Emerging Australian biopharmaceutical company, EnGeneIC, has been recognised with the Innovation Award in the Small Medium Enterprise Corporate (Medical/Biotech/Life Science/Science) category of the 2015 Thomson Reuters Australian Citation & Innovation Awards.
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According to a statement, EnGeneIC received the Award in recognition of its proprietary EDV nanocell technology platform - a nanoparticle drug, siRNA or miRNA delivery system designed to directly target and effectively kill tumour cells with minimal toxicity, while at the same time stimulating the immune system’s natural anti-tumour response.
A recent case study published in the peer-reviewed journal, American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, reported that a 51-year old male experienced a near complete response of his malignant pleural mesothelioma after participating in a clinical study testing the EDV technology.
EnGeneIC holds more than 160 patents worldwide governing its EDV platform. The patent portfolio does not rely on the licensing of any technology from a third party and has been developed entirely in house by the founders and Joint CEOs, Drs Himanshu Brahmbhatt and Jennifer MacDiarmid.
According to Dr MacDiarmid remarked, “This innovation award is a wonderful surprise, and we are very excited to be recognised by Thomson Reuters as a company that is poised to make a difference to cancer patients. The award is especially pleasing as it follows last week’s news that dosing with the targeted EDV nanocell has enabled a near complete response in an end-stage mesothelioma patient.”
The award is based on set criteria that assess an organisation's level of innovation, including the size of the patent portfolio, success rate, extent of globalisation and influence of the innovation.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to honor the individuals and institutions making significant contributions in Research & Innovation,” said Jeroen Prinsen, senior director for Australia and New Zealand, Thomson Reuters. “Australia plays an important role in the global scholarly and commercial ecosystem, and it is through the use of Thomson Reuters data that we are able to qualify and quantify this contribution, and give credit where credit is due. Innovation is a key driver of today’s global economy. These institutions understand the value of protecting their intellectual assets and bringing them to market for commercial advantage.”