Obesity is a serious and increasing worldwide problem. Inhibition of the appetite-stimulating factors would be a possible treatment for obesity. This discovery provides a target for possible drug intervention for limiting food intake among the obese. Today the hypothesis still holds and three drug companies have been formed.

For how many years did you work with the incubator team?

“I had contact with UBI for more than 10 years.”

What happened to your idea in the end? 

“The hypothesis still holds today, and three pharmaceutical companies have been set up.” Two companies have come as far as phase II clinical trials and they have a high probability of resulting in a finalised pharmaceutical product.”

What did you most appreciate about the incubator environment?

“What I appreciated most was the support and advice from the coaches and the funding during the initial phase.”

What learnings have you taken with you from your journey in the incubator?

“That’s it’s difficult and almost impossible to get hold of development funds.”

What would you say to others wanting to utilise a research idea?

“Don’t expect to get anything more than work out of your project.”

 

Photo: Umeå university

UBI Incubation Phase

Alumni

Contact Information

Visiting address<br /> NORRLANDS UNIVERSITETSSJUKHUS<br /> 90746 Umeå<br /> Sweden<br /> <br /> Postal address<br /> SOFIEHEMSVÄGEN 73 A<br /> 90738 Umeå<br /> Sweden
Torbjörn Bäckström
CEO Umecrine AB & Professor, Senior at the Department of Clinical Science at Umeå university