Managers and staff at an Oxford University spin-out company are celebrating after triumphing in a prestigious competition.

Oxitec, which which has developed a safe and sustainable approach to control mosquito-borne diseases such as Dengue Fever and Malaria, was voted the overall winner of the Martin and Audrey Wood Awards.

The company based at Milton Park, near Didcot, also claimed the Best Green Technology Award at the ceremony held at the Said Business School, Oxford.

The awards, which celebrate innovative and technology-based companies in the region, were established in honour of Sir Martin and Lady Wood, co-founders of Oxford Instruments.

The other winners were barcoding specialists PeopleVox based in High Wycombe, which won the best Information Communication Technology Award; Harwell-based Accentus Medical which claimed the Best Medical Devices and Healthcare Technologies Award and oil waste treatment firm Microbial Solutions of Upper Heyford which was given the Best Precision Engineering and Instrumentation Award.

The awards were organised by Oxford Innovation, which supports innovative companies and entrepreneurs through innovation centres with support from Science Oxford, which promotes science and enterprise.

Chris Green, Chief Executive of Oxford Innovation’s parent company, SQW Group, said: “We would like to acknowledge the achievements of everyone who entered these awards, which showcased a wealth of innovation and entrepreneurial talent in companies and individuals in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley.”

Winners will benefit from a package of prizes worth £5,000 per category, including free office space for a year in one of Oxford Innovation’s Centres.