The UKTI Bioentrepreneurial Company of the Year Awards 2007

EAST MIDLANDS NOMINATIONS
The Nominating body for the Innovation Award Categories is BioCity

Innovation in Drug Discovery & Development
This Award recognises the contribution a company makes to the UK's dominant
position in the discovery and development of innovative new medicines.

Awaiting nomination

Innovation in Enabling Biotechnology
This Award recognises the role research plays in developing technologies
that facilitate drug discovery and development.

Awaiting nomination

UK Special Award
This award recognises those companies who have made sales in a new territory
with the help and assistance of their regional international trade advisors,
or devolved regional support organisation.

PetScreen Ltd
Biocity
Nottingham
Dr Shahid Mian, Technical Director
Nominated by: Ian Barr, International Trade Advisor, UK Trade & Investment

Veterinary health care represents a significant and expanding market opportunity. The US companion animal (pet) market has been growing at a rate of 6% over the past ten years and had an estimated value of $40 billion for 2006. 60% of US households have one pet. $18 billion dollars was spent on healthcare treatment (diagnostics/pharmaceuticals) for America’s estimated 65 million dogs and 70 million cats. Similar market trends are being witnessed in Europe, Japan, Australia and expanding economies such as China and Brazil. Technological advances emerging from the post genome era are changing the paradigm of drug development and personalised approaches for human healthcare. Translation of these advances is not restricted to the human healthcare sector. The increasing trend of “humanising” pets is resulting in owners demanding (and paying for) better veterinary care. Entrepreneurial companies such as PetScreen are responding to meet this market need.

One in four dogs will develop cancer during their lifetime and lymphoma is responsible for 20% of all dog cancers. PetScreen have developed and launched the first commercial canine blood based lymphoma diagnostic/screening test using proteomic and bioinformatic technologies. Through a global logistics deal with FedEx, samples can be shipped chilled from anywhere in the world to PetScreen’s laboratories in the UK and revenue has been increasing close to exponentially since the launch of the test in November 2006. A combination of private equity and DTi R&D grants have enabled the company to rapidly develop and deploy its product range to the veterinary community. The FedEx partnership will provide a platform for future global expansion. In less than three years the company has established working processes with major veterinary diagnostic companies (UK/US/Taiwan) to develop and market its innovative assays. This has been achieved with the assistance of UKTi Solo awards and Passport to Export grant aid.

www.pet-screen.com

If you have any enquiries, please email the BioAwards Team or call +44 (0)870 0675934