The spin-off VCN Biosciences, which sprung up from the virotherapy group of the Catalan Institute of Oncology, has won the award BioEntrepreneurship XXI fostered by La Caixa, Barcelona Activa, Biocat, Genome Spain Foundation and the Chamber of Commerce. The award, presented during Biocat Forum held on Tuesday December 2, recognizes the best plan for creating innovative company in the field of life sciences. 

VCN Biosciences, promoted by Dr Manel Cascalló, Dr Gabriel Capellà and Dr Ramon Alemany, is targeted to the development of oncolytic adenovirus designed to fight tumour cells. The company, made up in May 2009, is in the process of establishing itself in the first Bioincubator of Biopol’H.

The aim of the award is to make the creation of participants’ companies easier through a series of training activities and by analyzing the viability of the business ideas. The amount of the first prize is 20,000 euros. The two finalists - ImmunNovative Developments (first runner) and iMicroQ (second runner) - have been awarded 10,000 and 5,000 respectively. They have also been given access to educational activities and the possibility of taking part in the conferences of reference within the sector. A total of 20 projects from universities and institutions throughout Catalonia had turned up for the award.