2006 Growth Company of the Year

Durham-based Parata Systems has developed a unique robotic dispensing system to help pharmacies fill prescriptions. The company’s technology counts up to 30 tablets/second to accurately process up to 154 prescriptions an hour. The company has grown rapidly from 50 employees to over 250 employees in the past two years. In May 2006, the company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of publicly-traded McKesson Corporation’s Automated Prescription Systems business unit. McKesson will become the sole third-party distributor for all Parata products in North America and become a significant minority investor in Parata.

[ Watch the pre-recorded acceptance speech ]