A new AI solution for sustainable production is to be tested at Diamyd Medical’s vaccine manufacturing facility in Umeå. It is hoped, once the solution has been refined, that it can be introduced in companies throughout Sweden.
“This represents a unique opportunity that we do not see that often in Sweden. We are happy to be working with recognised experts in both AI and sustainable production”, says Ulf Hannelius, CEO of Diamyd Medical.
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Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has strengthened its board with the appointment of respected business profiles Anette Nordvall, named Sweden’s most powerful tech investor by DI Digital, and Camilla Huse Bondesson, who has extensive experience of marketing, sales and business development in the life science industry.
“We have been focused on finding people who can contribute with business acumen and an investor perspective so that we continue building a world-class incubator”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting, Urban Paulsson was elected a regular board member of Umeå-based Lipigon Pharmaceuticals AB. Urban Paulsson’s business law expertise entails a strengthening of the Board and is an important component for the company’s continued successful development.
Umeå-based life science company Inficure Bio is one of three companies from northern Sweden chosen to present their business cases at ‘Mötesplats Stockholm – The Great Northern Capital Connect’ in early 2021.
Prediktera from Umeå in northern Sweden has made the list of Europe’s most dynamic Artificial Intelligence (AI) startups.
“This increases our visibility and opportunities to find partners, employees and customers in Europe and around the world,” says Andreas Vidman, CEO of Prediktera.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is one of the hosts of the Swedish Life Science Investor Meeting (24-25th November), a digital event that will bring biotech companies and potential international investors together.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused untold problems for businesses, but one advantage it has given life science companies is the opportunity to meet international investors who may not have necessarily visited Sweden otherwise. Thanks to digital technology we can now reach out further than ever before”, says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
Fredrik Almqvist, CEO of QureTech Bio based in Umeå in northern Sweden, is among thousands of researchers hoping to draw attention to the challenges of antibiotic resistance as part of World Antibiotic Awareness Week (18-24 November).
“It’s a problem that’s comparable to the climate crisis. We have to find new ways to kill antibiotic resistant disease-causing bacteria so we can save millions of lives every year,” he says.
The G4 Cancer Cure, a new project developing a treatment for aggressive breast cancer, has recently joined the Umeå Biotech Incubator.
“We are extremely happy and look forward to some exciting times ahead. This is an important step for us in the development of our product,” says Associate Professor Nasim Sabouri, one of the project’s three owners.
Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI), has been nominated for the prestigious Nordic Startup Awards in the ‘Ecosystem Hero of the Year’ category.
“Wow! I’m so happy to be nominated! It is proof that all our work to create better conditions for life science development in Sweden has been appreciated,” she says.
Venture capital company Nascent Invest has bought shares in Umeå-based QureTech Bio as part of a targeted new share issue. The multi-million SEK investment will provide long-term security for the Swedish life science company as it continues its work to discover and develop new solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
“This investment means we can develop faster and take on more employees. As a result, we can get our medicines to market faster and hopefully save more lives,” says Fredrik Almqvist, CEO of QureTech Bio.
A recruitment drive is underway at Diamyd Medical’s new vaccine facility in Umeå after the company announced it is moving production of the GAD65 protein, the active substance in the diabetes vaccine Diamyd, from abroad to Sweden.
“This move gives us greater control and more knowledge about our study drug. Personally it feels fantastic to be involved in building a vaccine facility from the ground up”, says Maja Johansson, Site Manager in Umeå.
Swedish Inficure Bio has signed an agreement with a publicly listed US biopharmaceutical company that develops drugs for several chronic and life-threatening diseases.
“We will now begin testing the effects of their drug substances in our unique model. The company is world-leading in drug development, so this recognition is significant for us,” says Inficure Bio’s CEO, Sofia Mayans.
HiloProbe has been granted SEK 2 million from Swedish Innovation Agency Vinnova to validate a product that detects and helps treat people with colorectal cancer.
“This is an important grant for us and means we can validate our product and make it available to the healthcare industry sooner,” says Lina Olsson, CEO of HiloProbe.
Umeå-based Lipigon Pharmaceuticals has signed agreements with universities in Shanghai and Shenzhen to develop a new drug that can potentially reduce the number of deaths linked to Covid-19.
“Right now there are very few treatments available for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), which can be fatal to some Covid-19 patients. The standard treatment is oxygen and the use of respirators. We hope to change that,” says Lipogon’s CEO, Stefan K Nilsson.
A new and different Facebook group is enabling companies in the Umeå region to buy and sell second-hand laboratory equipment, as well as gain access to cheaper lab services.
“Umeå University, the County Council and a number of life science companies in Umeå are often in need of a laboratory, but new equipment is expensive and requires a great deal of knowledge to operate. This new Facebook group allows Umeå companies to sustainably support each other,” says Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator.
Umeå-based Lipigon Pharmaceuticals has attracted SEK 16.6 Million in a new share issue that will help it get nearer to its goal of reducing the number of global deaths caused by cardiovascular disease.
“We are extremely proud our new shares issue was oversubscribed, particularly during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic when many investors are feeling more cautious. It is an indication of the level of belief in us,” says Stefan K Nilsson, CEO of Lipigon.
Umeå-based QureTech Bio has received preliminary approval for a patent application in the US for a drug candidate that helps treat tuberculosis.
“The US is a key market for us so this news really helps strengthen our position. We are at a very exciting stage right now,” says Fredrik Almqvist, CEO of QureTech Bio.
Construction of Diamyd Medical’s new vaccine manufacturing unit in Umeå is now underway, with a number of key roles being actively recruited to help staff the new facility. Newly-appointed site manager Maja Johansson is responsible for establishing the process for the production of GAD, the active substance in the study drug Diamyd.
Umeå biotech company HiloProbe has attracted millions in new investment capital after successfully developing a diagnostic and prognostic product for colon and rectal cancer.
“Capital is crucial for getting our product to patients and helping them,” says Lina Olsson, HiloProbe’s CEO.
