Contact: David Ernstsson+46 8 783 87 01E-mail: david.ernstsson@swedishtrade.se

With 12,000 research projects currently underway - of which today only around 500 are commercial - the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm is one of the world's most exciting collaborative partners, and not just to European investors and researchers. The Institute, which is renowned internationally for its Nobel status and as the home of 8 individual prizewinners, is a part of six dynamic and rapidly-growing Swedish scientific communities involved in biotech ventures. This, combined with the researchers who work there, means ever-improving conditions, including political support for the industry's commercialisation, not least because of the researchers' own results. Sweden is therefore an interesting example of how a relatively small country, with only 8 million inhabitants, can take on a leading role and create a critical mass within the biotech and medical sector. The gamma knife, the pacemaker, ion separation techniques, prostaglandins and growth hormones are all examples of discoveries and innovations to come out of Sweden.

The EU Commission is currently producing a report on our position as Europe's leader per capita when it comes to the amount and volume of financial investment in biotech companies. Sweden is in fourth place in Europe after the United Kingdom, Germany and France, which is naturally something we wish to maintain. In October, for example, Scandinavian Biotech Arena is arranging three different yet parallel biotech-oriented events. The aim is to create Europe's largest forum for people and companies interested in the development of biotechnology.
The following dozen or so articles are but one example of what Swedish biotech companies are capable of achieving.


Retargeting of adenovirus
to eradicate cancer cells
A treatment for prostate cancer will be the first goal for Got-A-Gene, with a patented platform-technology based on genetically retargeted adenovirus as vectors. In-vivo studies on animals will begin later this year, followed by human tests in 2003.
The technology is based on re-targeting of adenovirus, targeting of tumour cells as well as tumour capillaries, and arming of viruses with a transgene specifying a tumour-killing substance. The technology also includes use of replication competent viruses and stealthing of the re-targeted viruses to evade the immune system. The company research lead by professor Leif Lindholm claims to have come further than any other research group in solving fundamental problems and now claims to be able to produce specific adenoviruses for potentially any cellular target protein. An exclusive agreement with Affibody of Sweden will give access to cutting-edge protein engineering technologies for large-scale proteomics research and the development of novel biotherapeutic and bioseparation products. Their subsidiary company Visual Bioinformatics supports, with important bioinformatics, tools for visualizing transcriptome information, including the GeneWeaver software and database solution for analysis of gene expression data in a multi-user integrated project management environment.

Contact: Professor Leif Lindholm (Head of R&D), Got-A-Gene AB,
Tel: +46 (0) 31 772 81 34; Fax: +46 (0) 31 772 81 35
E-mail: leif.lindholm@gotagene.se Website: www.gotagene.se


Successful cross-ABO transplants
The EU has certified it and the first order has been received for GlycoSorbR-ABO from Glycorex Transplantation AB. The company claims that this can facilitate successful transplants between patients with different blood groups, and will in turn help ease the problem of a shortage of organs for transplant.
During its five-year product development phase, the product has been successfully tested for the production of 'universal' plasma, which can be given to patients regardless of their blood group. The Swedish university hospitals in Huddinge and Gothenburg were the first to report effective treatment and positive patient results without side effects after transplants were carried out using the new product.
The planned European market launch will now run parallel with the start of the product's approval process in the USA.
Glycorex Transplantation AB is developing a range of carbohydrate-based products, all aimed at reducing the risk of rejection of allo and xenotransplants. Examples of these products include filters for extracorporeal treatment/dialysis, intravenous products and reagents for clinical diagnosis.

Contact: Kurt Nilsson (MD), Glycorex Transplantation AB
Tel.: +46 (0) 46 286 57 80; Fax: +46 (0) 46 286 57 81.
E-mail: glycorex.transplantation@glycorex.ideon.se.
Website: www.glycorex.se


Anti-tumour effect could cure prostate cancer
A drug to cure prostate cancer is one of the aims of the Swedish company Active Biotech. The company is currently developing a product that has an anti-tumour effect, thanks to a substance that hinders the blood supply (angiogenesis) to the tumour, and therefore prevents the supply of food and oxygen.
For this project, Active Biotech has chosen to work in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, USA. Candidates to participate in clinical trials of the drug will be chosen shortly.
The US Patent Office has granted a 'notice of allowance' on the patent being sought by Active Biotech. The patent contains product and method specifications, which will encompass products involved in the treatment of both prostate cancer and breast cancer. The patent increases the protection already granted to the company for its 'Q-competence platform', which includes SAIK-MS (multiple sclerosis).
Active Biotech is a biotech company focusing on the research and development of drugs. The company has a strong research portfolio concentrating primarily on autoimmunity, inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Contact: Sven Andréasson (MD), Active Biotech
Tel.: + 46 (0) 46 19 20 00; Fax: +46 (0) 46 19 20 50
E-mail info@activebiotech.com Website: www.activebiotech.com


Swedish bioinformatics solutions
for global use and companies
Celera Genomics, one of the leading suppliers of genetic information in addition to AstraZeneca has signed contracts for using products and platforms from Virtual Genetics Laboratory AB for Information Retrieval, text mining, data selection, annotation and representation of complex biological data.
The Celera web portal is used by thousands of researchers worldwide. Initially the licence for the bioinformatics text mining technology (Virtual Adapt) will be integrated and customised to handle Celera´s internal and external needs for literature searching and analysis.
Faster and cheaper drug development is said to be the result of development work within the Medical Chemistry Department of AstraZeneca together with bioinformatics specialist Virtual Genetics. The new application Virtual Predict Solubility creates a model that can predict water solubility on new untested drug leads with a precision of 89 and 93 %, without the need to synthesize the substance.
According to the company, this type of modelling, or "in silico" research, allows researchers the possibility of predicting the properties of different substances more quickly and at a lower cost than ever before.

Contact: Mr Mats Fahlander, Virtual Genetics Laboratory AB,
Tel.: +46 (0) 8 508 84 400; Fax +46 (0) 8 30 55 80
E-mail: mats.fahlander@vglab.com Website: www.vglab.com


First product launched in functional genomics
Global Genomics, a Stockholm and Karolinska Science Park-based biotechnology company, wants to become the leading provider of global gene expression analysis. They offer a novel enabling technology for target gene discovery, identification and validation. The first product to be launched, called Tangerine, is a global gene expression analysis system. It combines PCR with in-house developed computational algorithms to give reliable data on virtually all genes in a single experiment. The product will be the only gene expression analysis that can detect new and unknown genes, detect low-abundance genes and detect 95 percent of all genes. The major application segment will be gene and target discovery, stem cell engineering, biomarkers, toxicity testing and basic research. Leading research-intensive pharmaceutical and biotech companies will all be targeted as potential markets for Tangerine.

Contact: Ulf Boberg (MD), Global Genomics AB,
Tel.: +46 8 50884710 E-mail: ulf@globalgenomics.com Website: www.globalgenomics.com
Separation and purification of biomolecules
without hydrophobic interactions
The most common bioseparation media by far are agarose-based. Normally, agarose is too soft to give an acceptable flow rate through the column. By utilising a patented cross-linking method, the Novarose size-exclusion medium is very rigid without any severe non-specific interactions. The size-exclusion medium can then be produced as smaller particles to give high resolution and high flow properties. It is also available in three different pore sizes and two different particle sizes, as pre-packed small particles in glass columns, and larger particles for preparative separations. The Novaline series of glass columns are high-pressure resistant and fitted with titanium filters and adjustable adaptors. The columns fit both high- and low-pressure chromatography systems.
Based on the size-exclusion medium a new pre-activated simple-to-use series of agarose gels have been produced. Since the Novarose Act gels are stable at neutral pH in water, the desired affinity ligand (protein or small molecule) is added and the pH increased. Coupling yield and reproducibility is reported to be high. In comparison with the well-known cyanogen bromide activated medium, Novarose Act medium gives significantly lower leakage for, e.g. antibodies due to the company. The medium is the base for affinity media, ion-exchange media and IMAC media from Inovata, which also produces tailor-made media on request.

Contact: Göran Lindgren (R&D), INOVATA AB,
Tel.: +46 (0) 8 28 09 40; Fax: +46 (0) 8 28 02 52
E-mail info@inovata.com


Health bacteria in tablet form premieres in Japan
According to findings from Probi, a Swedish company based in Lund in southern Sweden, several of the most common risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease could be reduced with the aid of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v bacteria. The company is now going one step further by launching the bacteria in tablet form and exporting it to Japan.
A study conducted by the Pomeranian Academy of Medicine reveals that Lp 299v bacteria reduce both fibrinogen levels in the bloodstream and the notorious cholesterol levels, which in turn reduces the risk of blood clots.
In previous studies the bacterium has also revealed properties for improving conditions such as gastrointestinal disease and immune defence. Sensationally, the new study also reveals that in only six weeks the bacteria had an effect on several of the most common risk factors that contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
The latest addition to the Probi product range, the tablet, will first be sold by 500 shops owned by the Japanese health company, Natural Groups.
Probi already manufactures a number of products that contain the patented Lp 299v bacteria. The largest and most well-established product is ProViva, a health drink developed in partnership with a southern Swedish dairy. Another product is ProViva Active, which is used by professional Swedish sportsmen and women to reduce stress levels and speed up recovery following strains.

Contact: Monica Wallter (MD), Probi
Tel.: + 46 46 286 89 20; Fax: + 46 46 286 89 28
E-mail: probi@probi.se Website: www.probi.se

New screening tool
for urinary tract pathogens

The company AB Biodisk is currently preparing to launch System U3, a self interpreting reagent strip for accurate screening for susceptibility of urinary tract pathogenes. The company established itself in the field of antimicrobial resistance testing during the early 1950s, and in 1988 became internationally known as the innovator of Etest, a well-recognised product validated in more than 1000 studies. This is a patented antimicrobial gradient technique for susceptibility testing with essentially 15 reagent MIC dilutions of an antibiotic repackaged using an innovative dry chemistry technique on a "ready to use" plastic strip. The new System U3 is patented in all major markets and carries its own trademark.

Contact: Anne Bolmström (President), AB Biodisk
Tel.: +46 (0) 8 730 07 60; Fax: +46 (0) 8 83 81 58
E-mail: etest@abbiodisk.se


Trials begin of nasal diphtheria vaccine
Nasal vaccines may soon be available to the public and not just to those with a phobia of needles. This could prove a more effective and cheaper method of implementing large-scale vaccination programmes in, e.g. the Third World.
That is the opinion of Eurocine, a company based in Stockholm, which intends to begin the first phase I/II clinical trials of a nasal diphtheria vaccine during 2002.
Nasal vaccines have shown a number of positive results, the primary benefit being a simpler vaccination process, although reduced costs and a reduction in patient discomfort are also positive factors.
A number of studies have revealed that vaccines absorbed through the mucous membrane generally offer improved immunity and protection compared to traditional vaccinations.
Today, Eurocine is developing nasal vaccines against diseases such as diphtheria, tuberculosis and influenza. The company believes that this technique, once fully-developed, could be used for the majority of vaccines currently on the market.

Contact: Ulf Schröder (MD), Eurocine
Tel.: + 46 (0) 8 50 88 45 95; Fax: + 46 (0) 8 50 88 45 91
E-mail ulf@eurocine.se; Website: www.eurocine.se


BioGaia and LUNAMeD conclude agreements
BioGaia Fermentation and the Swiss biotech company LUNAMeD AG have concluded agreements regarding process development and production of materials for use in clinical trials. The collaboration will subsequently be extended to include production once the drug is launched.
LUNAMeD is developing a biotechnology-based drug for use in the treatment of cancer, which stimulates the immune system. The company will begin phase II clinical trials during 2002, which it intends to follow up with phase III trials and eventually drug registration. BioGaia Fermentation will supply LUNAMeD with the active ingredient during these clinical trials and during preliminary production once the drug has been registered.
"The agreement is just one part of BioGaia Fermentation's strategy to focus on the production process by supplying the biotechnology-based drugs industry with qualified services," says Peter Rothschild, the managing director of BioGaia. "The rapid development of this type of drug has resulted in a sharp increase in demand for our services. With so many biotech companies developing new drugs, biotech production is becoming an increasingly competitive sector."
Production is due to begin in summer 2002.
BioGaia AB is involved not only in R&D, but also in production, based on biological systems that improve the health and resistance of humans and animals to disease. The company markets licences and products on the international market, and the group consists of the parent company BioGaia AB and wholly-owned subsidiaries of BioGaia Biologics Inc. (USA) and BioGaia Fermentation AB. Shares in the group are quoted on the Stockholm stock exchange.

Contact: Peter Rothschild (MD), BioGaia AB
Tel.: + 46 (0) 8 555 293 00 Fax: + 46 (0) 8 555 293 01,
E-mail: info@biogaia.se Website: www.biogaia.se


Classic biological base expected to solve problems
Biogen Active is the name of an active biological substance derived from whey rich in lactic acid, proteins and vitamins, produced during traditional cheese manufacturing. Following testing of microbiological processes involving bacterial culture and fermentation, Invekta has succeeded in manufacturing a product for an extremely useful cleansing concept, which has no negative effect on the environment or the materials involved, e.g. metals, rubber or other packaging materials. The latest product is called Industrial Degreaser, which is reported to be able to dissolve asphalt as well as grease and pigments. This is reckoned to be the first industrial degreasing substance to receive an eco-label in accordance with Swan-mark criteria. Applications and products derived from base raw materials are already available within areas such as degreasing, deliming/derusting, cleansing and disinfecting within industry as well as for maritime and energy companies, i.e. environments where companies wish to avoid expensive disruptions and high maintenance costs.

Contact: Kent Berg (MD), Invekta Green AB
Tel.: +46 (0) 708 580137 or +46 (0) 693 661210;
E-mail: kent.berg@invekta.se Website: www.invekta.se



Successful trials of biological plant protection
Fungal diseases affecting potatoes could be prevented thanks to biological plant protection, while the owners of golf courses may be able to reduce the amount of chemical biocides they use. BINAB Bio-Innovation, based in Karlsborg in central Sweden, has developed such a product through its work in the field of biological plant protection. The product contains naturally-occurring microorganisms for combating fungal diseases. The product is designed primarily for use in commercial nurseries and large facilities such as golf courses. Successful trials to combat damage caused to potato and strawberry crops have been carried out in cooperation with a number of Swedish authorities.
In addition to potato and strawberry crops, golf courses could also be kept looking their best with far less use of harmful chemical preparations. This biological alternative from Binab has been on trial at St Arild's Golf Club in Höganäs in southern Sweden for a few years.
"We are learning new things all the time, and I can see some positive uses for these new opportunities. We now have had less need of chemical preparations than before," says Per Hansson, the club's green-keeper.
Established 30 years ago, Binab is one of Sweden's oldest biotech companies. It has an impressive history and a wealth of experience in combating fungal diseases in the plant kingdom, even on the global market.

Contact: Thomas Ricard
Tel.: +46 (0) 505 100 93; Fax: + 46 (0) 505 100 54
E-mail: info@binab.se Website: www.binab.se



e-learning increases the rate of research
With the aid of e-learning, the healthcare sector is becoming increasing in efficiency with regard to learning and training processes. One company that has specialised in this area is Bäwer & Nilsson, which has recently concluded a three-year contract with Pharmacia.
With its roots firmly in the university world, the company has also entered into partnership with Linköping University Hospital in central Sweden. Through this collaboration, Bäwer & Nilsson has developed EKGtolking.com. This is a website for training ECG technicians and analysts, where they have the opportunity to practice their training on around sixty patients. The company has also developed animation in association with the website to further increase understanding of the complex world of the ECG-curve.

Contact: Jonas Bäwer,
Tel.: + 46 (0) 13 35 21 99
E-mail: info@bawernilsson.se Website: www.bawernilsson.se

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