Scottish marine biotech founder wins entrepreneur award
pharmafile | July 8, 2008 | News story | Research and Development, Sales and Marketing | Scotland, biotech
The chief executive of an innovative marine biotechnology company has been named Scottish entrepreneur of the year in healthcare.
Dr Andrew Mearns Spragg is founder and chief executive of Aquapharm Biodiscovery in Oban and is developing new antibiotic compounds derived from the marine microbial environment.
Aquapharm has a number of compounds in pre-clinical development with a focus on the development of anti-infectives for use against infections such as MRSA, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The company currently employs 17 staff at its base at the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology, in Oban on the west coast of Scotland.
The company's lead compound, P-216CM is in pre-clinical development for gram-positive indications.
Aquapharm's proprietary library also has applications in the development of carotenoids for the nutraceutical and personal care industries as well as biocatalysis agents for industrial applications.
Commenting on his award, Dr Mearns Spragg said: "I am delighted to have received this award which is a reflection not only on my own passion and belief in the company but also the commitment and experience of the growing team. It has been an exciting year for us with the expansion of our management and scientific advisory boards and the ongoing development of our novel anti-infective compounds which are derived from marine micro-organisms."
The Scotland awards were held on 12 June in Glasgow to celebrate those entrepreneurs who are behind growing and dynamic businesses.
The independent judging panel included leading entrepreneurs and business figures. Dr Mearns Spragg will now be put forward to represent Scotland in the national finals of the Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 programme.
The national award recipients will be announced at a gala awards ceremony on Monday 6 October in London.
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