Cambridge spin-outs recognised at European entrepreneurship awards

Two University of Cambridge spin-out companies were recognised in the third annual ACES awards, which recognise the best in academic entrepreneurship from across Europe. The awards, given by the Science|Business Innovation Board, were handed out at ceremony in Zurich on 3 February. Cambridge was the only university with more than one finalist and the only one to win more than one award. Sabine Bahn (pictured) and Chris Lowe, co-founders of Psynova Neurotech received the Life Sciences Award, and Carlos Ludlow and Howard Chase of Enval Limited were recognised in the Materials/Chemistry category. The ACES competition is open to entrepreneurs in the European Union and countries affiliated with European Union's 7th Framework Programme for research, including Israel and Russia. The Life Sciences Award was given to Sabine Bahn and Chris Lowe, co-founders of Psynova Neurotech Ltd, which was spun-out from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. The company is developing novel biomarkers that can help improve the diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses, and has built up a portfolio of 20 patent families.