Delta second prize for best business initiative in 2014

2015.03.20
News

Ascil BioPharm and Specipig have won the twelfth edition of the Delta awards, which recognise the creation and consolidation of business initiatives in the towns in the Llobregat delta area. The awards are given out by the town councils of El Prat, Sant Boi, Viladecans, Gavà and Castellsdefels (Barcelona). The awards ceremony was held yesterday at the Espai Cultural in El Prat with prominent figures and the finalists. In total, there were 37 candidates submitted for consideration.

The first prize of 3,000 euros went to Ascil Biopharm, a biomedical research company created in 2012 at Barcelona-Tech Park, Polytechnic University of Barcelona, in Viladecans.

Specipig took second prize, winning 1,500 euros. The panel of judges recognised the fact that it is a pioneer in Europe in terms of breeding, marketing and conducting biomedical research with the porcine animal model. The company was created as a technology-based start-up at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) and is held in part by Bioemprèn and Semen Cardona. Currently, in addition to offering CRO services (analytical laboratory, operating room and expert team for toxicology studies and proof of concept for new drugs, validation of medical devices, surgical training and research into new surgical techniques), Specipig is also working on a new genetic line of minipigs, which is in the final stage. The company expects to close a new round of funding for this work in the near future. So far, Specipig has received investments valued at 425,000 euros.