An Argyll biotechnology company has been awarded funding from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to help launch a number of its products for the commercial market.

Glycomar Ltd, based at Dunstaffnage near Oban, is looking to bring products to market in the fields of both nutrition and cosmetics.

The business has been awarded up to £55,850 towards setting up an 18 month development programme that will build on the success of its research and development 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 12 months. The 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, managing director 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. Glycomar develops new and innovative products in the pharmaceutical, nutrition and cosmetic industries. It is based at Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory near Oban and operates within the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology (ECMB).