Tuesday 17 July 2007
Two spin-out companies from The Institute of Cancer Research, Domainex Ltd and PIramed Pharma, have won awards for innovation at the UK BioEntrepreneurial Company of the Year Awards 2007, held on 4th July.
Domainex Ltd won the 'Innovation in Enabling Biotechnology Award' for its commitment to research to develop new technologies that facilitate drug discovery and development, and PIramed Pharma won the 'Innovation in Drug Discovery and Development Award' for its contribution to the development of innovative new medicines.
The UK BioEntrepreneurial Company of the Year Awards is run by the UK Trade and Investment to recognise innovation and entrepreneurship in the biotechnology industry. More than 20 companies were nominated for the awards, which were judged by a panel of industry experts. The prizes for Domainex Ltd and PIramed Pharma made up two of the total three awards given at the event.
Domainex, a spin-out from The Institute of Cancer Research, Birkbeck College and University College London, provides unique medicinal chemistry and molecular biology support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. It was co-founded by Professor Laurence Pearl and Dr Chris Prodromou from The Institute.
PIramed, a spin-out from The Institute, the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and Cancer Research Technology Ltd, is a UK-based drug discovery company focused on the research and development of targeted therapies for cancer and immune-inflammatory diseases. It was co-founded by Professor Paul Workman at The Institute.
Dr Sue Bright, Director of The Institute’s Enterprise Unit which is responsible for the formation and support of spin-out companies, said: "We are delighted that Domainex and PIramed have been selected for these prestigious awards. It is a testament to the ground-breaking and innovative work being undertaken at both companies. The success of these two spin-outs working in very different areas illustrates the strength and diversity of research at The Institute."
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For further information please contact:
Nadia Ramsey
The Institute of Cancer Research
0207 153 5380
[email protected]
Notes to editor:
About The Institute of Cancer Research
- The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe’s leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. Website at: www.icr.ac.uk
- The Institute of Cancer Research’s Enterprise Unit was established in November 2000 to protect and exploit, for the benefit of patients, the Institute’s Intellectual Property. The Enterprise Unit is focused towards the Institute's mission to relieve human suffering. This is achieved in many cases by collaborating or licensing to commercial partners who can provide the resources to get products to market.