Sabine Bahn, co-founder of Psynova Neurotech.

Two University of Cambridge spin-out companies have been recognised in the third annual ACES awards – which recognise the best in academic entrepreneurship from across Europe.

Cambridge was the only university with more than one finalist and the only one to win more than one of the awards, which were presented in Zurich by the Science/Business Innovation Board.

Sabine Bahn and Chris Lowe, co-founders of Psynova Neurotech, based at St John’s Innovation Centre, received the Life Sciences Award.

And Carlos Ludlow and Howard Chase of Enval, based at the Science Park, were recognised in the Materials/Chemistry category.

Psynova Neurotech is developing novel biomarkers that can help improve the diagnosis of psychiatric illnesses. Its first product, VeriPsych, is the only blood test available to help psychiatrists diagnose recent-onset schizophrenia.

Enval’s technology closes the recycling loop for laminated packaging waste. The company is commercialising waste recycling and environmental technologies that can recover clean aluminium from packaging waste such as toothpaste tubes.

Both companies were spun out from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at the university.

“We are delighted that our current and former researchers have been recognised in this way,” said Professor Nigel Slater, head of the department.