AN innovative new technology that helps in the treatment of skin cancer has won the Invent Awards, organised by Catalyst to shine a light on local innovations with the greatest commercial potential.
More than 100 talented innovators applied for this year’s initiative, with 12 finalists chosen to compete for the main prize in front of an online audience of 1,200 people from around the world.
And overall winner KLAS-PDT Technology took home a prize package of £13,000 from a total prize fund of £33,000.
KLAS-PDT Technology is a peptide based non-invasive therapy for metastatic melanoma, a type of skin cancer. It is used alongside current immunotherapies to increase their effectiveness at a reduced cost to the provider and less toxicity for the user.
Founder Bridgeen Callan said: “We've developed an innovative new therapy that results in no scarring for the patient and also reduces cost.
“The Invent process has been invaluable to help me translate the science into something that is more understandable and which I hope can be made available to everyone.”
Category winners on the night were Sport Buff (creative media and consumer internet), Movetru (enterprise software), Klas PDT Technology (life and health sciences), Stallion Services (agri science), AJEA (engineering) and AntennaWare (electronics).
In addition to the main awards, the 12 finalists took to the stage at ICC Belfast’s hybrid studio to give a live one-minute elevator pitch to win £1,000, with the virtual audience voting Truss Buddy as winner.
And the student Invent competition was won by Belfast-based Kezie Todd from Ulster University, who has developed Arcadia Report, an immersive mystery experience that transforms your city into an escape room via a rich story-telling platform.
Four Innovator Awards were also presented to Bloc Blinds, Axial 3D, Surecert and Ulster University’s Professor Tara Moore for their success in pivoting their business or working to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.
Invest programme manager Kerry McGarvey said: “Congratulations to Bridgeen and all our winners and finalists, who are aiming to solve real world problems. The breadth of different ideas covered in this year’s competition has firmly demonstrated that innovation really is alive and well here.”
Niall Devlin, head of regional business centres NI at headline partner Bank of Ireland said: “Invent continues to be an inspiration, and we’re hugely excited about the fantastic innovations this year. I'm convinced these entrepreneurs will go on to do amazing things and represent Northern Ireland well on the global stage.
“KLAS-PDT Technology has enormous potential and their passionate and talented team are determined to ensure this cutting edge treatment can be made available to everyone.”
