EpiStem, one of the country’s leading adult stem cell companies, was recognised as the Biotechnology Company of the Year at the recent Northwest Biotechnology Awards organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The award sponsored by AstraZeneca, was given to EpiStem against very stiff competition from other established biotechnology companies in the Northwest region.

EpiStem apply their world leading knowledge of adult stem cell biology to finding new therapies for some of the most intractable diseases ranging from cancer, mucositis, inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. The Company recently raised £1.72 million through a Private Placing by Zeus Capital. This will be used to support the Novel Therapies Division and secure the portfolio of Intellectual Property EpiStem has over key genes which regulate adult epithelial stem cells.

The region’s most prestigious awards ceremony was introduced by Dr Linda Magee, Head of Bionow, with the help of Dr Kevin Cox of Avecia Biotechnology, who was recently appointed as Chairman of the Bionow Steering Committee and who also chaired the judging panel.

Dr Linda Magee, Head of Bionow, NWDA, said:

“I was extremely pleased to present the 4th annual Northwest Biotechnology Awards, which recognise excellence generated in the Northwest within the biotechnology industry. The Northwest is home to Europe’s most concentrated centre for in-market supply of biologics and the UK’s leading region for pharmaceutical exports as well as being one of the top three bioscience clusters in the UK and employs more than 20,000 people.”

Professor Chris Potten, the Chief Scientific Officer of EpiStem responded: “The team is thrilled that such a distinguished judging panel has made us Biotechnology Company of the Year, which recognises the success of the founding team in turning an academic programme into an exciting commercial opportunity for developing an entirely new generation of drugs for the most intractable and poorly treated diseases afflicting mankind.”

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