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usMIMA, Subtilis Biomaterials and Tractivus awarded as best biotechs of the year

By 3 de December de 2014No Comments
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UsMIMA was chosen the winner of the 2014 BioEmprenedorXXI award. Photo: Biocat.
 03.12.2014

usMIMA, Subtilis Biomaterials and Tractivus awarded as best biotechs of the year

The BioEmprenedorXXI award, which recognizes business projects in the field of life sciences with greater growth potential, was granted this afternoon –as part of the regional closing seminar of the ETTBio project. The start-up usMIMA – that originated from d·HEALTH Barcelona, Biocat´s post-graduate program to accelerate innovation in healthcare medical technologies - has won the current edition of the awards, and companies Subtilis and Tractivus  have been awarded as first and second finalist, respectively. The awards –promoted by Biocat, the Barcelona City Council, through Barcelona Activa, and "la Caixa" - consist, as a whole, of a cash endowment of 21,000 euros and a package of incubation, acceleration and internationalization actions for the project. Furthermore, the three selected companies will enjoy the status of associated company at the Parc Cientific de Barcelona  (PCB) for one full year.

 

 

As the winner of the BioEmprenedorXXI Award, usMIMA has recevied 12,000 euros, a free stay at the Glories Business Incubator of Barcelona Activa and the accounting and tax advice of the  Grup Vilar Riba. The start-up has developed a wearable medical device controlled by a central software that simulates therapeutic massages to treat chronic constipation in a non-invasive, non-pharmacological fashion and without adverse effects. The team is formed by four entrepreneurs with multidisciplinary profiles, whom identified the business idea during a clinical immersion at the Guttman Institute.

The first finalist, Subtilis Biomaterials, which has received 6,000 euros, is a spin-off of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, specializing in designing, manufacturing and commercialization of solutions for bone regeneration in orthopedic and dental fields.

The second finalist,  Tractivus, which received 3,000 euros, was born out of a collaboration between GEMAT (Materials Engineering Group), the Chemical Institute of Sarria (IQS) and the Institute of Biomedical Research of Bellvitge (IDIBELL). It  has designed two technologies with antibacterial properties that allow the dosification of drugs designed to resolve complications associated with stent implantation.

Public-private partnerships to foster innovative spirit and innovation

BioEmprenedorXXI is a training, consulting and support program for the creation and growth of technology based companies in the field of life sciences. The program was born with a double objective: to create a solid foundation of new companies with potential growth and to contribute to the interaction among all actors in the sector and to transfer the research developed at universities and research centers to the market.

This year, the event counted with the participation of 13 entrepreneurs, seven of whom have already constituted the company and three are in process of doing so. “In total, throughout all seven editions that have been carried out, 108 business projects were submitted, 61 of which are now operating as constituted companies, over 41.5 million euros of funding were raised and more than 250 direct jobs were created as a result, “said Montserrat Vendrell, director of Biocat, during the awards ceremony.

The BioEmprenedor XXI program closes with a business plan competition before a jury of experts and representatives of the sponsoring organizations, and a cash award is presented to the best business plan and the two finalists. These three companies also benefit, among other advantages, from free participation in training activities and international exhibits and fairs as well as having the status of associated companies at the Parc Cientific de Barcelona for one full year, thereby enjoying access to its services in advantageous conditions.