Leading pharmaceutical manufacturer Aesica is celebrating following the presentation of two awards from NEPIC at its annual awards dinner, which recognised the achievements of two individuals within the company.
Dr Susan Daly was recognised with the Young Achiever Award for the pharmaceutical industry and ceo Dr Robert Hardy was presented with the Outstanding Contribution Award.
The NEPIC (Northeast of England Process Industry Cluster) Annual Awards are designed to recognise the success and achievements of members operating in the hi-tech manufacturing marketplace including the chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical and biotechnology sectors among others. The awards provide a platform from which to celebrate the vital contribution the manufacturing and process industries are making to the regional, national and global economy.
Dr Hardy was honoured for his contribution to the pharmaceutical industry throughout a career that has spanned three decades and seen him play a pivotal role in the success of BASF before founding Aesica in 2004. With Dr Hardy’s expertise and leadership, Aesica is now one of the UK’s fastest growing companies and in the last five years has doubled its turnover and its workforce.
With 1,300 staff across 10 sites in the UK, Europe, Asia and America, the company’s long-term vision is to be the number one supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients and formulated products to the pharmaceutical industry, which is being seen through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions.
‘I am extremely proud to have been honoured with the Outstanding Contribution Award. The last eight years since forming Aesica have been the most exhilarating of my career and I am delighted that we are recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in the north east and the UK as a whole,’ said Dr Hardy. ‘I am accepting the award on behalf of every member of our team around the world as without their dedication, expertise and drive, my initial vision would not have been realised.’
Dr Daly, now a product manager, was acknowledged for her contribution to the sustained growth of Aesica. She joined Aesica after having graduated in Medicinal Chemistry and completed a Ph.D in Synthetic Organic Chemistry. Her career at Aesica began as a chemist in the development lab, working on process improvement and new product development and later focusing on environmentally friendly manufacturing.
By supporting the company’s community work in the north east, Dr Daly has helped inspire local school children and aspiring chemists to follow her path into the science and technology arena.
‘To have been recognised by NEPIC and my industry peers is a great honour and I am delighted to have received the award,’ she said. ‘I joined Aesica upon completion of my PhD and have been fortunate to work across a range of areas in the business from the lab through to my current role in the commercial team. It has been this diversity coupled with the dynamic vision and approach Aesica has that has inspired and motivated me to succeed.’