Five University of Edinburgh companies and academics have been announced as 2024 finalists in Scotland’s Life Sciences Awards.
The awards ceremony celebrates the leading players in Scotland’s vibrant life sciences industry and recognises the individuals and organisations who have contributed most to the sector in the last 12 months.
Dr Stephen Myatt, CEO of immuno-oncology spinout Macomics, is a finalist in the Business Leadership Award category. Macomics was founded in 2018 by two University of Edinburgh academics: Professor Jeffrey Pollard, former Director of the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, who sadly died of cancer in May 2023, and immunologist Dr Luca Cassetta. Macomics is developing novel therapeutics to modulate the activity of macrophages, to increase the body’s immune defence against tumours in cancer sufferers.
Professor Craig Ritchie, CEO and founder of research organisation Scottish Brain Sciences, as well as honorary chair of Psychiatry of Ageing and Director of the Centre for Dementia Prevention at the University of Edinburgh, is named as a Rising Star: Extraordinary Talent.
A winner last year, regenerative medicine company Roslin CT (pictured above), is up for the Innovation in Pharm Services and Drug Discovery award. The company, which span out of the Roslin Institute in 2006, develops and manufactures cell therapies that can treat cancer and genetic disorders.
Another Roslin startup, Aquanzo, which is pioneering marine protein farming that does not harm the ocean’s ecosystem under CEO Dr. Rémi Gratacap, is an Innovation finalist in the Animal Health, Agritech and Aquaculture category.
And up for the Sustainability award is Carbogenics, which spun out of the School of Geosciences in 2016 with its CreChar® product - a carbon-rich, porous material that uses natural biological processes to break down organic waste, and will help stabilise the performance of anaerobic digestion plants.
Dr Susan Bodie, Head of Business Development for the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at Edinburgh Innovations, said:
The Scottish life sciences sector is world-leading in areas such as regenerative medicine and sustainability, with academics and companies combining research expertise with cutting-edge data and technical facilities, and commercialisation support. At Edinburgh Innovations, we look forward to continuing to support them on their journey towards transforming lives. ”
Scotland’s Life Sciences Annual Awards and Dinner will take place on Thursday 14th March at the Hilton Glasgow.
