Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 www.ghp-news.com Antharis Therapeutics: Oncology Biopharmaceutical Company of the Year 2026 & GHP Innovation Excellence Award 2026 Featuring: BioLogic Pharma Solutions: Best Emerging Biotech & Pharmaceutical Consulting Firm 2026 – USA & GHP Client Service Excellence Award 2026
Global Health & Pharma is delighted to announce the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Awards 2026, recognising innovation, research, and excellence across one of the world’s most transformative sectors. Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 From emerging biotech start-ups to established pharmaceutical pioneers, this awards programme celebrates the organisations and individuals driving discovery, improving lives, and shaping the future of global health. Leading Innovation in Global Health Valued at over $1.7 trillion in 2025, the biotechnology and life sciences industry continues to grow at pace, fuelled by breakthroughs in cell and gene therapy, AI-driven drug discovery, sustainable biomanufacturing, and precision medicine. As science and technology advance hand in hand, the sector is redefining healthcare, driving sustainability, and tackling global challenges with ingenuity and collaboration. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: ghpnews.digital AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
Contents 4. NorCemic Inc.: Most Innovative Non- Invasive Blood Monitoring Technology Company 2026 6. Oncology Biopharmaceutical Company of the Year 2026 & GHP Innovation Excellence Award 2026: Antharis Therapeutics 7. INVAMED: Medical Device Innovator of the Year 2026 8. SYNAPTYS neuroscience: Alzheimer’s Drug Development Company of the Year 2026 9. B-Trust Project: Best Biotechnology Trust & Co-Creation Governance Initiative 2026 – Europe 10. BioLogic Pharma Solutions: Best Emerging Biotech & Pharmaceutical Consulting Firm 2026 – USA & GHP Client Service Excellence Award 2026 11. Altasciences: Best Biopharmaceutical CRO 2026 12. Quagilance Ltd: Leading Innovator in Life-Science Safety & Compliance 2026
4 With approximately 38.4 million Americans living with diabetes and an estimated 8.7 million more who remain undiagnosed, the need for accessible, painless blood monitoring technology has never been more urgent. Combining quantum sensing, photonics, data science, and clinical medicine, one innovative medical device technology company has risen to meet this growing demand head-on. Ambima Buzhyason, Founder, President, and CEO of NorCemic Inc., told us more about this revolutionary technology below. Born directly from the intersection of scientific expertise and realworld patient need, NorCemic Inc. is on a mission to eliminate the pain, inconvenience, and recurring costs associated with traditional blood glucose monitoring. Headquartered in Arizona, the medical device technology company serves a broad spectrum of clients and end users that includes individuals managing diabetes and prediabetes, athletes and biohackers seeking medical optimisation, and healthcare professionals and research institutes requiring multibiomarker monitoring capabilities. NorCemic Inc.’s specific focus on non-invasive spectroscopic analysis was defined through the convergence of Founder Ambima Buzhyason’s academic background in molecular pathology, data science, and healthcare management. Ambima is an experienced researcher and certified data scientist with an in-depth knowledge of quantitative methods, research methodologies, and experimental design. His expertise has been instrumental in driving NorCemic Inc. as a leader in medical device innovation. The SmartCemic QESA Pro is NorCemic Inc.’s flagship product, a quantum-enhanced, non-invasive bio-marker monitoring device that measures key health indicators including glucose, HbA1c, ketones, insulin, and lactate through the skin, with no needles, no blood draws, and no pain. With prototypes currently in the final stage of development and multiple trademarks and patents secured, NorCemic Inc. has established its intellectual property position at the forefront of quantum-enhanced biomedical sensing. “NorCemic is not simply developing another glucose monitor,” said Ambima. “We are building a comprehensive, quantum-enhanced biomarker monitoring platform designed to democratise access to health data that has historically required laboratory visits, needles, and significant expense. Our technology has the potential to fundamentally change how hundreds of millions of people around the world manage their metabolic health.” “Our technology has the potential to fundamentally change how hundreds of millions of people around the world manage their metabolic health.” In a highly competitive market, NorCemic Inc. stands out for its convergence of multiple breakthrough technologies into a single, accessible device that does what no other commercially available product can: monitor multiple biomarkers continuously and noninvasively with consistent accuracy across all skin types. Specifically, the SmartCemic QESA Pro differentiates itself in a number of ways, primarily through eliminating the ongoing costs and discomfort that makes traditional monitoring burdensome for millions of patients by requiring no needles, blood draws, or recurring consumables such as test strips or disposable sensors. Furthermore, the company’s proprietary quantum-enhanced spectroscopic analysis – combining near-infrared and mid-infrared spectroscopy with quantum cascade laser technology and plasmonic enhancement layers – enables detection of biomarker signals through the skin with a level of sensitivity and precision that conventional optical approaches have struggled to achieve. The technology also surpasses devices that measure only glucose, monitoring multiple biomarkers that include glucose, HbA1c, ketones, insulin, and lactate from a single measurement, providing a comprehensive metabolic profile rather than an isolated data point. Perhaps most importantly, NorCemic Inc.’s system incorporates skin tone compensation using the Monk Skin Tone Scale, a ten-point calibration system that adjusts optical algorithms to account for how light interacts with different melanin levels. This commitment to equitable accuracy across diverse populations is not merely a technical feature; it reflects NorCemic Inc.’s core belief that advanced Most Innovative NonInvasive Blood Monitoring Technology Company 2026
GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 health monitoring technology should work for everyone, regardless of skin colour or ethnicity. “Our skin tone compensation system addresses a documented disparity in medical device performance that disproportionately affects communities of colour,” Ambima told us. “This is not a secondary consideration. It is central to our mission. Every decision we make, from product design to partnership selection, begins with one question: how does this improve patient outcomes and quality of life?” Indeed, this consideration is evident in NorCemic Inc.’s partnership with VitaTek LLC, a vertically integrated medical device contract manufacturer based in Minnesota. VitaTek brings comprehensive in-house capabilities spanning engineering, prototyping, FDA regulatory support, manufacturing, sterilisation, and distribution. This partnership positions the company to move from prototype to production-scale manufacturing with the quality controls and regulatory rigour its technology demands. As a medical device technology company, NorCemic operates within a comprehensive regulatory framework. Its primary regulatory considerations include compliance with FDA regulations for medical devices, specifically the pathway toward FDA Class II clearance under the 501(k) process. The company also adheres to ISO 15197 standards for blood glucose monitoring system accuracy, HIPAA requirements for the protection of patient health information, and international standards including ISO 13485 for medical device quality management systems. Rather than being applied retroactively, NorCemic Inc.’s approach to regulatory compliance is built into every stage of its development process. The team maintains a dedicated focus on quality management systems and has structured its manufacturing partnership with VitaTek specifically because of its FDA-tracked facility capabilities and in-house regulatory expertise. NorCemic Inc.’s data security architecture employs AES-256 encryption and end-to-end data protection protocols to ensure HIPAA compliance across its cloud services, mobile applications, and web platform. This approach is made possible by the team behind NorCemic Inc., operating with the agility and intensity of a startup but the discipline and accountability of a regulated medical device company. The team is inherently multidisciplinary, bringing together expertise in quantum computing, photonics, molecular pathology, clinical medicine, data science, software engineering, and healthcare operations. This diversity of perspectives has proven essential in solving the complex, multi-domain challenges inherent in noninvasive biomarker monitoring. NorCemic Inc.’s internal culture is defined by transparency and open communication, influencing both how the team works internally and engages with its community of backers, investors, and future users. This culture directly contributes to the company’s success by fostering rapid iteration and honest progress evaluation. “When our engineering team encounters a technical obstacle, the clinical team is at the table to contextualise the impact, and the data science team is ready to explore algorithmic solutions,” Ambima added. “This cross-functional collaboration accelerates problem-solving and ensures that every feature we develop is genuinely useful to the people we serve.” Maintaining this strong team is crucial, especially when navigating the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. In January 2026, the FDA published revised guidance on General Wellness Products and Clinical Decision Support Software, significantly expanding the scope of non-invasive wearable products that can be classified under general wellness pathways. This development has direct implications for NorCemic Inc.’s product classification and go-tomarket strategy, and the company has been proactive in assessing how these changes align with its development roadmap. The year 2026 is set to be a transformational period for NorCemic Inc. The company’s most significant near-term milestone is the planned submission for FDA Class II clearance, supported by comprehensive clinical trial data. This represents the culmination of years of research, engineering, and regulatory preparation, and achieving clearance will position the SmartCemic QESA Pro as a validated, clinical-grade non-invasive monitoring solution. “We have made significant strides over the past year,” reflected Ambima. “Our SmartCemic QESA Pro prototype devices have entered the final prototype stage and are now in active manufacturing partnership. We have launched both our iOS and Android companion applications, which are live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, delivering real-time biomarker tracking, AI-powered health insights, comprehensive trend analysis, and smart notifications to users.” Concurrently, the company is advancing its manufacturing timeline with its production partner to fulfil preorders from crowdfunding campaigns and begin broader market distribution. NorCemic Inc. is also expanding its product ecosystem with the planned development of the SmartCemic Smart Watch and Smart Ring form factors, scheduled for 2027 release, which will extend its quantumenhanced sensing technology into wearable formats designed for 24/7 continuous monitoring. On the software and platform side, NorCemic Inc. is enhancing its mobile applications with expanded AI-powered health insights, deeper integration with healthcare provider systems, and new features for women’s health, including hormone-glucose correlationanalysis. With tiers ranging from basic wellness monitoring to clinicalgrade comprehensive analysis, the subscription model positions NorCemic Inc. for sustainable revenue growth while keeping core monitoring features accessible. “Looking further ahead, we see enormous potential in expanding our biomarker monitoring capabilities beyond the current scope,” Ambima announced, “leveraging our quantum-enhanced sensing platform to address cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic health markers that are currently accessible only through laboratory blood draws. Our vision is to make comprehensive health monitoring as simple, painless, and routine as checking the time on your wrist.” Contact: Ambima Buzhyason Company: NorCemic Inc. Web Address: www.norcemic.com & www.smartcemic.com
6 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 Development within the oncology biotechnology sector remains one of the most dynamic and promising areas in medicine, yet is also characterised by significant complexity and evolving external pressures. Cancer biology itself is highly complex, and demonstrating both strong efficacy and acceptable safety profiles continues to be a key hurdle across the industry. Antharis Therapeutics is an emerging and impactful player in this field, and has been recognised for its contributions in the Biotechnology and Lifesciences Awards 2026. We spoke with Founder, CEO, and Chairman, Dr. Raphael Pinaud, to learn more. Founded in 2020, Antharis is a multinational biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation monoclonal and bispecific antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to treat cancers with high unmet medical needs. The company’s work centres on translating cutting-edge scientific innovation into transformative therapies for patients, leveraging proprietary approaches to antibody engineering and ADC development to create therapeutics that deliver powerful anti-cancer activity while maintaining a strong safety and tolerability profile. As a biotechnology company, Antharis ultimately serves patients and physicians, while operationing within a broad ecosystem that includes partners, contract development and manufacturing organisations, academic institutions, investors, and regulatory authorities. Close collaboration across this ecosystem is essential, ensuring that promising science is efficiently translated from the laboratory into clinical trials and, ultimately, patient care. Antharis’ focus has been shaped by the experience of its leadership and scientific teams across oncology drug development, translational research, and biotech entrepreneurship. “Through years of work in oncology, we recognised persistent gaps in treatment efficacy,” said Dr. Pinaud. “This is particularly evident in solid tumours, where resistance and toxicity often limit patient outcomes. This experience guided our decision to concentrate on next-generation ADC technologies and innovative antibody platforms designed to meaningfully improve therapeutic precision and potency.” The company has made significant strides over the last year, with several long-standing development plans translating into tangible progress. The most significant milestone for Antharis has been the continued advancement of its lead antibody-drug conjugate programme, AT-20, designed to address multiple gastrointestinal cancers for which treatment options remain limited. Following years of platform development, molecule optimisation, and translational research, Antharis is now transitioning into a clinical-stage company, with patients expected to receive AT-20 in upcoming clinical trials this year. Operating within the biotechnology and oncology drug development space requires strict adherence to global regulatory frameworks designed to ensure patient safety, data integrity, and product quality. Antharis complies with regulatory frameworks established by authorities such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and other international health agencies in jurisdictions where development activities take place. Remaining at the forefront of industry developments requires Antharis to continuously engage with the broader scientific and medical community. The team remains closely connected to academic researchers, clinical investigators, and industry experts advancing the frontiers of oncology and biologics development. Antharis actively monitors scientific publications, emerging clinical data, and evolving regulatory guidance to continuously refine its development strategy. Antharis’ expansive ecosystem enables the team to innovate efficiently and responsibly while continuing to accelerate the path to patient impact. “Oncology drug development is ultimately about improving and extending lives,” Dr. Pinaud told us. “Every strategic decision we make is guided by the goal of delivering therapies that meaningfully improve outcomes for patients facing difficult diagnoses.” This goal will continue to shape the future of Antharis’ operations. The coming period represents a defining chapter for the company, as it transitions from an innovation-driven development organisation into a clinical-stage biotechnology company. The primary focus for 2026 is the successful clinical advancement of lead ADC candidate AT-20. Initiating and executing early clinical studies will be a major milestone, marking the point at which the team’s scientific efforts translate directly into potential patient benefit. At the same time, the team is working to expand its pipeline into the clinic. Antharis’ technology and partnerships position the company to develop additional next-generation ADC candidates, and in 2026 the team expects to continue advancing its leading assets through the final stages of preclinical development, with the goal of maintaining a robust portfolio of oncology therapies in the clinic. “Ultimately, our ambition for 2026 and beyond is clear: to establish Antharis as a recognised clinical-stage oncology innovator capable of delivering multiple differentiated therapies,” concluded Dr. Pinaud. “While drug development timelines require patience and discipline, we believe the progress we are now achieving reflects years of careful groundwork. “In short, this is a story about scientific vision combined with disciplined execution and a deep commitment to patients, and we are excited to contribute meaningfully to the future of oncology care.” Contact: Dr. Raphael Pinaud, PhD/MBA Company: Antharis Therapeutics Web Address: www.antharistherapeutics.com Oncology Biopharmaceutical Company of the Year 2026 & GHP Innovation Excellence Award 2026 Antharis Therapeutics
7 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 vascular and cardiovascular care, including treatments for varicose veins, DVT, pulmonary embolism, arterial and aortic conditions, as well as cardiac and neurovascular interventions. It also covers spine and cranial applications, oncology solutions such as ablation and embolization, orthopedic and trauma care, and urology and incontinence management. In addition, INVAMED provides solutions in ENT, ophthalmology, pain management, soft tissue and aesthetic procedures, dermatology, and dental care, along with haemostatic and tissue sealant technologies, and comprehensive catheter and guidewire systems. These are supported by digital health and remote monitoring platforms, as well as a global marketing and distribution network that ensures accessibility worldwide. Alongside its product portfolio, the company continues to invest in research and development, particularly in AI and robotics, while supporting the ongoing training and education of medical professionals. Through this integrated approach, INVAMED delivers high-quality, reliable technologies trusted by clinicians and healthcare providers globally, and is recognized as one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. With Dr. Dinc, author of ‘Digital Health: The Impact of Technology on Healthcare’, at the helm keeping INVAMED on this course of boundless innovation, it is clear that the future for this leading producer of high-quality medical devices is incredibly bright. To learn more about its award-winning cardiovascular devices, endovascular products, and other such solutions, visit INVAMED at its web address, listed below. Company: INVAMED Web Address: https://www.invamed.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invamedhealthinc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/invamed-health-inc X: https://x.com/invamed_inc “Innovate for Life.” Please tell me about your firm, the work you do and the types of clients with whom you work. What is your firm/ department’s specific focus, and how did you come to define this through research or previous experience? INVAMED is a global medical technology company specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced medical devices addressing 17 surgical branches. The company operates a large-scale production and research facility spanning more than 60,000 square meters, including 20,000 square meters of open area, and features cleanroom-certified production spaces to support precision-driven medical device manufacturing. Through its international distribution network, INVAMED delivers patient-centric solutions that meet and exceed international healthcare standards, serving more than 4 million patients annually through a portfolio of over 35,000 SKUs and a commercial footprint in over 70 countries. Do you have any previous plans which have recently come into fruition? INVAMED recently launched its Medical Innovation Institute (MII), a milestone in its commitment to advancing healthcare technologies. Tell us about your specific sector currently. Are there any major challenges or outside influences it faces? The med-tech industry is rapidly moving toward minimally invasive technologies and smart medical devices. With this in mind, when working in such a vital and dynamic industry, how do you ensure your firm stays at the forefront of emerging industry developments? Regulatory compliance is the foundation of operations at INVAMED as well as following field-oriented strategies where the R&D team observe live cases and maintain direct feedback loops with surgeons. Additionally, INVAMED participates in international congresses and academic collaborations to maintain a front row seat in the future of the industry. What would you say is your unique selling point? INVAMED brings together advanced manufacturing, engineering, and medical expertise to deliver a wide range of technologies across healthcare and industry. Its medical portfolio spans Under the leadership of Dr. Rasit Dinc, Chairman of the Board, INVAMED has been recognised as the Medical Device Innovator of the Year 2026. INVAMED is a global medical technology company specialising in the research, development, and manufacturing of advanced medical devices. Its technologies span a wide range of medical innovations, including treatments for varicose veins. Following this recognition, we spoke with Dr. Dinc to learn more about the company’s work. Medical Device Innovator of the Year 2026
8 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 Based in Paris, SYNAPTYS neuroscience has spent more than ten years developing a new drug candidate capable of transforming the lives of patients with Alzheimer’s. The purpose of the drug is simply to provide patients and their loved ones with a simple, affordable solution to enhance quality of life and help those with the disease to live a longer, more fulfilling life. With there having been no adequate treatment to Alzheimer’s provided to date, SYNAPTYS aims to be the first, all thanks to its advanced combination therapy. Inspired by advances in oncology, the company has created SYS0108, a conjugated-action drug designed to protect the functions of the brain by reaching the centre of its physiological mechanisms. Comprising memantine and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the drug offers precise targeting of the cerebral receptors involved in the NMDA and vitamin D receptors, which have been proven to play significant roles in neurogenerative diseases. Everything from the molecules screening to the dosage has been thoroughly researched by the company in a process that dates all the way back to 2010, when Sébastien Lasnier first discovered the synergy between vitamin D3 and memantine. Devoting more than ten years to exploring, validating, and then patenting this approach, SYNAPTYS’ first decade was very much about this idea taking shape. Then, over the next four years, in silico studies and pre-clinical in vitro studies would both be performed for the first time. Whilst SYS-0108 is still in the in vivo preclinical results stage, with the first human study planned for 2028, previous in vitro preclinical studies completed boasted promising results, with approximately 42% of injured neurones preserved when the four special conditions that the drug is patented for are met. This represents a significant improvement to the 8% offered by memantine and the 2% offered through vitamin D3 alone, underpinning the powerful synergy that exists between these two potentially transformative molecules. B Unlike oncology, where big steps have been made in treatments such as breast cancer, the field of neurology has been late to introduce combination therapies to treat patients. This is especially true of Alzheimer’s, which is irrefutably one of the most terrible things a person can face. With there being one new case of Alzheimer’s detected somewhere in the world every three seconds, it is clear more needs to be done to help in the fight against its debilitating symptoms. Aiding in this is SYNAPTYS neuroscience, which we discovered more about from its CEO, Sébastien Lasnier. However, this is just the beginning, as Sébastien explained: “This year we are starting a new in vivo preclinical study. We shall test the efficacy of SYS-0108 on three different types of memory and biomarkers in Alzheimer’s mice: Aß accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration.” The study, which focuses on compartmental cognition and biomarkers, is set to be completed alongside INSERM, which is the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research and one of the country’s leading research institutions. This is just the first stage in what is a comprehensive five-year plan, and set to include the company moving on to a round of Series A funding between 2028 and 2031. Having spent more than 10 years on this already, Sébastien is confident his programme of combination therapy will meet the target, especially given that, in independent studies from earlier this year, the molecules comprising the drug demonstrated a reduction in mortality and a slowing down of the ageing process. Just imagine then their impact on Alzheimer’s. Despite having the science on its side, SYNAPTYS is experiencing the same struggle that befalls almost all biotech start-ups – finding enough money for their development. So far, the company has been able to find a way to make this funding possible, but as it progresses further along its journey, things will only become more expensive. For example, whilst it needs around €2.6 million for the rest of preclinical program (Tox, PK/PD, ADME), and CMC and regulatory affairs. It will also need around €35 million for its Series A funding, with around 80% of this going towards R&D costs. Although there are many challenges ahead, the combination of Sébastien’s tenacity and the teams of experts he has assembled over the last 12 months (including across its scientific and strategic boards), demonstrates alignment under this shared goal of fighting Alzheimer’s. We wish Sébastien and the rest of the team at SYNAPTYS neuroscience all the best as they continue the development of the SYS-0108 drug, championing the company’s dedication by naming it the Alzheimer’s Drug Development Company of the Year 2026. Contact: Sébastien Lasnier Company: SYNAPTYS neuroscience Web Address: https://synaptys.com/ Alzheimer’s Drug Development Company of the Year 2026 SYNAPTYS neuroscience: A New Hope Against Alzheimer’s
9 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 “Public trust is not about asking people to accept all innovation equally. It is about making sure technologies are discussed in their proper context, with clear information on applications, evidence, risk assessment, trade-offs, and consumer choice.” Launched in December 2023, the B-Trust Project was born from the recognition that many trust barriers surrounding biotechnology are not purely technical but also rooted in fears of unintended consequences, a sense that technologies may be unnecessary, and the feeling that decisions are being made over the heads of consumers, farmers, and other end-users. In response, the project aims to create a more inclusive process for understanding these barriers. B-Trust brings together a multidisciplinary European consortium including Flanders’ FOOD, coordinating the project, Food & Bio Cluster Denmark, FOOD+i, flanders.bio, VIB, Alice down the rabbit hole and LAMA, combining expertise in agri-food and biobased innovation, life sciences, co-creation, social innovation, communication and evaluation. Since its inception, B-Trust has been on a mission to develop a transparent and inclusive governance model for applying biotechnology in the bio-based and agri-food sectors, with a clear focus on consumer and environmental safety, stakeholder engagement, and the exchange of good practice. The project is currently working towards answering one of the most important questions in biotechnology today: not simply whether innovation is possible, but under what conditions it becomes trustworthy, transparent, and socially robust. “B-Trust’s distinctive strength is that it approaches biotechnology through trustworthiness rather than persuasion,” Sofia told us. “It starts from the premise that trust is not something you can demand from the public. It has to be built through transparency, participation, evidence, and good practice.” This ethos is evident in all that B-Trust does, especially within the development of its co-creation programme. Rather than treating trust as a communication issue alone, the project has translated its learning into a structured and usable approach that helps actors engage relevant stakeholders early, identify trust barriers, and work towards more transparent and inclusive implementation. The programme follows four phases – Explore, Involve, Assess, and Co-design – moving from risk-benefit mapping and stakeholder analysis to the identification of trust barriers and, finally, to the joint development of practical responses such as guidelines, good practices, and implementation measures. It is designed to support Though biotechnology has demonstrated considerable benefits in boosting the economy, creating jobs, and contributing to public and environmental health, there remain significant obstacles in terms of consumer perceptions and concerns. The B-Trust Project is a Horizon Europe project aiming to strengthen trust in biotechnology by developing a structured co-creation programme. We heard more below from Sofia Ros, Project Manager for the FOOD+i Cluster and spokesperson for the B-Trust Project. Best Biotechnology Trust & Co-Creation Governance Initiative 2026 – Europe both broader technology areas and very specific applications, making it a flexible resource for policymakers, researchers, industry, and other stakeholders. The team has also developed the B-Trust Forum, a practical space for continued stakeholder exchange and access to project resources. Users can access recordings from previous webinars and masterclasses, articles and project updates, the B-Trust learning module, podcast content, and opportunities to connect with other stakeholders. It extends the value of the B-Trust Project beyond individual events, creating a more lasting space for knowledge-sharing and dialogue. B-Trust approaches its conclusion in May 2026, and the focus has shifted to legacy. Now, Sofia shared: “The most important question is no longer simply what the project has explored, but what it leaves behind for stakeholders.” One of the project’s lasting contributions is its co-creation programme, which was designed to identify the hurdles limiting acceptance and market uptake before translating them into workable responses. In addition to general biotechnology, this programme can also be deployed for specific technologies, applications, or cases. In this sense, B-Trust leaves behind not only a set of findings, but a practical way of working. The work conducted by B-Trust has demonstrated that trustbuilding should begin by separating applications, clarifying evidence, acknowledging uncertainty, comparing real alternatives, and making transparency and choice visible to affected actors. This approach has proven useful, allowing B-Trust to leave a legacy that includes a clearer public-interest framework for discussing biotechnology. Far more than studying attitudes, B-Trust has shown how dialogue, co-creation, and evidence can be turned into a more credible and transparent approach to innovation governance, cementing its status as Europe’s Best Biotechnology Trust and Co-Creation Governance Initiative 2026. B-Trust is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under Grant Agreement No. 101134847. Contact: Sofia Ros Company: B-Trust Project Web Address: www.btrustproject.eu
10 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 From its base in Michigan, BioLogic Pharma Solutions has served as one of the industry’s most promising medical affairs consulting firms since opening its doors in 2024. At its core, the firm supports precommercial, pre-clinical, and resource- constrained biotech and pharmaceuticals companies pioneering new, gamechanging therapies. Its work in fractional medical affairs is particularly notable, with the firm providing senior-level expertise to its clients on a scalable, as-needed basis. To find out more about this, we spoke with BioLogic’s CEO, Mary Hames. For a little over two years now, BioLogic has been revolutionising the way biotech and pharma companies approach product development, with its flexible model of project-based consulting eradicating the need for expensive and risky FTEs, ultimately making launching products faster, more efficient, and less expensive. To help clients achieve this, BioLogic’s consulting includes strategic planning, trial recruitment, patient identification, medical communications, and more. “We have diverse experience and skills aligned with what’s emerging in this market now: diagnostics, AI, clinical trial execution, KOL engagement, patient ID, and congress planning” - Mary Hames, CEO Making all of this possible is the ‘dream team’ behind BioLogic, comprising employees with decades of first-hand industry experience. The dream team excels in flexibility, knowledge of a client company’s therapeutic area, and understanding their business goals. Their work is deliberately designed as an alternative to traditional medical affairs staffing models, which are often too rigid or expensive for emerging companies, with every engagement focused on tailored, impact-driven execution Exploring this in more detail, Mary told us: “We offer a unique business model that provides comprehensive fractional medical affairs support, acting as an extension of our clients’ organisations. Our crossfunctional team seamlessly integrates with clients, adapting to their evolving needs while ensuring strategic alignment. This flexible, scalable approach optimizes resources, reduces financial risk, and enhances efficiency throughout the therapeutic development and regulatory process.” Guided by this unique approach, BioLogic has been making waves in the biotech and pharma space since the beginning, but this past year has marked a period of notable impact. . Among their achievements, BioLogic led national Phase 3 site outreach and feasibility efforts for a rare disease trial, leading to significant interest across the US, with approximately a third now enrolled or actively planning to participate. Building on this momentum, BioLogic created a new patient-facing website to support disease and study education. Building on its work identifying genetic testing gaps last year, BioLogic has also expanded its rare disease portfolio to include Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS). With no approved therapies and limited natural history data, BioLogic developed and presented a structured framework at the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD, aimed at characterizing the natural history of CLS and integrating existing datasets to identify gaps and opportunities for drug development. The proposed framework offers a feasible path toward therapeutic readiness and supports earlyphase clinical trial design for a condition that has long lacked both a dedicated registry and measurable clinical endpoints. These capabilities position BioLogic as a meaningful partner for the biotech and pharma companies it serves, many of which are navigating rapid change while working to bring new products to market. In this environment, BioLogic’s scalable, flexible modelhelps clients deescalate high-pressure situations and manage complexity without sacrificing quality, despite limited funding and strict industry regulations. Dr. Hames was pleased to share that some of the programs BioLogic is making possible are unique treatments with a lot of potential. The firm’s work is conducted in full alignment with FDA, EMA, and GDPR standards, with the team actively engaging regulatory and advocacy organizations to ensure ongoing compliance and appropriate patient engagement. Clients benefit from a partner that consistently upholds and embodies the highest standards. Looking ahead, BioLogic’s goals for 2H 2026 and beyond include expanding its fractional medical affairs model to support more precommercial biotech companies. BioLogic is launching new tools, partnerships, and initiatives to speed drug development with fellow pioneers in the space. All of this will see the firm remain a beacon of trust for discerning companies looking for a measurable impact. Further information on BioLogic Pharma Solutions and its fractional medical affairs services can be found below. Contact: Mary Hames Company: BioLogic Pharma Solutions Web Address: https://biologicpharmasolutions.com/ Best Emerging Biotech & Pharmaceutical Consulting Firm 2026 – USA & GHP Client Service Excellence Award 2026 BioLogic Pharma Solutions
11 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 or more than three decades, Altasciences has partnered with sponsors to enable smarter, faster, and more confident early drug development decision-making. The integrated early-phase drug development organisation works alongside pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and biotech companies to accelerate their programmes with intention by aligning nonclinical safety, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, and formulation and manufacturing within one organisation. Altasciences has grown steadily since its inception in 1995, earning renown for its ability to reduce development timelines by up to 40%. The company has expanded its capabilities and reach along the way, adding facilities across North America and establishing a presence in the UK. Today, Altasciences boasts nine facilities and is strategically structured to eliminate common bottlenecks that can slow early drug development. “For over 30 years, we’ve intentionally built the infrastructure, processes, and culture needed to make early-phase development more seamless and predictable for sponsors,” Marie-Hélène told us. “Our Acceleration Platform is designed to anticipate challenges, streamline transitions, and keep programmes moving efficiently, giving sponsors a simpler path forward to reach their critical inflection points faster.” While other CROs and CDMOs offer many of the same services, few are structured in such a truly intergrated and synchronised way, and none offer the same full breadth of end-to-end services. Altasciences understands that nonclinical, clinical pharmacology, bioanalysis, and manufacturing do not operate independently from one another, but are in fact aligned, and must be navigated with teams and systems that communicate in real time and operations that are centrally managed. At Altasciences, every component of early-phase drug development is brought together within one coordinated organisation. This model enables the team to expedite R&D timelines by parallel processing certain key activities, such as overlapping safety assessment with IND and CTA submission preparation and Phase I and II clinical conduct and integrated bioanalysis. In doing so, Altasciences successfully reduces development timelines and saves sponsors time, resources, and unnecessary frustration. To remain at the forefront of the early-phase drug development space, Altasciences pays meticulous attention to compliance, aligning closely with regulatory agency guidelines, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch, the UK’s In early-phase development, sponsors are often tasked with navigating a fragmented system: coordinating multiple CROs, managing separate timelines, and bridging communication gaps between siloed teams. When combined with the rising costs of drug development, uncertainty regarding regulatory changes, and scaled-back pipelines, sponsors are feeling an immense pressure to accelerate their time to market. Enter Altasciences, a drug development organisation that removes the need for multiple service providers by offering a simplified pathway for early-phase drug development programmes. We heard more from Altasciences’ Chief Executive Officer, Marie-Hélène Raigneau, as the company is named in the Biotechnology and Lifesciences Awards 2026. Best Biopharmaceutical CRO 2026 MHRA, the European Medicines Agency, and many more, as well as the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use. But that’s not all; in 2025, Altasciences announced a strategic collaboration with Evidence Matters to advance AIenhanced text for regulatory writing. In doing so, it aims to generate deeper insights, improve operational efficiencies, and maintain a competitive edge. This partnership allows the company to move with the times while aligning with evolving international regulatory expectations, ultimately helping sponsors to move faster with confidence. The drug development industry is constantly evolving, and early-phase studies are becoming increasingly complex, with growing demand for early proof-of-concept exploration and the assessment of expanded datasets and multiple endpoints in first-in-human trials. Looking to the future, Altasciences is anticipating continued momentum in the number of incretin-based therapeutic (such as GLP1) programmes moving through development. To remain fast and agile for its clients, the company is actively exploring opportunities to expand its facilities and further enhance its capabilities. Each investment promises to strengthen its Acceleration Platform, streamline processes, and ensure that Altasciences continues to deliver high-quality results with speed, ease, and flexibility. “Altasciences was founded on the belief that integration, accountability, and scientific excellence can simplify early-phase drug development,” Marie-Hélène concluded. “And of course, listening to our clients remains central to our strategy. Through ongoing client engagement and the structured efforts of our Client Experience team, we continuously refine and improve the sponsor journey. “As we look ahead, our commitment to great science, patient safety, and doing things the right way will remain constant, grounded in a collaborative culture that continues to drive our success.” Contact: Julie-Ann Cabana Company: Altasciences Web Address: www.altasciences.com F
12 GHP Biotechnology & Lifesciences Awards 2026 Based in Suffolk, Quagilance is an independent pharmacovigilance quality assurance company that specialises in global PV compliance, audit, and quality oversight across the life sciences sector. The firm provides strategic quality assurance support to biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and advanced-therapy organisations, with a particular strength within complex, multi-vendor and multi-territory PV environments. Quagilance’s operations span the full PV lifecycle, and includes global vendor and partner audits, affiliate and system audits, qualitymanagement system assessments, inspection readiness, and targeted regulatory compliance reviews. Its clients range from early-stage and mid-sized biotechnology companies preparing for first approvals, through to established global pharmaceutical organisations requiring independent oversight of outsourced PV activities. Rather than providing operational PV services, Quagilance was intentionally positioned to sit outside day-to-day case processing, enabling the objective evaluation of systems, processes, and governance models. This focus was defined through extensive prior experience working within both sponsor organisations and service providers, where recurring gaps were observed in oversight, role clarity, escalation pathways, and the practical application of global PV regulations. “Through years of hands-on experience across Europe, the UK, North America, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and emerging markets, it became clear that regulatory non-compliance most often arises from fragmented responsibilities, poorly adapted ‘copy-paste’ procedures, and insufficient independent challenge of outsourced activities,” Ejaz told us. “Quagilance was therefore established to address this gap by providing pragmatic, risk-based quality assurance support that is grounded in real regulatory expectations rather than theoretical compliance models.” Ejaz Butt is a PVQA consultant boasting more than two decades of experience across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. He has supported organisations from early clinical development through to commercial readiness, completing more than 200 successful PV B As the life sciences sector becomes increasingly complex, the need for independent, specialist pharmacovigilance (PV) quality assurance (QA) is now crucial. This ensures that pharmaceutical products meet stringent safety and quality standards, safeguarding patient safety and public trust. Ejaz Butt is a globally renowned pharmacovigilance auditor and the bright mind behind leading PVQA consultancy Quagilance. We spoke with Ejaz below to learn more, as Quagilance is named in the Biotechnology and Lifesciences Awards 2026. audits around the world. Ejaz is an Honorary Fellowship Member of the Pharmaceutical Information and Pharmacovigilance Association, past President of PIPA, and a GVP committee member of the RQA. Quagilance operates as an independent specialist consultancy rather than a traditional multi-staff firm which, for Ejaz, was a deliberate choice and not a constraint. Where collaboration or additional capacity is required, the firm works selectively with a small network of highly experienced pharmacovigilance and quality assurance professionals. These individuals are engaged based on demonstratable regulatory expertise, and a shared commitment to integrity, objectivity, and patient safety. The firm further distinguishes itself through its exclusive focus on independent pharmacovigilance quality assurance combined with Ejaz’s hands-on global expertise. By not providing operational pharmacovigilance services, Quagilance maintains true independence and objectivity when assessing systems, processes, and governance models. Each engagement is grounded in how pharmacovigilance actually functions within the client’s environment, providing recommendations that are both regulator-aligned and operationally realistic. As an independent specialist consultancy, the priority for Quagilance remains delivering high-quality, regulator-aligned pharmacovigilance quality assurance support whilst adapting to the evolving needs of biotechnology and life sciences organisations. Looking to the future, the focus for 2026 is on consolidation, refinement, and selective growth over expansion for its own sake. A key area of focus for the firm will be the further development of structured, risk-based PV oversight frameworks that support organisations operating increasingly complex outsourced and hybrid models. Building on recent work, these frameworks will continue to integrate audit intelligence, contract review, governance assessment, and CAPA trending to help clients demonstrate sustained control and inspection readiness. Quagilance also plans to expand inspection-readiness and remediation support, particularly for biotechnology companies approaching first approvals or navigating post-inspection commitments. Additionally, it will continue developing mentoring and knowledge-sharing initiatives within the pharmacovigilance QA community, reflecting a longer-term commitment to supporting professional standards and consistency across the sector, particularly as demand for PVQA expertise continues to grow. Contact: Ejaz Butt Company: Quagilance Ltd Web Address: www.quagilance.com Leading Innovator in Life-Science Safety & Compliance 2026
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