VASCUTEK won the Queen’s Award for Innovation 2016 in April following the development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid, a surgical graft used to treat thoracic aortic disease, which affects the aorta, the largest artery in the body.

The device, which is manufactured in Scotland, removes the need for a second major operation to treat the condition. It also significantly reduces the number of deaths after surgery, from eighteen per cent to seven per cent.

This prestigious award was presented to the company’s President & CEO, Mr Paul Holbrook, on Tuesday, 8 November, by Her Majesty the Queen’s representative, the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Mr Guy Clark. This award marks the latest success for Vascutek, which has now received eight Queen’s Awards in the company’s 34 year history.

The ceremony took place at the company’s global headquarters in Inchinnan and was attended by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mrs Brighid Clark (wife of the Lord-Lieutenant) and Dr Tim Kaufeld, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Hannover Medical School.

Commenting on the Queen’s Award, Paul Holbrook, said: “We are honoured to have been recognised for the development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid and delighted to receive this eighth award.”

Development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid, a collaboration with Hannover Medical School in Germany, has led to the creation of 21 jobs at Vascutek. The device is exported to 35 countries, with another ten expected to follow in the next two years.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious accolades for businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom and recognise outstanding achievements by UK businesses in the fields of innovation, international trade or sustainable development.

Details on the Queen’s Awards are available by logging on to: www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise/overview