Dunedin biomedical company Pacific Edge Biotechnology (Pebl) is a finalist in a competition with $1 million in research and development services as a prize.
Pebl and Fisher and Paykel Appliances, which still has a research and development site and call centre in Dunedin, are two of 10 companies in the competition sponsored by Industrial Research Ltd (IRL) called What's Your Problem, New Zealand?
IRL provides scientific and engineering services and selected the 10 finalists from more than 100 entries.
The competition website said the contest was designed to raise the profile of research and development and to encourage companies to improve long-term productivity and profitability through investment in research.
Pebl develops and commercialises technology that uses non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose the early stages of cancer.
Early detection can allow treatment and management that provides victims with a better quality of life.
It has previously announced it has three products in, or expected to soon be in, clinical trials for the early detection of bladder cancer, monitoring for the recurrence of bladder cancer and a prognostic tool for colorectal cancer.
It was also developing tools for clinicians to diagnose and monitor gastric, melanoma, endometrial and prostate cancers.
The other finalists are: Dynamic Controls, Gallagher Group, Glidepath, Group3 Technology, Mars Petcare NZ, PowerShield, Pultron Composites and Resene Paints.
