Bioquarter competition to seek health benefit firms

Edinburgh Bioquarter has launched its 2012 Innovation Competition to discover new businesses that will benefit human and animal health.

The competition offers more than £25,000 in prize money for researchers from NHS Lothian and Edinburgh University.

Five companies will be selected as finalist in April 2012 and undergo a Dragon’s Den-style competition.

The winner will receive £10,000 to develop their idea.

There will also be a people’s choice award based on an online vote.

The Bioquarter’s Dr Mike Capaldi said: “Last year’s competition was a great success.

“We had 25 entries from around the university and the NHS, and three of the short-listed company concepts have since gone on to incorporate as businesses.

“This year we want to uncover even more ideas, whether from medical researchers or elsewhere in the university.”