MVA Newsletter no. 02, February 2007
EDITORIAL
Tax incentives encourages biotech growth
Imagine if every DKK spent on R&D in biotech provided you with DKK 1,6 back in taxes. This is the reality in many provinces of Canada. Here the tax-system is so beneficial to biotech firms that many small, research-intensive firms are attracted. Medicon Valley Academy has just returned from a stimulating visit to the Canadian biotech industry, which from 2001-2005 experienced a 24% average annual increase in the number of biotech companies.
The growth is partly due to remarkable tax incentives and a strong will from the Canadian government. Denmark and Sweden can choose to do the same - if we have the will to do so. Read more
MVA PROJECT NEWS
Passport - Helping SMEs participate in EU FP7
Representatives from 15 life science SMEs participated in the sold out FP7 training session on 17 January, arranged by Medicon Valley Academy as part of the Passport initiative. The training session included a thorough background on the new FP7 programme and guidance on how to approach the consortia building and project proposal processes. At the training session several local actors shared their experiences and provided participants with some hands-on EU experience. You can view the presentations from the session here.
If you wish to know more about Passport or be included in future sessions, please contact us at passport@mva.org.
CASE STORIES
The British Minister of Science launches UK-Medicon Valley Bioscience Alliance
The British Minister of Science, Malcolm Wicks, launched the UK-Medicon Valley Bioscience Alliance on 23 January in London. The Bioscience Alliance is designed to provide for greater bioscience cooperation between Medicon Valley and UK. The next Bioscience Alliance activitities are scheduled for 23-24 April and are thematic bioscience workshops covering diabetes, CNS, oncology, and inflammatory diseases.
Malcolm Wicks commented "The Bioscience industry and the quality of the research in UK and Scandinavia have matured to such a degree, that mutually beneficial cooperation is only natural. I am convinced that the enterprises that already have established cross-border relations feel enthusiastically about this initiative and the workshops that will follow across the academic world and the enterprises in between".
If you wish to know more about the UK-Medicon Valley Bioscience Alliance, please contact Managing Director Stig Jørgensen at sj@mva.org. For further information about the Bioscience Alliance read here.
How to become a successful biotech company
How does a biotech firm become an interesting business partner and what are the main challenges they must overcome in order to achieve success? A group of international experts answered these questions when ICON and Medicon Valley Academy held the workshop "Success Through Knowledge" in late January.
The workshop gave an overview of the challenges facing biotech firms when in international competition, and how they become successful. Director Kim Mark Knudsen, Biometrics Genmab, participated in the workshop and called the event excellent. He found Martin Edwards, Partner in Novo Ventures, view on clinical research especially memorable. Knudsen noted that "The interesting feature of this event was that it looked upon a wide variety of development possibilities within clinical research with a new and refreshing perspective". He further commented that "Such an event is a great opportunity for smaller biotech firms to network". Read more
MVA MEMBER NEWS
AstraZeneca Acquires Arrow Therapeutics
On 1 February AstraZeneca announced an agreement to acquire Arrow Therapeutics Ltd., a privately owned UK biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of anti-viral therapies. AstraZeneca sees the deal as an important strategic step that strengthens their portfolio of promising anti-infective treatments. Read more
Founder of Genovis rewarded as Rapidusrookie 2007
At the Rapidus seven-year anniversary celebration on 24 January Sarah Frederiksson, CEO and founder of Genovis, was rewarded for her courage to swap academia for the challenges of being a CEO. The Rapidus jury emphasized Sarahs perseverance in getting ideas from mind to market. Sarah Frederiksson founded Genovis after receiving her doctorate in biochemistry in 1999 and with the help of a dedicated team of scientists Genovis has developed the NIMTTM technology used for biomolecule delivery. Read more
BioInvent enters collaboration with Genentech
BioInvent announced on 7 January that it has entered into a strategic collaboration with Genentech Inc. to co-develop and commercialize BioInvent´s proprietary antibody candidate, BI-204, for the potential treatment of multiple cardiovascular conditions. Beyond the upfront payment of $15 million, this agreement attracts attention due to Genentech's world leadership position. Genentech's 30 years of experience make them an attractive cooperating partner for BioInvent. Read more
New hospital on Amager
A broadly majority in the new Copenhagen Regional Council agree that the Capital Region should have a new and modern hospital on Amager. Head of the hospital structure committee Knud Andersen says that the idea stems from the need to serve the regions fast-growing population. He also suggests more visionary considerations, such as a new Rigshospital in Ørestad. A new hospital on Amager would provide enhanced treatment options for greater Copenhagen, but Knud Andersen stresses that with a Rigshopsital in Ørestad it might also be possible to attract patients from abroad. Read more
Bonesupport AB and Signus Medical LLC sign distribution agreement for U.S.
The Lund-based medical technology company Bonesupport, which develops synthetic, injectable ceramic bone substitute, has signed its first commercial distribution agreement in North America. The agreement with the American company Signus Medical LLC covers exclusive sales rights in ten key states and is an important breakthrough in the U.S. market. Read more
NEW MVA MEMBERS
Biomodics
Biomodics is an independent contract R&D company created in January 2006. Their scientific management is internationally recognised for research in the fields of surface modifications, imaging and cell biology.
Biomodics generates revenue by providing services to life science companies. These services span from discovery in the pharma industry to implants and diagnostic platforms in the medico industry. By combining unique surface replication and modification with automated detection and imaging Biomodics ensures fast progression of components into clinical programmes.
Brann Patentbyrå AB
Brann was established in 1949 as consultants within intellectual property rights and business law. Brann is the third largest patent firm in Sweden dealing with patent, design, trademarks and copyright matters as well as litigation and agreements and other matters concerning marketing and competition law. Brann is the local leader in anti-counterfeit related actions. Brann has offices in Stockholm, Uppsala, Gävle and from March a new office in Lund at Ideon Science Park.
Inter-Set Gruppen
Inter-Set Translation A/S has many years of experience in medical translations. They work in close cooperation with the Danish Centre for Medical Language for Special Purposes (Center for medicinsk fagsprog) to create a web-based medical science dictionary. The dictionary is validated and approved by professionals, and the extensive specialization of their translators and proofreaders ensures a high quality of translation.
SchizoDetect
SchizoDetect Ltd is a medical technology company based in Lund, Sweden. The company has developed a new, quick and easy method for the diagnostic evaluation of schizophrenia. The SchizoDetect method is based on electrophysiological measurement of the brainstem as a response to auditory stimulation. The need for such support is required in many areas of clinical psychiatry.
Toxispot
Toxispot is a new innovative add venture company established by DHI Water & Environment and NOVI Innovation, Denmark. The objective of Toxispot is to develop portable and easy-to-use microsensors for rapid detection and quantification of toxic and noxious micro-organisms and substances in water. The microsensors are based on technologies that support sensitive and inexpensive multiplex analyses. Presently, water companies are the primary customers; however the platform is also applicable in e.g. food control and for biomedical issues.
World Courier
World Courier pioneered the offering of specialty logistics services for medical and biopharmaceutical communities, transporting the first human heart tissue for transplant in 1984. Today, as a leading specialty courier service for the pharmaceutical industry, World Courier is utilized in approx 80% of the world's clinical trials requiring the use of a specialty courier service. With experience in managing the logistics of over 7,500 clinical trials worldwide, World Courier is an acknowledged expert in handling temperature-sensitive specimen and drug shipments.
ACTIVITIES IN MEDICON VALLEY
Biotech Business Alliance with Japan
12 February 2007 / Arne Jacobsens Allé 15 / Ørestad / Denmark
This seminar, hosted by JETRO, the Embassy of Japan, City of Kobe, and Medicon Valley Academy, provides an overview of the Japanese biotech market and the keys to accessing business opportunities in Japan. Learn more while enjoying a free lunch with your colleagues from the biotech world. The seminar will provide information on how to reach the attractive Japanese market. Furthermore, the participants will have the opportunity to learn how to develop a Business Alliance with Japanese partners, as well as what free services are offered by JETRO and how to exploit them. Read more
Project Manager Coaching
1-2 March 2007 / Arne Jacobsens Allé 15 / Ørestad / Denmark
The Life Science sector requires project management skills that may not be included in traditional courses. This is the conclusion of Medicon Valley Academy's project management network, which has participants from 25 companies. The network is now offering its first course. It will be organized in collaboration with Leif Andersson from Proicio in Uppsala. The course is intended primarily for current project managers looking to become better project managers within Life Science. Read more
Modern Medicine in Medicon Valley
Spring 2007 / Arne Jacobsens Allé 15 / Ørestad / Denmark
The seminar Modern Medicine in Medicon Valley gives you the opportunity to become updated with the latest advances in biomedical research. Modern Medicine in Medicon Valley is a series of lectures by top-rated scientists from our region aiming to give board members, investors and policy makers an insight on the frontiers of medical research and innovation. The course will consist of breakfast meetings with an informal approach and excellent opportunities for knowledge acquisition and networking. The first lecture is on 2 March from 8 AM to 10 AM, and the deadline for registration is 23 February. Read more
Legal Life Science Conference
27 March 2007 / Venlighedsvej 10 / Hørsholm / Denmark
Legal Life Science 2007 is organized by IBC Euroforum and the law firm Plesner. The conference presents legal issues relevant for the pharmaceutical and biotech industry and features among others speaker Morag MacDonald from Bird and Bird Law Firm in London. She clarifies in conjunction with Morten Max Rasmussen, Bavarian Nordic, practical experiences with resource-intensive patent cases. Moreover, the conference gives you the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion about grants together with the Danish Medicines Agency and Pfizer Denmark.
MVA-members get a reduction of 15%. Read more
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
BIO-Europe Conference
5-7 March 2007 / Milan / Italy
The BIO-Europe Spring event features a combination of one-on-one partner meetings and company presentations. Healthcare will be the centre of attention, but the 2007 event will also take a close look at industrial biotechnology and its interface with the world of healthcare. Read more
Life Sciences Partnering China & Europe Programme
16-17 April 2006 / Shanghai / China
China Partnering Event II - Shanghai (PR of China). The basis for this event is the recent emergence of China as a player on the international biotech market. The emphasis is on facilitating contacts with viable partnering prospects within China. Read more
BIO International Convention
6-9 May / Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Boston / MA / USA
The BIO International Convention is four, information-packed days to present new ideas, form bold ventures and create global benefits in the biotech industry. The BIO International Convention offers attendees an opportunity to meet face-to-face with every key player in the biotechnology industry. Program participants include researchers, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and others scientific luminaries. Read more