The Nordic Star Awards has been announced, highlighting particular innovative Nordic life science companies. This year the award went to AURA Biopharm, Eurocine Vaccines and Ocuspecto,
The awards were presented at the conclusion of the Nordic Life Science Days in Stockholm, which again set a new record for attendance.
Nordic Stars Awards were introduced in 2013 in special recognition of life science companies in the Nordic region demonstrating outstanding innovation and entrepreneurial skills.
“At SwedenBIO we are proud to present three winners of the Nordic Stars Awards 2016, each being passionate about developing solutions for their respective patient groups. Innovations like these, developed with impressive entrepreneurial spirit all contribute to sustainable healthcare, the theme of this year’s conference program.”
This year’s winners are:
AURA Biopharm, Norway
Recently founded AURA Biopharm is developing a treatment for a serious rare autoimmune disease, Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Based in Oslo, but operating virtually and led by an International team of very experienced scientists, managers and experts, AURA Biopharm has developed an exciting collaborative business model with great possibilities to deliver future breakthrough therapies to the market.
“Happy to receive it and it is a testimonial for our project,” said CEO of AURA Biopharm.
Eurocine Vaccines, Sweden
Eurocine Vaccines will soon enter clinical trials with their nasal quadrivalent influenza vaccine particularly aimed for children under the age of 2 years. Based on their proprietary adjuvant technology, the company is targeting a patient population where current vaccines have low preventive effects and recommendations from authorities world-wide are likely to result in a growing market. A vaccine without a needle could no doubt be labelled ”patient centric”.
“I want to share the award with the entire team, who are as passionate as I am,” said CEO Eurocine Vaccines.
Ocuspecto, Finland
Ocuspecto has developed and commercialized a novel portable medical device for the examination of the neuro-visual system from the eye to the visual processing in the brain. This ”easy-to-use-almost-anywhere” cloud-based device will provide healthcare professionals with essential information to diagnose, prevent and with increased precision follow up treatments of vision defects, cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Their slogan is ”your vision is our mission” – what else can you expect from a Nordic Star!
Jonas Ekstrand also reflected on highly successful two days:
“When we now conclude the 4th annual conference in a row with more delegates than ever, Nordic Life Science Days manifests itself as the premium conference, partnering and networking event within life science in Northern Europe. Join us next year again when the conference will be held in Malmö-Copenhagen, the heart of Medicon Valley.”
Nils Bohlin from Arthur D Little emphasized the importance of the sense of optimism and innovation, present at this year’s event. An innovation is a must for a sustainable society and sustainable healthcare.
From the left: Hans Arwidsson, CEO, Eurocine Vaccines; Olav Flaten, CEO, AURA Biopharma; Tapio Mäntysalo, CEO, Ocuspecto; and Jonas Ekstrand, CEO, SwedenBIO.
