The Reward of Awards for Aberdeen Based Life Sciences Company

Following the launch of the eighth annual Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise in early February, forward thinking businesses throughout the north east will be planning their entries to battle it out for a finalist slot in the prestigious competition which recognises hard graft and success in the region's business world.

The Awards are run by Enterprise North East Trust (ENET), which delivers Business Gateway services in Aberdeen City and Shire on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Grampian.

Dr Deborah O'Neil's company, NovaBiotics Limited, was the winner of last year's Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation. The Aberdeen-based life sciences company has developed novel anti-infective technology which can be applied for the treatment of a range of fungal and bacterial conditions.

As Chief Executive & Scientific Officer at NovaBiotics Limited, Deborah talks about the benefits last year's awards success has brought to her company.

"Following start up in 2004, NovaBiotics has had another successful year of growth, and winning the Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation at last year's Grampian Awards has played an important role in this development. The experience proved a great boost for the entire team and was happy recognition of how we have developed as the youngest life sciences company in Aberdeen, in such a short time.

"Winning has also helped to raise our profile in the industry; in spite of tough market conditions, the business completed a second, private placing, funding round, and our lead product for the treatment of nail fungus will enter the clinic early this year."

The company, which has received a wide range of support from Scottish Enterprise Grampian, including product development, recruitment and training, moved into larger, state-of-the-art premises in the centre of Aberdeen in January 2006. The forthcoming year holds equally ambitious plans, as Deborah outlines: "NovaBiotics intends to float on AIM, the world's leading growth market, in the near future and is currently undergoing discussions with potential licensing partners for a number of compounds."

"The Grampian Awards are a firmly established and essential part of the business landscape of the north east of Scotland," continues Deborah. "Acknowledging ambition, motivation and drive in business, they are a key factor in encouraging the continued start up and growth of local businesses, an economic feature that is already very much alive and well in this region."

The awards recognise and reward business distinction in companies of all sizes across the north east of Scotland, and are open to small and medium enterprises.

The first stage of entry involves downloading a short application form from the Awards website www.grampianawards.com. These entries will be assessed by an expert judging panel and successful candidates will go through to the second stage. Successful entries in the second stage will be asked to prepare a more detailed submission and finalists will then be chosen and invited to present their entry to the panel in more detail.

Chris Travis, chief executive of ENET, said: "A recorded increase in entry numbers last year was very satisfying indeed. Every year, the applications we receive are a reflection of the quality and enterprising spirit of new and current businesses in the north east of Scotland. The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are distinctive because they allow even the smallest businesses to compete on the same level as established businesses which employ hundreds of staff. Starting a business takes courage, determination and a passion to succeed. Winners at the Awards this year will no doubt possess all of these qualities and more, and I'm sure will ultimately prove integral to the continued economic prosperity of the region.''

The Awards are sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland and Business Gateway. Stuart Heslop, director of commercial banking Aberdeen, for The Royal Bank of Scotland says: "Working with businesses on a daily basis at the Royal Bank of Scotland means that we regularly encounter ambitious entrepreneurs determined to get their business off the ground, no matter what it takes. Rewarding those that make an economic difference to the region. The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise are the ideal way in which to recognise such bold, enterprising types. Having been a proud sponsor of the Awards for the last five years, the Royal Bank of Scotland is very happy to be continuing this support for a sixth year."

Scottish Enterprise Grampian finance and competitive business director Colin Donald said: "The increasing number of established businesses in the north-east of Scotland every year is a firm reflection of the fact that enterprise culture is thriving in this area. The Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise offer businesses in the region a prime opportunity to secure recognition on a wider scale and promote the excellent work they are doing to ensure a secure future for the local economy."

There are five categories in the 2007 Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise. Winners will receive a unique handcrafted trophy and cash prize of up to £5,000.

Entrants are now being sought for any one or more of the following five categories, each with its own criteria:

• New Business Award
• Young Business Award
• Business Growth Award
• The Alick Buchanan Smith Spirit of Enterprise Award
• Sir Ian Wood Award for Innovation

More information about entering the awards can be found at www.grampianawards.com. Entry information can be collected from Royal Bank of Scotland branches, Business Gateway outlets and from Enterprise North East Trust business centres and offices.

Application forms are available online at www.grampianawards.com and by calling Enterprise North East Trust on 01467 672500.

The deadline for first stage applications is Friday 23 February 2007 and the shortlist of finalists will be announced on 16 April 2007. The awards ceremony will take place on 7^th June at Ardoe House Hotel, by Aberdeen.

For more information on starting a business, telephone 01224 289725 or visit www.bgateway.com.

Picture caption: Dr Deborah O'Neil, Chief Executive of NovaBiotics Limited, the winner of last year's Grampian Awards for Business Enterprise Sir Ian Wood Award.

Sally Wallis

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