WA biotechs pick up industry and export awards

Three WA biotechnology companies have been recognised in the 2013 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards.

Early-phase clinical trials facility Linear Clinical Research won an export award for the healthcare and biotechnology category.

The company was also one of three finalists for the CY O’Connor Award for Excellence in Engineering and a finalist in the small business and business services export award categories.

Linear chairman and Harry Perkins Institute director designate Professor Peter Leedman called the showing during the awards “an excellent outcome” for the company.

“The competitive advantage of Linear rests in its strong ‘can-do culture’ inside a world-best facility, rapid ethics turnaround and relatively uncomplicated regulatory environment (compared to the US), special links with the Department of Health ... and, of course, spades of hard work,” he said.

Drug discovery CRO Epichem meanwhile won the export award for business services for the third year running. Sera, regent and cell culture supplier Serana Australia likewise won the regional exporter award for the third year in a row.

Both Epichem and Serana were finalists in the healthcare and biotechnology category, and Epichem was also a finalist in the small business category.