Biotech chief wins Potts chemistry award

The prize is awarded by the University of Liverpool annually in honour of the chemist Harold Edwin Potts, with the winner chosen by members of the institution’s student Chemistry Society.

Receiving his honour at a ceremony Colbon said: “It was very special to receive the Potts Medal, as it gave me an opportunity to thank the hundreds of people that have supported me in my career and the development of LCC into a global company.”

Colbon studied at the University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Science and Engineering for his PhD and Masters Chemistry degrees before going on to found co-founding Liverpool ChiroChem in 2014 – coincidentally the same year that the Potts Medal was reinstated after a lull.

LCC’s products are used by globally to help towards the discovery of treatments for diseases including cancer and dementia. The business now employs 26 staff with its research and development facility based at The Heath in Runcorn, Cheshire.

LCC has retained links to the university, advising its Intellectual Property (IP) Committee on support for start-up and spin-out companies, as well as mentoring student entrepreneurs and sponsoring awards for the best performing undergraduate students.

Colbon has previously criticised the overall lack of science park provision in the north of England compared to the south east, saying his own company had been fortunate to have secured space at the Heath.

Added Colbon: “I keep in close contact with the chemistry department, and I know the world-leading research they’re undertaking in digitisation and automation of chemistry will have a wide-reaching impact on drug discovery, materials science and the green economy.”

The award’s namesake Harold Edwin Potts graduated from Liverpool with a BSc Chemistry in 1906, followed by an MSc in 1907).  The original award was established in 1933 to recognise outstanding contribution to chemistry with the winner chosen by members of the university’s student chemistry society, ChemSoc.

The Potts Medal award ceased in 2001 but was then revived, thanks to an anonymous alumni donation in 2014. The first recipient was Professor Alison Ashcroft in 2015.

John Lewis MBE, the head of SOG Group, owner and operator of The Heath, commented: “Our business and technical park is renowned for the unique facilities and level of specialist support that we offer to the many scientific-related businesses that operate from here.

“These companies are doing immensely important ground-breaking research to benefit us all. I am delighted to see that Paul Colbon has received this very prestigious accolade in recognition of his personal contribution to science, an area where the UK are global leaders in research and development.”