Oxford Immunotec wins award
4th May 2007
Over 100 representatives from the business, technology, research and investment communities in Oxfordshire and beyond gathered at the Said Business School last night as the winners of the Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 were chosen.
Immunotec Wins at Martin and Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007
Immunotec, a spin-out from Oxford University was one of many who took home an award this year.
This was the second year for the Awards, which focus on innovative and technology-based companies and promising entrepreneurs, and were established in honour of Sir Martin and Lady (Audrey) Wood, co-founders of Oxford Instruments plc.
The finalists made three minute presentations before the winners were announced.
The Winner of the Best Innovation Award was: Vision XS, a company based at Culham Innovation Centre that provides consultancy services to organisers of visitor attractions, exhibitions and major sporting events. Clients include the organisers of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. MD, Tony Sefton, received the Award from Dr John Lee, Director of Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub, sponsors of the Best Innovation category.
Runner-Up for the Best Innovation Award was: Smart Solar Ltd, which develops products powered by renewable energy for the home and garden that are sold into markets including Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia.
The Winner of the Best New Technology Company Award was: Polymertronics Ltd, a 2006 Oxfordshire start-up company, researching a new type of ultra-violet curable (UV) organic semiconductor. The company aims to develop technology to produce flexible posters with ‘pre-printed’ moving light features for use in interactive advertising displays. MD, Stephen Clemmet, received the Award from Poul Christensen, Board member of SEEDA, sponsors of the Award.
Runners-Up for the Best New Technology Company Award were: Futuretec Ltd, a design house that develops new ideas in science and technology. Its products include Regenatec, a conversion technology that enables vehicles to be retro-fitted with systems that can handle biofuels, and SmartCellar, a system that monitors the quality of drinks at dispensing points in pubs and bars. Encanvas Ltd develops software products that enable the extraction of data from various sources across large businesses.
The Winner of the Best Environmental Innovation Award was: Sachet Systems Ltd, a packaging and marketing company that specialises in creating innovative packaging. Its initial focus is on packaging for branded spirits using lightweight recyclable plastic that can enable aircraft to significantly reduce weight on items such as miniature drinks bottles. CEO, Martin Short, received the Award from Dr Edward Green, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Green Biologics, a previous winner of the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award.
Runners-Up for the Best Environmental Innovation Award were: Kingerlee Homes, which constructs new homes using sustainable methods, and WheelRight Ltd, which is developing a tyre pressure measurement technology.
The Winner of the Best Healthcare Innovation Award was: Oxford Immunotec Ltd, developing novel products based on its patented T-SPOT technology that is designed to diagnose and monitor infection and disease, with a focus on tuberculosis. CEO, Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, received the Award from Jerome Declerck, Senior Manager for Science at Siemens Molecular Imaging, sponsor of the Award.
Runners-Up for the Best Healthcare Innovation Award were: Oxonica Healthcare, a leading international nanomaterials group developing diagnostics testing products, and Oxford Cardiac Pharmacology LDT, specialists in developing the rapid tests that are required by drug regulatory authorities to assess the cardiac risk of new drugs.
The Winner of the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award was: Mike Lawton, Chief Executive Officer of Futuretec Ltd. Mike received his Award from Dr Fiona Reid, Director of Oxford Science Enterprise Centre in the Said Business School, sponsors of the Award.
Runners-Up for the Up and Coming Entrepreneur Award were: Jonathan Stobart of Smart Solar Ltd and Hamish Stoddart and Lee Cash, co-founders of Peach Pub Company Ltd, who have created a highly successful group of food-led pubs.
Oxford Immunotec
Oxford Immunotec was selected from the winners of the five Award categories to receive the additional accolade of Overall Winner of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007. CEO, Dr Peter Wrighton-Smith, received the Overall Winner Award from Sir Martin and (Lady) Audrey Wood.
The Awards were organised by Oxford University Innovation, which supports innovative companies and entrepreneurs through Innovation Centres and Investment Networks.
Dr David Kingham, Chief Operating Officer of Oxford University Innovation, said: “We congratulate the Winners of the Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007, who were selected from a range of very high quality entries. We would also like to acknowledge the achievements of everyone who entered these Awards, which showcased a wealth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in companies and individuals in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley.”
The Awards included cash prizes plus free office space for a year in one of Oxford University Innovation’s Centres, a tailored business support package and PR. Following the presentations, guests enjoyed an opportunity for informal networking during a buffet Reception.
The Martin & Audrey Wood Enterprise Awards 2007 were sponsored by: the Said Business School, the South East England Development Agency, Oxford Instruments plc, Oxfordshire Enterprise Hub, Siemens and Oxford University Innovation. The Reception was sponsored by Business Link Solutions.
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