Drug company wins top business award

The Health industry has again come up trumps in the third and last of Auckland’s 2011 Business Excellence Awards sponsored by Westpac. Takapuna-based drug company AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd took out the supreme title at the 2011 Westpac Auckland North Business Awards on Friday night.

AFT Pharmaceuticals Ltd also won the Ministry of Science and Innovation Excellence in Design, Research & Development Award.
 
More than 620 local business people gathered at the glittering gala dinner held at North Shore Events Centre to celebrate this year’s winners and recognise business success amongst the north Auckland business community for the 14th year.

Established in 1997 and initially operating from a humble garage, AFT is now based in Takapuna and last financial year turned over more than $36 million.

With its primary market currently in New Zealand and Australia, AFT plans to use its range of research and development products to expand internationally.

Over the past five years the company has invested in drug development and has already launched two of its own products into the New Zealand market, an analgesic called Maxigesic and an allergic rhinitis treatment called Maxiclear Hayfever & Sinus Relief.

Founder and Managing Director Dr Hartley Atkinson said the potential for developing pharmaceuticals is huge and not yet fully appreciated in New Zealand by many government agencies.

“When we visit board rooms of major Multinational Pharma Companies in the USA and Europe there is genuine surprise that a company from New Zealand can be involved in drug development and manage to address some problems that they have not. It is certainly not something that is top of mind to them.”

Auckland Mayor Len Brown commended the awards as a taste of the overall business community’s success.

“Congratulations to all the 2011 winners. It is great to see these businesses sharing their stories with the local community and revelling in their success,” said Mr Brown.