Canterbury Scientific Up For Top NZ Business Award
Press release, 9 August 2013, Canterbury Scientific, Christchurch, New Zealand: Canterbury Scientific is proud to announce that it is a finalist for the prestigious International Business Awards run
by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. These awards are one of the highest accolades in New Zealand and also one of the
hardest fought involving a thorough four stage entry process. The company is competing in the Best Business with Revenue <$10 Million and the International Success Through Application of Innovation categories.
Canterbury Scientific has achieved consistent growth in the last three years, with revenue and employee numbers doubling
thanks to the global success of its Haemoglobin A1c control. The product is used by hospitals, laboratories and medical
clinics for the control and calibration of tests used in the management of diabetes – a disease which affects more than
347 million people.
“Prof Robin Carrell and Dr Maurice Owen have put decades of research into developing a product of exceptional stability
and quality which has been recognised by our now extensive customer base” says CEO Dr Neil Pattinson. “Patience is a key
ingredient to success in Bioscience. Being acknowledged among the top international businesses in the country is a great
validation of that success.”
One of the other unique characteristics of Canterbury Scientific’s HbA1c control is its ethical production. Rather than
relying on blood from the very people we are trying to help, the diabetic level control is made from healthy blood
samples.
“The HbA1c control is a niche product in a rapidly expanding global market, and that success has enabled us to invest in
the research and development of new diagnostic controls to monitor conditions such as pre-eclampsia, pancreatitis, and
the secondary complications of diabetes,” says Co-Founder and Scientific Director Dr Maurice Owen. “We want to
diversify. Our greater goal with Canterbury Scientific has been to establish a successful model for the
commercialisation of diagnostic research.”
Canterbury Scientific exports 100% of its control products, which are sold through OEM partnerships with medical device
manufacturers and global healthcare giants such as Siemens, Roche, Panasonic and Beckman Coulter. With market share
estimated at 40% in the US and 10% in Europe, Canterbury Scientific’s HbA1c control has touched the lives of millions of
diabetes sufferers. With China and India accounting for 44% of the total diabetic population, the company is putting
significant focus on recruiting new partners in Asia.
Canterbury Scientific was also honoured with the 2012 Champion Canterbury Awards (Global Operator Award and the Supreme
Award in the small enterprise class) and the 2012 NZ Innovators Award in Health & Science. The International Business Award winners will be announced on 26 September.
About Canterbury Scientific
Canterbury Scientific Ltd is a privately owned New Zealand medical device company founded out of the Canterbury District
Health Board in 1985 by directors Prof Robin Carrell, Bryce Hawkins and Dr Maurice Owen. The company specialises in the
development, production and export of quality HbA1c controls for haematology and clinical biochemistry tests which are
prized for being highly reliable and ethical with enhanced stability and shelf life.
In February 2011, Canterbury Scientific opened a new $1.2m facility in Christchurch which has been specially furbished
with modern sophisticated systems, including temperature and humidity control, to provide an advanced and sustainable
environment comparable to world class manufacturing practices. The company was named as one of the Technology Investment
Network’s Top 10 Hot Emerging Companies of 2011 and 2012. For more information visit www.canterburyscientific.com.
ENDS