The business awarded up to £55,850 towards the set up of an 18 month development programme  to build on the success of its R&D of the last three years. The potential products use anti-inflammatory agents to improve joint health and intestinal health and in skin care to promote anti-aging. The development programme will complete the R&D process and bring two new products to market.

In order to support the development programme, Glycomar has also been awarded up to £17,000 from HIE to support marketing and staff training over the next year. Marketing assistance will be used for design costs, a marketing communications programme and attending relevant international trade exhibitions. Some will also be used to fund staff training in marketing and on increasing scientific knowledge and skills.

Charlie Bavington, (right) ME of Glycomar , said: "It is very satisfying to see our research activity progressing through development to a marketable product. This is an important step for GlycoMar which has been made possible by support from investors and HIE."

Lachie Beaton, account manager at HIE, said: "Glycomar is an exciting business and one which is leading in the field of biotechnology research using fisheries by-products and marine microalgae. These two products have the potential to be a major success commercially and we are looking forward to working with Glycomar on these and future projects."

Glycomar, which means "sweet sea", makes its products from a wide range of invertebrate animals, including starfish, shellfish, sponges, sea squirts, and from marine microaglae.