BioUtah announces annual awardees at BioHive Summit

Rex S. Spendlove, life sciences pioneer and founder of Hyclone Laboratories in Logan, has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by BioUtah, the state’s life sciences trade association. The honor was presented at the organization’s Renalytix BioHive Summit, held virtually on Nov. 12.

Also honored were Sunny Sanyal, CEO of Varex Imaging, as Executive of the Year; Dr. Greg Critchfield, CEO of Sera Prognostics, as Entrepreneur of the Year; and Co-Diagnostics, which received BioUtah’s Innovation Impact Award. The University of Utah’s Partners for Innovation, Ventures, Outreach & Technology Center (PIVOT) was named a Friend of Industry.

“We congratulate this year's award winners,” said Kelvyn Cullimore, president and CEO of BioUtah. “Each individual and company receiving an award has made their mark on our industry, pushing the boundaries of innovation to advance life sciences and bringing hope and life-changing technologies to patients the world over.”

“Those being honored represent the exceptional BioHive community we have here in Utah,” said Katelin Roberts, executive director of BioHive, a chartered organization of BioUtah with a mission is to brand, build and bring together Utah’s life sciences and healthcare innovation community. “We’re proud to celebrate their notable achievements.”

BioUtah said Spendlove was honored for his “life-long dedication and significant contributions to Utah’s life sciences industry as a distinguished scientist, inventor, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for ground-breaking medical research and innovation.” Spendlove led the creation of a robust life sciences hub in the Cache Valley, driving new healthcare technologies and employing thousands of Utahns, BioUtah’s statement said. Spendlove continues to be active in the industry at the age of 95.

The citation honoring Sanyal said the award was the result of “his outstanding leadership as part of Utah’s life sciences community and for successfully advancing his company’s vision and mission to deliver high-quality and innovative imaging products and services to improve healthcare and help save lives.” His company employs over 1,000 workers in Utah.

Critchfield was cited for his work in building companies involved in women’s health and patient care, beginning with Salt Lake City-based Myriad Genetics in 1998, followed by Sera Prognostics in 2010. He has taken Sera Prognostics from seed-stage to public offering over the past 11 years. 

Co-Diagnostics was honored for the company’s “high-quality, cost-efficient” COVID-19 test, which is deployed in the U.S. and throughout the world. Co-Diagnostics CEO Dwight Egan accepted the award on behalf of the company.

Keith Marmer, chief innovation and economic engagement officer for the University of Utah, accepted the Friend of Industry award on behalf of the PIVOT, cited for its long-standing partnership with BioUtah and Utah’s life sciences industry and “its commitment to fostering innovation and economic development.”