Morningside Pharmaceuticals’ Chief Executive Dr Nik Kotecha OBE has won a national award for taking an innovative approach to growing our business.
Dr Kotecha was named as Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. He won through to the national finals in London, after winning his category at the regional ceremony for the Midlands, last year.
After scooping the award, Dr Kotecha said: “I am truly humbled to be recognised nationally in this way and would like to thank my team for all of their support and hard work, as without them, this wouldn’t be possible.
“It’s our 27th year and what makes me really proud is seeing my team grow into leaders themselves. So this is for them.”
Since Morningside’s inception in the 1990s, the company has supplied quality medicines to more than 100 countries internationally, as well as become one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of generic and branded medicines to UK pharmacies and hospitals.
The company began as a garage start-up and Dr Kotecha has since grown the business by using innovation to embrace challenges with heavy investment, including research and development, and launching new niche molecules.
Dr Kotecha said: “Through taking an innovative approach we have been able to develop novel ways for patients to take their medicine, which has provided greater choice for both patients and pharmacists.”
Some examples of this innovative approach include being the first to launch the generic version of the contractive pill to the UK, in 2010, as well as creating slow and prolonged release tablets.
Dr Kotecha also dedicates his time and resources to supporting many philanthropic causes, and works with a number of local and national business organisations in the community.
For the Innovation Entrepreneur of the Year category the judges were looking for tenacious and analytical innovators, who are creative and problem solvers by nature, with a real drive to improve their sectors and challenge the status quo.
Speaking about what impressed the judges Safaraz Ali, from Pathway Group, added: “A very impressive success story with social investment alongside international expansion.”
Awards judge Elliott Denham, from Growth Enabler, added: “Dr Kotecha’s commercial acumen, combined with his in-depth research background, has enabled both Morningside and himself to become even more charitable when experiencing growth.”