A technique for faster and better DNA analysis, a new method for gentle but rapid separation of bio-molecules, a sampling module for quick ATP-based hygiene checks and an advanced platform for micromechanical structures in biochemical analysis plates.These are some of the many new items and signs of progress that a dozen or so Swedish companies can show for the first time in a common national effort on their stand at Biotechnica 2001.This is also the first international announcement from the new national support agency for this field, the Swedish Bioscience Programme. The aim of this investment is via a number of co-operative projects to link up and show to the rest of the world how interesting the Nobel prize country Sweden is in the areas of biotechnology and biological science.

A dozen thriving bio-technical groups, mainly associated with and located close to universities, are the main reason why the relatively small country of Sweden has succeeded in establishing itself as the fourth largest biotechnical nation in Europe. The aim of this newly introduced government-sponsored co-operative programme is to secure this position and further increase internationalisation. Apart from its presence at trade fairs, the Swedish bio-technological industry expects to accomplish exposure at a number of international scientific seminars and conferences by means of the new programme.
For several of the participating companies Biotechnica will be an international premiere, and the first technological presentation in the hunt for markets and future co-operative partners.

Faster DNA analyses
The use of thermocycler technology in the ever more frequent analysis of DNA can dramatically reduce the time factor. Analysis times can be brought down from several hours to less than 15 minutes. This provides a quantum gain in efficiency and can also be considered as being able to contribute to a widening of the analysis technique's use far beyond the research field. In addition it ensures increased analysis quality due to reduced side effects when the degree of temperature change convection is decreased. Responsible for this new system, as with Superconvection Thermocyclers, stands Alfa Helix. This company has already attracted attention in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology area for its pipette system, known as the Capillette. This permits PCR pipetting to be speeded up without detriment to precision. (www.alphahelix.com)

Lab-on-a-chip for microvolumes
Åmic of Uppsala is for the first time going international to show examples of biotechnology based on the company's patented platform for the production of micromechanical structures in plastics. This technology creates the conditions for using extremely small fluid and reagent assay volumes for rapid, integrated analyses in biotechnological applications. One example is for HTS -High Throughput Screening - which has good prospects, not least financially. Biochemical analysis plates, so-called "Lab-on-a-chip", for cost-effective, robust and reproducible production is one practical example where Åmic has taken on a leading role. Its strategy includes alliances and co-operation with, among others, important pharmaceutical interests. An example of this is Gyros AB, specialists in surface chemistry and miniaturised laboratory processes for pharmaceutical research, also co-operation with Pyrosequencing AB in respect of systems and solutions for genetic analysis.(www.amic.se)

New ideas on ion-exchange chromatography
Zwitterion chromatography columns (ZIC) are based on a polymer-based invention from the Umeå company SeQuant, under the direction of Dr Einar Pontén, and are now being presented for the first time to an international audience. Both anions and cations can be separated simultaneously with this technique. Gentle but fast separation of such bio-molecules as proteins and even difficult to separate basic peptides are claimed as new possibilities. This technology will also open the way to applications associated with mass spectrometry. The separation principle is based on a weak electrostatic interaction between the target molecules and the ZIC column's very hydrophilic stationary phase. In addition, the company will be presenting a new technique for fixed phase assay preparation (SPEED), that will make it easy to apply fluorescent labelling to carbonyl compounds. According to the company this will facilitate the clinical analysis of steroids within such areas as sports medicine/doping tests, environmental technology and pharmaceutical development.(www.sequant.com)

A front runner in ATP analysis
Dr Arne Lundin is a well-known name in the area of luminescence analysis and is the person around whom the BioThema company has developed. The company specialises in the measurement of the important energy conversion molecule ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and the luciferase enzyme from fireflies. When it comes to the production of ATP reagents it has become dominant in Sweden and now intends to set up distribution channels and OEM relationships world wide. Applications and user areas for the technique range from hygienic quality control in a matter of minutes after cleaning of, for example, public spaces and the food industry, to quicker and more certain choice of the best cytostatic treatment and early detection of inherited diseases. (www.biothema.com)

Probiotics with ambition
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is to publish a study to show that the Swedish bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299v reduces blood pressure and the level of harmful cholesterol, while reducing the risk of embolism. This patented micro-organism is found in several of the Probis company's successful probiotic products, which are now revealed at a major international trade fair in the hunt for partners and international co-operation. This concerns a world market estimated to be worth SEK 25-30 billions annually. About 50 patents in 13 different areas are available for, among other things, licensing discussions. A marketed example is the health drink ProViva which since its launch in 1994 together with partner Skane Dairy has become a Swedish success.(www.probi.com)


Taking the lead in record time
From start-up to becoming one of Europe's largest biotech companies, with over 900 employees and a turnover of a thousand million Swedish kronor - in just a few months! This stunning performance has been achieved by Biovitrum, an offshoot of the pharmaceutical company Pharmacia, which remains a minority shareholder. The chief aim is said to be establishment on a global scale in conjunction with independent contract manufacturers without being bound to the therapeutic area, handling the business from idea to market introduction. This includes long-term partnership with the pharmaceutical industry, such as in the area of protein pharmaceuticals. The 400 researchers are carrying out important work, not least concerning metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. Treatments are aimed for example at the world's 130 million diabetes sufferers. In the plasma products division 170 000 litres of blood per year are converted into valuable pharmaceutical products for intensive care, immunology and haemophilia.(www.biovitrum.com)

Competence in launching technology
The test launch at Biotechnica of the CoolHeater magnetic stirrer from AB Implementa Hebe - which both heats and cools - is a practical example of how the European Institute of Science wants to operate. With its own competence, laboratories, equipment and growth finance this institution exploits medical technology products and helps to start up companies which are only at the ideas stage, providing close co-operation with researchers and inventors. Biological applications of magnetism is a specialist area that has resulted in three offshoot companies, a scientific permeability instrument and a number of projects associated with MIT, magneto-immunotherapy, in order to develop new pharmaceuticals and instruments. This will also be the premiere for a blood analysis instrument in prototype form that is said to enable three days of response time to be reduced to 20 minutes for such tests as hormone analysis. (www.euris.org)

Similar work is being done by Newpharmaresearch AB. Via its own patents - five of which have so far been commercialised - and with its own analysis models and methods, molecules are synthesised and techniques developed for finding new or improved pharmaceuticals, commencing from identified market needs. New application areas for existing pharmaceutical products will be presented within human and veterinary medicine. (www.newpharma.se)

University Research & Development (URD) is one of several Swedish exhibitors interested in partnerships who at Biotechnica will present resources in respect of converting research projects and early scientific findings into commercial success. The focus will be on around 2 000 available projects that are under way in the vicinity of Uppsala University. The resources are claimed to include a global network of scientists and researchers, and consultancy experience from 30 Swedish and international pharmaceutical companies. Among the projects that can be mentioned are Cellscreen for identification of new chemical substances with anti-cancer activity for tumour cells, Cellsense for tests in laboratory conditions of pharmaceutical response to cancer therapy and CLIPS, a bio-information system for individualised pharmaceutical management in clinical practices.

Stockholm- future biotechnical meeting place
Sweden's capital Stockholm and its associated business company Stockholmsmässan (Stockholm Trade Fairs) wants, by means of its participation in Biotechnica, to stimulate interest in and visitor attendance at the BioTech Forum during 28-30 November 2001.

By means of exhibitions, seminars and matchmaking the aim is to bring together biotechnology researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, the industry and marketing organisations in the largest event of its type in Scandinavia. (www.stofair.se)
The city's fathers also harbour great ambitions through a recent decision to make a determined investment in Stockholm Bioscience - major biotechnology- and an infrastructure project in close co-operation with the renowned Karolinska Institute. The project cost is estimated at approximately SEK 20 thousand million. Hundreds of biotechnology companies combined into a large scientific community and technological association would create thousands of new jobs in the immediate vicinity of the capital.
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Caption:
The Magneto Immuno Assay Reader Analysis instrument has a background in the European Institute of Science - EURIS. This is just one example of the interesting products to be launched at Biotechnica 2001. Within the framework of the Swedish Bioscience Programme a joint Swedish investment is under way with a dozen or so Swedish companies.