Highlands and Islands firms triumph in life science awards

The awards recognise the success and achievements of Scotland’s internationally renowned life sciences sector in areas including innovation, business leadership, investment and collaboration.

The Business Leadership category award went to Campbell Grant, founder and CEO of Skye based technology firm Sitekit. Campbell started the company in 1989 and since 2009 it has specialised in the healthcare sector.

Sitekit is currently leading the development of the eRedbook, an innovative digital application that allows clinicians and parents to monitor a child’s health and development.

Helen Erwood, chief executive of ESPL Regulatory Consulting in Shetland, was also shortlisted in this category.

A joint venture between Inverness Campus based CorporateHealth International, software company OpenBrolly, NHS Highland and the Digital Healthcare Institute won the Innovation Collaboration category.

The group pioneered SCOTCAP to provide a point of care investigation of the lower gastrointestinal tract using minimally invasive colon capsule endoscopy. This can be done through local GPs and avoids the need for patients to travel considerable distances to Inverness from rural communities around the region.

Albyn Housing in Easter Ross meanwhile became the first social enterprise to be shortlisted in the awards. This was for the FitHomes project, a collaboration with NHS Highland and Invergordon based Carbon Dynamic, which designs and manufactures timber modular buildings.

The regional success at the awards was welcomed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), who provided support for the entrants. James Cameron, HIE’s head of life sciences said:

“The entries this year reflected the strong collaborations between industry, academia and the NHS, as well as the region’s strengths in digital health, diagnostics and marine and natural products.

“We were delighted to once again have several excellent submissions from across the region to this national event and to see such high-quality finalists representing the Highlands and Islands.  Our hearty congratulations go to the well-deserving winners.”

He added: “The natural assets, the skills and the ambition among people working for and leading these companies and projects combine to provide tremendous economic opportunities which benefit the region and the country.”