Umeå’s life science sector took an important step forward this spring when Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) established a new Quality Assurance (QA) network. The network, which brings together representatives from some 15 companies, focuses on sharing experiences and strategies to deal with the increasingly complex quality requirements facing the industry.
“We have grown from nine to eleven employees. It feels like a significant milestone for us to pass ten employees”, says Niklas Norgren, VP and Managing Director at UmanDiagnostics.
Swedish MedTech company Mucocort plans to launch a mucosal self-absorbing patch for pain relief in people suffering from aphthous stomatitis (mouth ulcers). The interest in Mucocort patch technology has increased after the approval of a European patent. Further, the Mucocort AB minority stakeholder Aurena Laboratories steps up with additional capital and increases its ownership.
Umeå-based Medicvent has been awarded a new prestigious assignment to deliver central systems for waste gas/diathermy and its unique double mask system used in anesthesia to Högsbo Regional Hospital, which will be inaugurated in Gothenburg in 2024.
“It is a modern, innovative hospital that wants to be at the very forefront of healthcare. It’s fantastic that we’ve got the opportunity to work with a client like this”, says Erik Lindström, CEO of Medicvent.
In June, Lipigon Pharmaceuticals signed a development and licensing agreement worth nearly SEK 1 billion. Today, the Umeå-based company has relocated to a newly renovated 250 square meter facility tailored to their needs. Lipigon’s CEO, Stefan K. Nilsson, views these achievements as “pivotal strides in the company’s ongoing journey of growth and innovation.”
Umeå’s life science industry continues its rapid expansion with news that technology consulting company Prevas is looking to hire a Business Unit Manager for its new offices in the city.
“There is a growing market for life science in Umeå that we want to be a part of”, says Majid Meshkintorreh, Prevas’ Norrland Regional Manager.
The AstraZeneca Exchange Nordic mentorship program provides expert advice to Nordic life science startups and entrepreneurs. For Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) the program has proven to be an invaluable tool for the startups it coaches – offering a range of advice from market and needs analysis to more specific technical questions.
“It’s fantastic that we have the opportunity to tap into all the expertise available within AstraZeneca”, says Tobias Tovedal, a Business Coach at UBI.
Thomas Busch has taken over as Chairman of the Board at Swedish biotech company HiloProbe AB at what he calls “an exciting time” for the thriving business.
“We are now ready to transition from a research company to actively marketing and selling our ColoNode biomarker test ”, he says.
The UBI case NanoBio Select@ expands the team with laboratory assistant Iqra Nasir and senior engineer Nicolas Boulanger.
As the summer holidays draw to a close, Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) is already busy getting back to work. On Thursday and Friday this week UBI Business Coach Pia Keyser will be at the Wasa Future Festival in Finland to talk about the life science collaboration in the Kvarken region.
Lipigon Pharmaceuticals from Umeå is celebrating the signing of a development and license agreement for its clinical-stage drug candidate Lipisense® with Leaderna Therapeutics worth an estimated USD 91 million.
“We are delighted with this agreement and look forward to working with Leaderna on the future development of Lipisense®”, says Stefan K Nilsson, CEO of Lipigon. The new agreement specifically involves the development and licensing of the drug in Greater China.
Umeå University, has in collaboration with HiloProbe AB completed the first part of a new clinical study of its ColoNode biomarker test, which provides further important evidence for the product ColoNode’s benefits and usefulness in colon cancer.
“The results look promising”, says Lina Olsson, CEO of Hiloprobe AB
Umeå Biotech Incubator has been granted SEK 14 millions for the ERDF project “Life science city”, which will further develop the life science industry in the region 2024-2026.
”It feels gratifying that we get to build on our long-term goal”, says UBI’s Operations coordinator, Peter Jacobsson.
He has been a vital part of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) since its inception in 2003. But now, after 42 years of service in the biotech industry, it is time for respected research engineer Assar Bäckman to retire.
“My work has been hugely varied, and over the years I have learned a great deal. I usually have an emergency solution to most things if needed”, says Assar.
Jennie Ekbeck completed her final day as CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) last week. Experienced business coach Peter Jacobsson will now lead the business until a permanent replacement is appointed.
The Umeå Biotech Incubator-backed ‘Shades of Green’ project, developed by Boreal Orchards, has created a moss that can be used on buildings, infrastructure and for the regeneration of nature. Now founder Daniel Pacurar is collaborating on a new development project with RISE Processum AB and Ecohelix to maximize moss establishment with the help of by-products from the paper pulp industry.
Jennie Ekbeck, CEO of Umeå Biotech Incubator, has been awarded an honorary doctorate for 2023 at the Faculty of Science and Technology at Umeå University.
“I want research to benefit people, that is my driving force,” she says.
Umeå Biotech Incubator (UBI) has won the Regio Stars Västerbotten 2023 award for its ‘Life Science Motorn 2.0’ regional fund project in the category “A region with localized sustainable business development”.
“It feels amazing that our project is being recognized and praised”, says UBI’s outgoing CEO, Jennie Ekbeck, who was the project manager behind the ‘Life Science Motorn 2.0’.