Healthcare firms scoop awards at ceremony

Nov 13 2010 by John Hill, The Journal

STAND-OUT performers in the North East’s healthcare sector got a moment in the sun at the Cels Business for Life awards this week.

Newcastle’s Assembly Rooms played host to 200 guests, celebrating the achievements of companies in fields such as export, environment, innovation and outstanding growth. Awards were handed out to eight companies from the region, while 26 finalists had the chance of taking home a trophy.

Northumberland’s SCM Pharma as given the UKTI-sponsored export award, while the University of Sunderland’s environment award was secured by Shasun Pharma Solutions, in Dudley, near Cramlington. Kinneir Dufort Design of Houghton-le-Spring were winners of the Newcastle Science City innovation award, while Cambridge Research Bio Chemicals went back to Billingham with the outstanding growth award.

The partnership with the NHS award, sponsored by Newcastle University’s faculty of medical sciences, was won by Limbs Alive, while Nonlinear Dynamics won KITE Innovation Europe’s technology award, Demuris scooped the Marks and Clerk LLP business start-up award while Max Robinson of NETPark resident Kromek came away with the NRG healthconnect award.

The Centre of Excellence for Life Sciences is partly funded by One North East, and offers support to healthcare businesses in the North East.

Cels managing director Dr Mike Nicholds said: “The healthcare and technology sector in the North East has demonstrated again and again the strength it has with companies, leading universities and healthcare providers combining to create a vibrant sector. Cels and the sponsors of these awards are proud to support the sector whose products improve the health of many people in the region and worldwide.”