ultimately our firm is unique because of our customer focus, and this extends to our corporate culture, which is dedicated to ensuring we keep every promise we make to our clients and provide them with the best possible solution. We are currently able to produce more than 5000sqm/month of high quality partition walls quickly and effiecntly, enabling our clients to

complete their projects on time and providing them with satisfaction, which is our overall aim.

However, it is not just our products which are important to our clients, and therefore aftersales and client care during the project is as important to us as the completion of a project. We have created a strong working team who communicate at every level to ensure that clients always receive the correct information and are supported throughout the project.

Moving forward we are keen to expand our global reach by moving into new countries and forming new partnerships, which will provide us with exciting new opportunities in the future.

Alongside this we are changing the way we work by integrating a new design program into our system, in order to be able to deliver greater quality products and add design services to our portfolio.

Company: DELTA 2000 Name: Alesssandro Parolini Email: info@delta-2000.com Web Address: www.delta-2000.com Address: Via Miles n째 6 Cavenago di Brianza (IT) Telephone: +39 029501688

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BI160003

Best Global Ultrasound & Photoacoustic Systems Developer

FUJIFILM VisualSonics designs and manufactures ultra high frequency in vivo imaging systems, for both research and clinical use. Andrew Needles from the firm provides us with unique insight into its product offerings and the exciting developments the future has in store for the company.

FUJIFILM VisualSonics specifically focuses on developing ultrasound technology that has been scaled to much higher frequencies than commonly found in many of the conventional ultrasound systems on the market today. As a result, our ultrasound platform provides images at resolutions that far exceed any other system available on the market; as fine as 30 micrometers, clearly differentiating our company from our competitors.

We originally introduced our technology in the area of preclinical research, specifically in small animal models of human disease (e.g. mice or rat models). This coincided with the explosion of the human genome project (circa 2000), where numerous genetic models of human disease were developed in small animals.

Study of these disease models benefited from the use of imaging techniques to follow the disease progression in vivo, as opposed to using ex vivo methods such as histology. By using ultra high frequency, researchers were able to use our technology to study their live animals in real-time, longitudinally, and with no issues of safety or side effects.

Our preclinical customers are mostly academic researchers, often involved in the fields of cardiovascular and cancer research. Neurobiology and developmental biology are other key areas that are among an ever growing number of applications. For these customers, funding for purchasing capital equipment comes mainly through grants. Obtaining funding is often a challenge and sources of funding may change from time to time so we constantly need to be aware of these dynamics and help potential customers navigate through this.

Very recently, we launched a new ultra high frequency ultrasound system for clinical use. The clinical space is new to us and therefore we are creating a whole new market, so there is inherent risk here. The challenge is that we are trying to develop this market while learning where to focus our efforts using valuable feedback from our early adopters and a generous amount of our own intuition. This presents a big challenge, but at the same time, is extremely gratifying to be at the forefront of this new field. Initial applications for clinical use of our ultra high frequency ultrasound system includes neonatology and pediatrics, vascular, small parts, MSK (musculoskeletal) and dermatology.

Beyond ultrasound, we have also developed a unique photoacoustic technology to expand on the capabilities of our imaging solutions. Photoacoustics is the combination of optical and acoustic imaging, and provides additional and complementary information to what can be seen with ultrasound alone. Examples of this include assessment of blood oxygenation levels, detection of other tissues such as melanin or lipids, or visualization of optical dyes or contrast agents not detectable with ultrasound.

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Our purpose statement at FUJIFILM VisualSonics is ‘Through bold innovation, we empower those dedicated to the advancement of human health’. This purpose motivates us to develop the highest quality ultra high frequency ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging products.

We achieve this by way of our four brand pillars: Innovation, Collaboration, Expertise and Leadership.

We have a world-class R&D team that stays abreast of disruptive advances in the industry to ensure that we are always ahead of the changes in the market.

Through collaboration, we are highly engaged with our customer base and we depend on their feedback to continually improve our products. By constantly advancing the state of our technology and listening to customer needs, we are able to stay at the forefront of our industry and keep on top of our clients’ ever changing needs.

Our staff consists of a very passionate group of people situated around the globe; a highly skilled and efficient team that takes pride in all of our accomplishments.

A big part of this involves including everyone in the process and making each individual feel that they are contributing to the development of a technology that truly makes a difference. As a firm, we feel a sense of satisfaction that the products we develop ultimately improve human health, and it is this that motivates us to keep excelling in every aspect of our work.

Company: FUJIFILM VisualSonics Contact: Andrew Needles Email: info@visualsonics.com Web Address: www.visualsonics.com, www.vevomd.com Address: 3080 Yonge Street, Suite 6100, Toronto, ON, CANADA M4N3N1 Telephone: 416.484.5000

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BI160011

Recognised Leader in Molecular Diagnostics

Genome Diagnostics Private Limited Genome Diagnostics PVT LTD is an ISO 13485 certified company based in India. We invited Pradeep Singhal to talk us through the firm and its latest projects.

Genome Diagnostics are amongst select few 10 in the world to develop, manufacture real time PCR kits, and are the only molecular diagnostics company in India developing, manufacturing these Hi-Tech products till date with a portfolio of over 100 different assays.

We are market leaders in India and as such we export to several countries. Our major customers include the large hospitals, laboratories and we also export to WHO. The firm has 12 years’ experience in the diagnostics industry with a strong focus on molecular diagnostics which we believe is the most promising and upcoming field in the market.

As a leading innovator, developer and producer of molecular diagnostic assays based on real time PCR, Genome Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. is striving to be world leaders in the market segment.

as a supportive employer and ensure that they remain motivated, through both financial incentives The future is an exciting time for our firm as we look to develop new technologies and constantly innovate in order to maintain our position as a leader in our field.

Company: Genome Diagnostics PVT LTD Name: Pradeep K Singhal Email: dharam@vsnl.com Web Address: www.genomediagnostics.co.in Address: Plot no 7 & 8, 1st floor, Krishna Bhawan, A-3, Local shopping complex, Janakpuri, New delhi-110058 India.

Telephone: 00919810037653

Our mission is to develop, produce the maximum possible assays based on real time PCR, at an affordable price, in order to allow access to this High Tech assays for the poorest countries in the world, leading to improved health care and economy of these regions.

The majority of our products are CE marked. Currently we are developing a new technology for multiplexing which will ensure multiplexing of over may be 100 genes from a single tube.

We are currently working on multiplexing technology for molecular diagnostics which will cut down the cost further by almost 1/10 of the current cost, thus making the technology more accessible.

Our exceptional commitment to our customers, patients and the markets we serve, is the driving force for us, helping us to further innovation and attain leadership in our market. We as an organization value our employee’s commitment, dedication and passion to excel and achieve the goals set by the company. Our employees are the key assets of the organization and we seek to employ honest, dedicated and hardworking people who can deliver with honesty. In return we act

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BI160012

Best Early-Phase Chronic Disease Drug Discovery Company

Medlab Clinical LTD is an ASX listed company specialising in developing new pharma and nutraceuticals for patients with chronic diseases.

We invited Sean Hall to talk us through the firm and its life saving work.

Medlab Clinical (MDC) focuses on three therapeutic areas: • the use of bacteria (probiotics) to ameliorate symptoms and rescue disease states that have an origin in the gastrointestinal tract and innate immunity; • the use of cannabis for the reduction of pain associated with several chronic diseases; • small particle delivery platforms to bypass gastrointestinal dysfunction and first pass metabolism.

Early stage research is commercialised as nutraceuticals, offering revenue to reduce overall cash burn associated with research and development. These nutraceutical offerings are intended for adjuvant clinical application.

Several key members of MDC have had long term exposure to probiotics and delivery platforms, resulting in a multitude of novel therapeutics over time.

These include our most advanced and interesting recent development, the NanoCelle™, small particle delivery platform, with Atorvastatin in human trials, Insulin and Testosterone which are soon to start.

NanoCelle™ has application for oro-buccal delivery, but also in nasal, and topical, and as such we intend to trial through sub-cut delivery later this year.

In addition, an exciting new discovery we have recently made is NanoCelle™ PoC’s for Antibiotics, SSRI, ACEi, Steroids, and Cannabis. PoC work is currently underway for immunosuppressives and PPI’s.

The firm is based in Sydney, Australia, with an office in Orange County, Sth Ca, USA. As for challenges, being headquartered in Sydney means any trade deal we do needs to be campaigned upstream to head office which are northern hemisphere based, this makes the process longer and more expensive.

One key advantage to our location is our governing regulatory body for commercialised therapeutics is the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), who are tough, and therefore if we can satisfy their product audit, we feel we are in a strong position to satisfy other regulatory bodies. TGA generally are well respected internationally which also helps us when selling the product in other countries.

Working across international markets means that we have to work hard to ensure we are always on top of the latest industry trends and developments. We own and operate our own laboratories, which allows us to investigate and research without external interference, which is a key advantage. Alongside this we are prominent as scientific research presenters at strategic global conferences, and thus, provides us with the opportunity to set many of the trends in the industry.

Our presence at global conferences reflects our culture, which is one of collaboration, and in that we affect change. Staff believe in Medlab’s scientific based direction, and see their individual contributions as beneficial to the company. As such MDC operates an ESOP allowing staff to participate in equity share and unite for the greater good.

Because we publish scientific and medical research, and present at local and international conferences, staff are offered opportunities to further their development. MDC also operates an intern program for undergraduates in life-sciences which provides an opportunity for them to be involved with the company to undertake research whilst undertaking PhD programs.

The company currently supports 3 PhD students enrolled with the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School who undertake research within Medlab as well as on the University campus.

Moving forward the firm has a number of exciting plans on the horizon, and if positioned correctly, should become an R&D hub for larger, more established companies. Currently we are keen to grow our nutraceuticals sales globally and enter into a trade agreement for NanoCelle™ with a large pharma in order to build upon the product’s potential.

Ultimately, the firm is only a young company, having been established for around four years and listed publically for just eight months, therefore our focus is to develop and commercialise in order to capitalise on our current success.

Company: Medlab Clinical LTD Name: Sean Hall Email: sean_hall@medlab.co Web Address: www.medlab.co Address: 66 McCauley St, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia Telephone: 1300 369570

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BI160020

Most Innovative Electronic Instrumentation for Neuroscience

Established in 1989, npi electronic GmbH develops and produces measurement equipment for use in the life sciences, specifically physiological and pharmacological pure research. The firm’s CEO Hans Reiner Polder talks us through the business and the techniques it employs to achieve success. npi electronic GmbH was initially developed whilst I was at university, when I developed a new compensating method for intracellular measurement amplifiers, which was used together with control theory approaches to increase the measuring range. During my studies of engineering at the Technical University München I had an intensive interest in biophysics and medical electronics with a focus on electrophysiology. This culminated in a thesis about a single electrode voltage clamp technique and the development of a new amplifier.

On the basis of this process, existing intracellular measurement procedures (one and two microelectrode ”voltage clamp” amplifiers, whole cell “patch clamp” amplifiers and iontophoresis systems) could be improved enormously.

Over the years that followed, a complete appliance portfolio for the registration of bioelectrical signals was developed, expanded by systems for substance applications (superfusion), micromanipulators, recording chambers and supported by a comfortable software for data capture and complete experiment control.

Today the firm’s product and service offering encompasses all sectors of modern research. Development of new measurement processes, planning and equipping of laboratories, custom specific equipping of measurement places as well as training and introduction of the employees are all undertaken by the firm.

Instruments from npi electronic GmbH combine modern electronics and control theory and make them available for researchers in the booming field of life sciences. Our instruments offer speed and precision, with designs that can adapt and expand to the demanding requirements of tomorrow.

Currently the life sciences industry is at the centre of public interest because it is vital to health and wellbeing. Scientists have begun to understand the wonders of the nervous system, as well as other systems such as heart and muscles using increasingly sophisticated tools and techniques. The health care sector is very important and there is a huge number of companies working in this sector.

This provides npi electronic with a number of competitors, which is always a challenge. In order to differentiate ourselves we try to provide instruments with higher resolution, enabling scientists to gain better insights in the function of excitable tissues such as the nervous system or muscles.

In addition, we aim to act not only as suppliers for our scientific customers but partners, contributing to scientific projects and taking actively part on scientific events by organizing workshops and symposia, contributing to teaching events and publishing scientific papers and book chapters. The transfer of know-how between research, development and production is an important part of our work.

As such all of our employees have a strong scientific background and keep up with the developments in research. All employees have access to scientific publications, and we provide internal training to ensure that they are able to provide the best possible assistance to our clients.

These factors are essential to help us to achieve our overall mission: “to make npi electronic not only a supplier but a scientific partner involved in solving the problems scientists have in their daily research.”

Moving forward we are keen to provide the best instruments in the field and be the go-to source of these instruments in the industry. In addition we are keen to form a network of companies dedicated to this goal, and to provide integrated solutions covering different research fields.

Company: npi electronic GmbH, Instruments for the Life Sciences Name: Hans Reiner Polder, CEO Email: support@npielectronic.com Web Address: www.npielectronic.com Address: Bauhofring 16, D-71732 Tamm, Germany Telephone: +49-7141-9730230, Fax +49-7141-9730240

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ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 19

BI160019

Recognised Global Leader in Phytochemistry - Wales

PhytoQuest Limited specialises in the development and commercialisation of novel bioactives from plants in high-margin, value-added applications including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. We invited Dr Robert Nash to talk us through the company and the vital work it undertakes in this field.

PhytoQuest specialises in the identification, elucidation and extraction of the scientific and commercial potential of iminosugars, small carbohydrate-like molecules derived from plants. The company has built a strong portfolio of IP relating to iminosugars, with a particular focus on their bioactive properties and supporting methods for their identification, extraction and manufacture.

This research is critical because carbohydrates have crucial roles within the body related to immune function, cell-cell interactions, signalling and are strongly regulated in healthy individuals. Aberrations in carbohydrates occur in most disease states. While the great opportunities of carbohydrate-related medicines have been recognised for many years, the difficulties in analysis, isolation, synthesis and the complexity of the biology have slowed new developments. However the latest generation of iminosugars provide highly specific modifiers of carbohydrate-related disorders and open up exciting new opportunities for research in this area.

As such, PhytoQuest has been working hard to understand this area and build upon our knowledge.

Recently the company has been focusing on development of an orally available Th-1 immune priming iminosugar, also an anti-inflammatory that directly reduces TNF-alpha and new molecules that can regulate blood sugar via novel mechanisms.

Our work in this area has provided us with a unique insight into this particular field of research. The discovery of new bioactive molecules from natural sources has suffered in the past from the focus on combinatorial chemistry and the use of bioactivity-guided fractionation. There are many components produced by plants and micro-organisms that were missed due to the preference for the use of organic solvents, fractionation processes used or the highly selective in vitro assays not recognising in vivo potential.

Most herbal medicines were traditionally prepared in hot water and yet aqueous solvents were rarely used, even though the greatest diversity of bioactive plant components are water-soluble.

Therefore the demand for new high quality leads for Pharma companies can be met by natural products but they need to be discovered using improved methods and not eliminating small water-soluble compounds that can interact with novel receptors and often have high oral availability by utilising active transport systems.

Ultimately PhytoQuest aims to dominate the iminosugar field based on the experience of our team and the use of the best technology, both of which are key factors in the success of any project in this area.

Our staff are a key asset, and as such we like to ensure that they are able to expand their interest and grow their knowledge whilst working for the firm.

Therefore they are encouraged to input ideas and interests of their own on clinically relevant plant uses where the published chemistry and biology seems weak, and these projects are then reviewed and selected for their own exploratory R&D projects.

It is these motivated and talented staff, alongside our top quality technology, that have made the firm a world leader in discovery of iminosugars from plants. The health-promoting compounds in many fruits, vegetables and herbal medicines have been difficult to define in many cases and bandwagons such as anti-oxidants have misdirected many companies and consumers.

PhytoQuest believes the iminosugars, which are usually missed in routine analysis of other plant constituents, are often the elusive active compounds. Plants have been the source of many important medicines in the past and the iminosugars now provide many new molecules with IP potential.

Moving forward the firm intends to grow as a business in order to explore this exciting potential. PhytoQuest has been exclusively a Pharma discovery and Development Company to date, but the company is now entering an exciting new phase of producing ingredients and finished products for cosmetic, food supplement and food use utilising the IP and knowhow developed over the last 17 years. This new retail business will help to subsidise the Pharma development business interests.

20 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016

Company: PhytoQuest Limited Name: Dr Robert J. Nash Email: robert.nash@phytoquest.co.uk Web Address: www.phytoquest.co.uk Address: Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth SY23 3EB Telephone: +44 1970 823200

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 21

BI160019

Best Amino Acid Analytical Laboratory

AminoAcids.com, founded October 1994, is the leader in Amino Acids, B-Vitamins, & Lipids/Fatty Acids analysis. We invited Frank N. Konstantinides to provide us with an insight into the company and the quality services it provides.

AminoAcids.com provides analytical expertise, knowledge, and technologies to help our clients optimize their R&D and manufacturing campaigns. Our Amino Acids assays help our clients; whether their products are cell culture media or protein-based food products, to optimize the final result of their manufacturing efforts. As the company’s Founder I draw on my previous experience, having gleaned much knowledge early in my career as a Clinical Nutritional Researcher.

Over time this expertise helped me to hone and develop my analytical skills with post-column derivatization amino acids analysers culminating in the state-of-the art assays offered by AminoAcids.com today.

Offering such a high level of expertise and knowledge enables us to work with some of the very best companies in the industry, and many of the firms utilizing our services are among the leaders in various pharmaceutical and food manufacturing industries. We work closely with our clients to ensure we are meeting their present needs and work with them to assess what their future analytical needs may be. In addition, our scientists are proactively assessing new assays and analytical equipment in order to stay ahead of the industry.

Our 2012 Business plan predicted 100% growth in staff and 65% increase in revenue by 2016. We have

already accomplished these goals, and as such we are now writing our 2020 Business Plan with very similar growth objectives in order to continue to provide excellent quality services and increasing innovation in the future. Current projects we are undertaking include the development of faster assays to handle the increasing demand for RUSH Turnaround Time, which is a feature that many of our clients require to help meet their deadlines.

Additionally, later this year we are moving to a larger facility which will enable the firm to grow and accomplish more, which is an exciting step. Overall I am very optimistic about the future for AminoAcids.com, and would like to thank our team, who have been an integral part of our success so far, and will doubtless be key to our future growth.

Company: AminoAcids.com Name: Frank N. Konstantinides Email: jeff@aminoacids.com or Frank@aminoacids.com Web Address: www.aminoacids.com Address: 1769 Lexington Ave. N., Suite 321, St. Paul, MN 55113 Telephone: 651-489-8939

22 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016

BI160014

Most Innovative Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Kits

Analytik Jena’s Life Science Business Unit provides specialized instruments, kits, and consumables for molecular diagnostics, a key technology sector. Ute Hofmann talks us through the services the unit provides in this area.

The products and services produced by Analytik Jena’s Life Science Business Unit are geared toward providing high-quality reproducible laboratory results.

We provide support for the entire process of daily molecular biological lab work, including manual and fully automated nucleic acid extraction, fast and precise liquid handling and robotic systems, gel documentation, high-class standard and real-time thermal cyclers, and a variety of molecular detection tools.

The rise of molecular biology has revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in many clinical areas, such as sexually transmitted and infectious diseases. Modern testing methods offer numerous advantages over traditional methods in terms of sensitivity and specificity and feature an improved diagnostic output. There is no longer a need to compromise on speed and accuracy. It is therefore our current mission to combine the advantages of molecular testing with the efficiency of automated systems to tailor to the individual therapeutic needs of patients.

tified kit to the market. The kit applies the first WHO standard for molecular diagnostic quantification of HDV RNA, constituting a major new milestone in the standardization of HDV nucleic acid amplification tests worldwide. The RoboGene® HDV RNA Quantification Kit 2.0, a one-step real-time PCR kit, is an ideal tool for HDV infection management, expanding the limits of the laboratory analysis of different types of hepatitis.

Ultimately it is better to be sure and our precise, reliable technologies ensure certainty.

Company: Analytik Jena AG Email: lifescience@analytik-jena.com Web Address: www.analytik-jena.com Address: Konrad-Zuse-Straße 1, 07745 Jena, Germany

To achieve this mission our customers’ satisfaction is our highest priority, whether with regard to the further development of our product portfolio, issues relating to our strategic orientation, or with a view to service and support.

The detection of hepatitis D virus (HDV) is one example of the many benefits of Analytik Jena technologies.

The HDV causes fulminant hepatitis and increases the severity of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV represents a major life-threatening health risk in certain parts of the world, and always occurs in the presence of a co‑existing HBV infection.

Despite millions of HBV cases around the world, many of the major needs presented by HDV remain unmet.

Hepatitis infections urgently need to be confirmed and the viral load monitored to safeguard the treatment undergone by individual patients.

As a unit we have been building on our expertise in hepatitis B and C diagnosis for many years, and are now very proud to bring the world’s first CE-IVD cer-

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 23

BI160010

Best Life Sciences Research Tool Provider

BioVision Inc, is a privately held Life Science company producing a wide variety of products for Life Science Researchers across the healthcare sector. We invited Archana Gangakhedkar, Sr. Marketing Manager, who talks us through this dynamic and innovative company.

BioVision develops and offers a wide variety of products and new research tools for studying Apoptosis, Metabolism, Cell Proliferation, Cellular Stress, Cell Damage and Repair, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome, Stem Cell Biology, Gene Regulation, Signal Transduction and many more.

BioVision aims to provide innovative, high quality assay kits, recombinant proteins, antibodies and other research tools to accelerate drug discovery in areas like cancer, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease etc. To achieve these goals we employ a well-defined core strategy and a company culture that fosters integrity, customer focus, openness, collaboration, innovation and ownership.

Our overall focus is to come up with innovative, quality research tools to accelerate new research for the treatment of chronic and dreadful diseases including diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s etc. It is this dedication that has seen our products sold in more than 70 countries worldwide and used by Pharmaceutical, Biotech and hospital scientists as well as research organizations.

The opportunities of disruptive innovations are hard to ignore in biopharmaceuticals such as stem cell therapies, immunotherapies, and antibody drug conjugates etc. The industry is growing rapidly and it is exciting to see that this growth is expected to continue in foreseeable future.

With increasing understanding of biochemistry and genetic makeup we have the opportunity to be innovative with a variety of research tools to facilitate and accelerate drug discovery and biopharmaceutical research.

Customer satisfaction is topmost priority for BioVision and our prime focus will be to continue supplying high quality products that are affordable and time saving rapid result oriented innovative research tools.

To achieve this we have to make sure we are on top of cutting edge of technological innovation and developments in our industry. We will achieve this by making use of key scientific meetings and conferences, major scientific publications, etc. In addition, we will actively seek to license unique technologies or products to keep ahead of our competition.

Moving forward we are keen to continue investing in new technologies and products, in order to become one of the major players in providing tools to accelerate drug discovery.

Company: BioVision Inc Name: Archana Gangakhedkar Email: marketing@biovision.com Web Address: www.biovision.com Address: 155 South Milpitas Blvd, Milpitas, CA, USA-95035 Telephone: 1-408-493-1800

24 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016

BI160017

Recognised Leader in Basic Medical Sciences - Turkey

Prof. Dr. Behice Durgun, PhD has served the Department of Anatomy in the Faculty of Medicine at Çukurova University since 1980.

We speak to Behice and gain a fascinating insight into her research.

My specific research focus is on anatomy, with my overall mission being to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge and contribute to health and well-being now and for future generations by providing the best teaching to every student wholeheartedly, by investigating health problems through integrated clinical practice, education and research and by sharing new knowledge with my colleagues.

Moving forward there are many exciting opportunities ahead of me, not only in healthcare but also in engineering with technological and scientific developments. Therefore as an anatomist, I want to broaden my horizon from the gross and molecular structure of human to the engineering, as I believe it is time to make research integrating medicine to engineering.

My career in this area began when I received MSc degree with my thesis titled “The plastination of the kidney at the various stage of dissection” in 1985 and PhD degree with my thesis titled “Rapid fixation and attended problems” in 1988. I continued my postdoctorate study with the project titled “The effects of mercaptoethanol-formaldehyde on tissue fixation and protein retention” as visiting scientist and project manager at the Department of Pathology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK, in 1991.

Company: Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy Name: Behice Durgun Email: bdurgun@cu.edu.tr Address: Çukurova University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anatomy, 01330, Adana/TURKEY

These three studies connect the anatomy not only to its related medical disciplines but to the chemistry, physicochemistry, biotechnology and molecular biology. In addition to these areas I also focused on kinesiological anatomy, with an emphasis on anthropometry, sports, neurokinesiology, biomechanical modeling, ergonomics, device design and biomedical engineering.

In my Msc thesis, the plastination was succeeded at first in Turkey. The plastination solution was different from that of Gunther von Hagens (who discovered plastination at first in the world) and patented by Turkish Patent Institute. In my doctorate thesis, the mercaptoethanol-formaldehyde was used for gross tissue fixation at first in the world. I scrutinized the effects of mercaptoethanol-formaldehyde on protein retention as postdoctorate project. Mercaptoethanol-formaldehyde and β-mercaptoethanol have been using as a fixator for molecular level (for RNA, DNA and anticors) after the publication of this project’s results. Detailed knowledge of protein networks is required in order to better understand diseases and develop adequate treatments.

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 25

BI160022

Best Microfluidic Drug Discovery Platform: CyclOPs™

Cyclofluidic is using CyclOps™, its proprietary microfluidic drug discovery platform, to revolutionise hit and lead optimisation. We spoke to Dave Parry about the firm and the revolutionary technology it uses to stay at the forefront of the biotechnology industry.

Established in 2008, Cyclofluidic was formed by two large pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and UCB alongside funding from InnovateUK with the aim to develop an innovative microfluidic closed loop approach to accelerate small molecule drug discovery. Cyclofluidic spent the first 4 years undertaking an intensive research program to develop and bench mark the concept delivering the CyclOps platform, the first fully integrated platform for compound synthesis, analysis, purification and biological assays for small molecule drug discovery. The inclusion of compound design algorithms enables fully automated structure activity relationship generation, including multi-parameter optimisation, whilst still allowing the intervention of medicinal chemists to guide the science. The last three years has seen the focus shift to working with a range of collaborators to accelerate their projects.

synthesis and analytical chemistry developed as part of the CyclOps platform can be combined with the machine learning algorithm to enable rapid automated reaction optimisation. We refer to this internally as CyclOpsRO, the key hardware and software integration has already been demonstrated and we would be pleased to talk to additional partners who would like to help us apply our capabilities to this rapidly developing area of synthesis.

We have worked with a wide range of organisations from small biotech to large multinational pharmaceutical companies and also what we refer to as the not for profit sector, organisations such as MRCT. This has involved quite a geographic spread too including UK, mainland Europe and the USA. Working with this range of collaborators provides great feedback on our capabilities and also provides useful insights into the differing types of drug discovery organisations.

Company: Cyclofluidic Ltd Name: David M Parry Email: info@cyclofluidic.co.uk Web Address: www.cyclofluidic.co.uk Address: BioPark, Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 3AX

Longer term we would like to be able to apply CyclOps and our considerable expertise to in house discovery projects which will further demonstrate the potential of our approach. To achieve this will require refinancing the company; a great opportunity to grow the business and increase value.

Through these collaborations we have been able to help improve the efficiency of the early stages in the discovery process, which is essential for the delivery of innovative new medicines and moving forward we will continue to look for opportunities to improve our capabilities and offer them through collaboration.

However, it is not only these external collaborations which have contributed to our success. Ultimately our success is founded on our great team of talented staff, who are all focused on our objectives and dedicated to innovation.

Overall our current focus is firmly on delivering value to our collaborators and to grow the business. Looking into the future we see additional opportunities for the expertise we have developed; the integration of flow

26 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016

BI160004

Best for Advanced Dental Treatments - UK

Established in 2008 Exceldent is dedicated to delivering excellent dental services which patients can trust. We spoke to Dr Tobias Kounsul about how the practice is achieving this.

Based in London, Exceldent is a multi award winning dental practice which is not just dedicated top quality dental services, but ensuring that clients feel fully supported through every step of their treatment.

Our approach to patients revolves around feedback, listeninging to them, offering them all of the options available and then helping them to make the right decision on what treatment they wish to proceed with.

This approach has provided the clinic with the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients from all walks of life, with many of clients travelling from Europe or even further afield to experience our top quality service. We have been fortunate enough to work with minor Royalty in the past, as well as Ambassadors and top business executives.

The dental industry in the UK is currently undergoing a number of changes, including a drive towards digital treatments. To stay ahead of the changes we constantly update our protocols and knowledge on dental meetings, direct contact with leading manufacturers or direct involvement in the devlopment and testing of new products.

In addition, within the dental market there is a tendency for dental practices to view their service as a business, treating patients as clients. However, here at Exceldent we are trying to change this, both through our own work supporting our clients and communicating with them, as well as through wider industry education, supporting our peers in the dentistry market to ensure that they offer their clients a service which they can trust.

Moving forward we are keen to expand as a business, whilst at the same time retaining the level of care and reputation for trustworthiness which defines our business.

Company: Exceldent Address: 22 Seymour Street W1H 7HY London United Kingdom Phone: (+44) 207 724 3742 Fax: (+44) 297 724 374 Email: info@exceldent.co Website: http://exceldent.co/

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 27

BI160007

Innovation Award for Diabetes Treatment Product: ITCA 650

Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc., is a rapidly emerging biopharmaceutical company committed to developing innovative therapies that merge medicine with technology, and have the potential to transform therapeutic categories.

We profile the firm’s latest product, ITCA 650, which has the potential to revolutionise diabetes treatment.

Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing therapies to enhance treatment outcomes by optimizing and improving the efficacy, continuous administration and tolerability of drug therapies.

By delivering medicines just once or twice yearly the firm has the potential to improve outcomes by ensuring improved patient adherence and compliance, which is very poor in most chronic diseases.

Intarcia’s drug development expertise and competitive edge are demonstrated by its abilities to stabilize proteins and peptides at above-body temperature and to deliver them in a constant and consistent manner via Intarcia’s proprietary technology platform.

The company is currently developing ITCA 650, a continuous subcutaneous delivery of exenatide, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The investigational therapy employs Intarcia’s proprietary technology platform: an osmotic mini-pump that is placed sub-dermally to provide continuous and consistent drug therapy, and the company’s proprietary formulation technology, which maintains stability of therapeutic peptides above human body temperature for extended periods of time.

Exenatide, the active agent in ITCA 650, is a glucagon-like peptide-1, (GLP-1) receptor agonist that is currently marketed globally as twice-daily and once-weekly self-injection therapies for type 2 diabetes.

When approved, ITCA 650 will be the first injection-free GLP-1 therapy that can deliver up to a full year of treatment from a single placement of the osmotic mini-pump. ITCA 650 is currently being evaluated in the FREEDOM global Phase 3 clinical trial program. The first three FREEDOM trials have been successfully completed and the the latest, FREEDOM 2, demonstrated head-to-head superiority in glucose control after 52 weeks over the market-leading oral therapy, Januvia® (sitagliptin). The FREEDOM CVO trial began close out procedures in 4Q15, after reaching the target number of major cardiovascular events.

Intarcia expects to have top-line results for FREEDOM CVO in 2Q 2016.

Moving forward, Intarcia will continue to conduct research and development, utilizing its platform technology to treat other serious chronic disorders in the field of diabetes and obesity.

Company: Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc Website: www.intarcia.com Address: Intarcia Therapeutics, Inc. 155 Seaport Boulevard, 11th Floor Boston, MA 02210 Phone: (617) 936-2500

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BI160009

Best Global Medical Products Provider

Medline is a privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies who delivers a robust product portfolio and patient-care solutions to help healthcare providers perform at their very best. We had the opportunity to catch up with representatives of the company, who provided more insights into their award winning manufacturing operation.

The headquarters is located in Arnhem, the Netherlands and is home to the executive team for Europe, including key functions like human resources, sales, finance and marketing. We are a leading provider of sterile procedure trays, surgical gloves, exam gloves, drapes and gowns and many more products in the market. Across Europe we hold 9 offices, 3 manufacturing centres and 4 distribution centres located in Germany, France, Ireland and Spain.

We use our global reach to provide direct solutions to the healthcare market across Europe. Medline goes to market throughout Europe with over 180 sales representatives. The sales team is supported by a team of product specialists, product managers and customer service teams. Overall Medline employs more than 800 passionate people throughout Europe.

With a mission to provide quality medical products with superior value to healthcare providers and end users, improving patient care and enhancing the quality of peoples’ lives and a vision to lead our industry with the most cost-effective products and valuable clinical solutions for care providers and those they serve, while improving quality and effectiveness in every area of our operation, Medline works to constantly launch new products and are always looking out to find the best solutions for our customers and deliver them in the best way possible.

employees. Everyone is encouraged to consider and take advantage of others’ opinions, especially when they are different or new opinions. Innovative ideas and creative solutions are essential for our company to succeed.

We behave in a way that shows respect for the individual needs and interests, personal differences as well as employees’ diversity and all those who we are in contact with during our assignment.

Moving forward, Medline will continue to launch products on a continuous basis to bring the best solutions to our customers.

Company: Medline Industries Ltd Web Address: www.medline.com/uk Telephone: 0844 334 5237

At Medline, we believe that our teams are the key to our success. Without their daily dedication we could not consider a future in line with our ambitions. As a company, we are committed to treating all our employees with dignity and respect. Medline has been devoted for many years to promote a workplace that values the dignity of all members of staff within the organisation.

Cooperation and participation of each employee at Medline are essential in maintaining an environment which favours productivity, growth and development.

We believe that it is the responsibility of each of us to maintain a workplace that reflects mutual respect and we encourage open communication among our

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 29

BI160018

Most Innovative Skin Care & Nutrition Product Manufacturer & Recognised Global Leaders in Anti-Aging Genetics

Nu Skin® Enterprises, Inc. demonstrates its tradition of innovation through its comprehensive anti-ageing product portfolio, independent business opportunity and corporate social responsibility initiatives. We caught up with Nu Skin, and they talked us through the firm’s service and the dedication to innovation that has propelled the firm to success.

Since 1984, Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.’s scientific leadership in both personal care and nutrition has distinguished itself beyond its multi-billion dollar revenues with product innovation in the anti-ageing industry. More than 200 premium-quality products in both the personal care and nutritional supplement categories are marketed in over 50 markets around the world, supported by Nu Skin’s global research and development department.

establishes the principles that guide our conduct with respect to fellow employees, the company, our directors, our distributors, other businesses, governments, local communities, and our shareholders. Each employee—in every position, in every country—has a responsibility to uphold and abide by these principles.

As a business we believe that R&D is critically important to innovation. The R&D department’s execution and production directly impacts company and industry performance as it serves as a guidepost for strategic decisions, provides a common data set of scientific innovation of which to draw from, imparts industry benchmarks, and supports understanding and trust of Nu Skin’s industry leading anti-ageing products.

In addition we offer a vast product range which highlights our commitment to innovation. The range features the ageLOC® line of products, including ageLOC® Transformation daily skin care system and ageLOC® Tru Face® Essence Ultra firming serum, the TR90® weight management and the R2 nutritional supplement. And most recently, the ageLOC Me® Skin Care System, an entirely new approach to anti-ageing skin care where our customers with the help of a device and a skin assessment app can customise their own regimen of products out of approx. 2000 combinations.

Our mission is to be a force for good throughout the world by empowering people to improve lives with innovative products, rewarding business opportunities and an enriching, and uplifting culture. In order to achieve this we have a vision to become the world’s leading direct selling company by generating more income for distributors than any other company.

As a company Nu Skin builds towards the future every day with state-of-the-art laboratories, innovation centres, and a strong base of competent scientists around the world. Numerous of new product releases are planned in the future which will help us to achieve our goals and change both our clients’ lives and our marketplace for the better.

As part of our commitment to improving lives, we strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The Nu Skin Code of Conduct

Company: Nu Skin Web Address: www.nuskin.com

30 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016

BI160023

Best for Biomechanical Assessments & Orthotic Services - North West

Premier Clinic Ltd Premier Clinic Ltd is a multi-disciplined clinic offering a range of services including podiatry, physiotherapy, and sports injury rehabilitation, remedial massages and biomechanical assessments. We invited Shaun Kelly to talk us through the company and the services provided.

Premier Clinic Ltd cater for all age ranges within the clinic and see clients with minor issues to major complicated issues with an excellent referral pathway to various consultants. Working as a team we cater for both an individual’s needs and the needs/requirements of other companies.

Our specific focus is to provide a premier service in all aspects of clinical care. From a sporting aspect we have worked hard at creating a complete flow through from assessment to treatment to analysis for orthotic control, and research has always been part of our process to ensure we offer the highest quality and service to all clients.

This focus on superior client care helps us to achieve our mission: to be a company that offers a premier service for a reasonable cost. We strive to educate all our clients in self-management strategies and will continue to drive the business forward through knowledge and education.

Being unique is exceptionally important for us as the orthotic industry is a saturated market. Alongside being a one stop centre for all our client’s health needs, we also ensure that we remain at the top of our industry. We invest heavily in products, materials and

analysis equipment, the latest investment is the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill. Outside influences that can create challenges are costs and to this end we aim to deliver to the client an excellent service/product at a fair price. The problem we see regularly is clients that have previously had orthotics, paid heavily for them and are shown to be either inadequate for their problem or of a substandard material.

Alongside this, the future for Premier Clinic Ltd is to develop as a business so that we can accept referrals from GPs direct via the NHS referral pathways. This is a challenging area and we continue to work on this project. We are also looking at future research projects with the use of orthotics in various conditions in order to better support our clients.

Company: Premier Clinic Ltd Address: Suite 10 Unit B2 Cobham Estate, Wilkinson Way, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB1 2EE Phone: 01254 677341 Email: info@premier-clinic.co.uk Website: http://www.premier-clinic.co.uk/ www.facebook.com/Premierclinicservices

ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016 | 31

BI160006

Best Company for Life Sciences R&D Applications – UK

Sphere Fluidics (SF) is an established, Life Sciences Tools company providing unique R&D collaborative services and commercialising single cell analysis systems for therapeutic discovery. We spoke to Frank Craig from the firm about its work and how it came to reach this level of success.

SF is focussing on commercialising single cell analysis systems for therapeutic discovery. A mixture of inhouse experience, detailed primary market research with over 35 organisations worldwide and help from external objective consultants identified key markets and applications for SF’s technology that included: • Biotherapeutic discovery, development and production.

• Synthetic biology.

• Cell therapy engineering, analysis and isolation.

• Single cell disease research.

• Single cancer cell diagnostics and prognostics.

In order to achieve this SF is applying its technology to major segments of the Life Sciences market, with a particular focus on Biopharmaceutical discovery and development. The company has successfully collaborated with five of the world’s Top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the past.

The firm has also developed a world-class patent portfolio of 54 patents, has freedom-to-operate in its chosen markets and has identified novel products in markets worth over £1 billion per annum. The company is led by experienced, entrepreneurial executives and hires talented staff for product development and global selling in order to build upon its current success.

Cyto-Mine® will be the world’s first fully-automated and integrated single cell analysis and monoclonality assurance system. This product is transformational for biopharmaceutical discovery and development.

We estimate that there are around 2,000 potential organisations that could buy Cyto-Mine®.

In addition, the company is now internationalising and aims to create subsidiaries or joint ventures in Japan and the USA later this year. From our UK and new international offices we plan to sell these systems and accelerate our plans to become a rapidly-growing and globally successful business. That will enable us to be more globally competitive but maintain regional understanding of our key markets.

Company: Sphere Fluidics Limited.

Name: Dr Frank F. Craig.

Email: Frank.Craig@spherefluidics.com Web Address: http://www.spherefluidics.com Address: The Jonas Webb Building, Babraham Research Campus, Babraham, Cambridge CB22 3AT, UK Telephone: 01223 804201

Working within a competitive industry the firm understands the need to stand out, which it achieves through utilising its unique “skill set” of biopharmaceutical market know-how, technology, patent portfolio and freedom-to-operate. Unlike some other potential competitors, SF is well-funded (we raised circa another £5 million in investment in Feb 2016) and is establishing international bases in both the USA and Japan. Also, in its sector, SF will be the “first company to market” with a lead time of 2-3 years over any emerging competition.

Overall 2016 will be an exciting year for us. We have just raised around new £5 million in investment.

This will help us complete product development and launch the Cyto-Mine® system in Q4 later this year.

32 | ghp Biotechnology Awards 2016