Pharmaceutical major Vitabiotics, founded by an Indian-origin entrepreneur in the UK, today became the first vitamin company in the country's history to receive the Queen's award for innovation for the second time.
 

Kartar Singh Lalvani founded the company in London in 1971. It was awarded for its Perfectil beauty vitamins range. According to an official release, "this is the first and only time that a vitamin company has received the award for innovation on two occasions. "It marks the fourth Queen's Award that the company has received, including the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation for its Pregnacare vitamin research in 2013". It represents multiple innovations in the field of cosmetic science and nutrition, underpinned by a portfolio of granted and filed patents, as well as being the first choice of beauty experts and celebrities including Nicole Scherzinger.

A groundbreaking Perfectil clinical trial showed for the first time that supplementation can help protect against the ageing effects of harsh winter weather on the skin. The pioneering work led to Vitabiotics founder and chairman Lalvani receiving an honorary professorship from the University of Franche-Comt. This was the first time the award of professorship was given by the University to a British scientist in the field of dermatology.

Commenting on the new Queen's Award, company President Kartar Lalvani said: "Vitabiotics is immensely honoured to once again receive the Queen's Award for Innovation, in recognition of our unique and highly successful Perfectil research and innovation. "This accolade is a testament to Vitabiotics and I would like to thank all of our dedicated staff, customers, suppliers and research partners".