Chinese investment firm Ivy Capital is investing almost 3 million USD into Umeå-based biotechnology firm Betagenon.
“This investment is incredibly important to us and the development of our product. We hope to produce a cure for widespread diseases,” says Thomas Edlund, Co-Founder and CEO of Betagenon.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is hosting two events in Stockholm later this week. Both the Meet Umeå Life Science and the Biotech Umeå Investment Day are expected to attract record numbers of participants.
“These events are a great way for us to connect life science companies from the Västerbotten region with national and international experts and investors. And this year a record number of participants have registered for the events, which feels amazing,“ says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
Life science company Lipigon Pharmaceuticals has recruited two new members of staff following the signing of a multi-million SEK agreement for its gene therapy project with listed Nordic company CombiGene.
The new appointments will bring additional knowledge and skills to the Umeå-based company that will help it reach project milestones in the years ahead.
“This agreement allows us to grow, which is great for us and for Umeå,” says Stefan K Nilsson, CEO of Lipigon.
Now Umeå Biotech Incubator is creating new business areas on Tvistevägen near Umeå University.
”It will be a new and modern co-working space for Umeå’s startups – where the companies can grow and collaborate,” says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
Researchers from the Umea pharmaceutical research company Quretech Bio have been granted SEK 5 million by the Erling-Persson Family Foundation to make resistant bacteria sensitive to antibiotics again.
“We are delighted and extremely grateful. This money is vital in allowing us to continue conducting critical experiments” says Jörgen Johansson, Professor of Molecular Microbiology at Umeå University and Co-founder of Quretech Bio.
Now Umeå company Lipum brings more expertise to the company. Professor Anders Fasth steps in as an advisor in the development of medicines for inflammatory diseases.
“It is very gratifying that he joins the team,” says Einar Pontén, CEO of Lipum.
Now the first company has left the incubator after going through all the steps in the incubator process – from Preincubate to Growth. Congratulations Inficure Bio – well done!
Life science company Lipigon Pharmaceuticals has signed an agreement for its gene therapy project with listed company CombiGene.
“If everything goes well this agreement could potentially be worth millions. But it also enables us to develop our business in the short term, not least because we can now employ highly competent staff in Umeå,” says Stefan K Nilsson, CEO of Lipigon.
The Umeå company Spinchem shares about 40 million SEK in an international research project funded by the European Union.
”This is good timing for SpinChem since our strategy is to create new environmentally friendly, bio-based processes for industry,” says Emil Byström, CEO of Spinchem.
MetaCurUm Biotech has won an innovation competition announced by Groth & Co. The price is an IPR consultation worth SEK 75,000.
”We are very happy and grateful for the prize. It is fantastic that the jury sees the potential in our idea and that they want to help us in our development,” says Lotta Berg, CEO of MetaCurUm Biotech.
Umeå-based life science company UmanDiagnostics has signed a new licensing and supply agreement with global giant Siemens.
“Siemens is a world leader in our industry, so this is an extremely important agreement for us,” says Niklas Norgren, CEO of UmanDiagnostics.
The Umeå-based company MetaCurUm Biotech AB has appointed a new CEO. Lotta Berg officially started her new position in the company in October.
“To contribute to the development of a new cancer treatment is both exciting and valuable”, says Lotta Berg.
When Umeå’s big business gala was held on November 7, three of twelve awards went to life science.
“Previously, life science had a relatively hidden role in Umeå – but during this year’s Umeågala we have proven that we are an industry that has great potential”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
On Monday, November 4, Sveriges Television (SVT) broadcasted a news report from Pro Test Diagnostics.
Umeå Biotech Incubator has been named the best in Sweden in the category Best Accelerator Program or Incubator Program – and thus goes on to the Nordic final in the prestigious Nordic Startup Awards.
“Now we keep our fingers crossed that as many people as possible votes for us. We aim to win the finals – and to move on to the global finals in China”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO at UBI.
The start-up company Dianox, based in Umeå, is releasing a web-based education in clinical anaerobic bacteriology to teach biomedical scientists and other health and lab staff more about anaerobic bacteria. These bacteria can cause severe infections, that in the worst case can lead to fatal sepsis.
“The knowledge is inadequate in many hospitals and the universities address the problem of anaerobic bacteria to a limited extent. With more knowledge, hundreds of cases of serious blood poisoning can be avoided each year”, says Maria Hedberg, CEO at Dianox.
Umeå Biotech Incubator has reached the final of the Nordic Startup Awards in the category Best Accelerator or Incubator Program. This gives us the chance to advance to the Global Startup Awards competition.
Umeå-based biotech company Brain Stimulation has appointed Fredrik Jonsson as its new CEO.
“Brain Stimulation has developed a fascinating and important product and now we want to concentrate on sales,” says Fredrik Jonsson.
Following the $22.5 million acquisition this summer of Umeå-based UmanDiagnostics by major US biotech company Quanterix more people are now being hired at its offices in Umeå.
“Demand for our products is extremely high in the global marketplace and we’re probably looking at hiring even more people in the future”, says Niklas Norgren, CEO of UmanDiagnostics.
Nelson Khoo from Canada, co-founder of the Umeå company Pro Test Diagnostics, has been nominated for New Settler of the Year. On Wednesday, November 18, it will be decided if he wins in Region North, which means that he will advance to the national final in Stockholm.
”It feels absolutely fantastic. If I win, I get to meet the King of Sweden – it’s a life time opportunity”, says Nelson Khoo.