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If you haven't visted the our main website in a while then a take look... we have given the site a bit of a facelift adding updated and new information. Click below to take a look at how our science park is evolving: Science Park Cambridge

Red Gate wins award sponsored by Granta Park

Red Gate was founded by Simon Galbraith and Neil Davidson and has become one of the fastest growing tech frirms in the UK.

In 2006 the company was nominated in the Excellence Awards for Small Business of the Year, but Neil and Simon so impressed the judges, they put the company in the running for the big one, Business of the Year, and Red Gate won, beating off competition from much larger firms.

Last year Red Gate really pushed the boat out, with Neil taking the entire workforce of 110 on a magical mystery shopping expedition which ended up in the new Apple store in the Grand Arcade, where every member of staff was given £300 tax paid to buy themselves a present.

This was to celebrate the company hitting its five-year stated target of $2m sales in a single month.

Simon nominated Neil for Businessman of the Year, because not only has Neil maintained a full-on position within Red Gate, but he is also playing a major role in promoting Cambridge as a world class centre of excellence.

He was prime mover in starting the prestigeous Cambridge Lectures last year, bringing international speakers to the city, and he has just taken over as chairman of Cambridge Network, where he plans to use the organisation to lift the Cambridge game on the world stage.

"When Red Gate won Business of the Year it was a huge benefit to us, opened doors," Neil told the judges. "I see this as similar and i would use it to try and get organisations in Cambridge working better together.

"I want to encourage the start-ups to stay in Cambridge, to give them the chance to discuss things with people who have helped us to grow. Why shouldn't there be 100 companies like Red Gate in Cambridge."

Pictured: John Granger of Granta Park and Kate Adie presenting the award to Neil Davidson of Red Gate Software.

A message from the MEPC chief executive: Rick de Blaby

Good News For Vernalis

Biogen Idec reports favourable data from Phase IIa Parkinson’s Disease studies licensed from Vernalis

Vernalis plc today announced that Biogen Idec presented headline data at its 25 March 2009 R&D Day from two Phase IIa studies of BIIB014 (also known as V2006), an oral compound for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

In a press release, Biogen Idec announced that interim results from these Phase IIa studies of BIIB014 were favorable and support continued development of BIIB014 in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Biogen Idec also announced that it is currently in discussion with regulators surrounding the design of a registration program of BIIB014 in this patient population. In a presentation at its R&D Day, Biogen Idec reported that BIIB014 was well tolerated and showed dose dependent clinically relevant effects in patients with both early and late stage Parkinson’s disease.

In June 2004, Vernalis entered into an agreement with Biogen Idec to develop and commercialise BIIB014. Biogen Idec is conducting and funding future development and will pay milestones and royalties on the successful development and commercialisation of the product.

BIIB014 is a once-daily oral adenosine A2A receptor antagonist that may offer a non-dopaminergic therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Ian Garland, CEO of Vernalis commented:
“We are delighted that Biogen Idec has announced favourable Phase IIa data for BIIB014 and that these data support continued development of this novel compound as a treatment for patients with Parkinson’s disease. I am pleased that this compound, discovered by Vernalis, has the potential to be a novel, non-dopaminergic treatment option for the very many people with Parkinson’s disease. “

Getting fit with an Apple!

We are pleased to announce that the winners of the Fitness Suite prize draw for two Apple iPod V3 2GB Shuffles were from PPD and Gilead.

Following a two month campaign to encourage increased membership; all existing and new members were entered into the draw for the two Apple iPod’s- a necessary accessory for gym members who like to train on their own using equipment such as the running machines and bikes.

For those who prefer fitness classes the “Cool Bull” workout first thing on a Monday morning will blow the cobwebs away and set you up for the week ahead and, Jez’s fit-ball classes on Tuesday and Thursday lunch times will ensure you work your core!

For £23.00 a month what do you have to loose except a size or two on that swim wear?! If you start now you really will look fantastic on the beach this summer even if it is North Norfolk rather than the Costa del Sol!

Pictured one of the lucky winners receiving his prize from John Granger, Granta Park Managing Director.

Offices To Let/Rent Cambridge

A new office building on our Cambridge science park ready to be built and To Let/Rent.

The Perkin building is a stylish office development at the heart of this prestigious science park offering superb views across the Granta Park cricket pitch. With detailed planning consent the building could be ready for occupation within 18 months.

Offices To Let/Rent Cambridge