The latest Business updates from the science industry


by Heather Hobbs Activate Science Has Been all Over Europe


Activate Science, an annual event series organised by Thermo Fisher Scientifi c and attended by laboratory personnel across Europe, reached delegates at 28 customer sites in 2017.


Emily Quinton, European Marketing Communications Manager, commented: “Activate Science has reached nearly 3,000 delegates in eight European countries during the year and provided a valuable


opportunity to network and get hands-on with all the latest products at a customer site.”


Activate Science events are aimed at all laboratory personnel, including anyone who uses or purchases products. Delegates have commented that they value being able to talk to suppliers in a relaxed atmosphere away from the laboratory. They also enjoy seminars covering topics relevant to their work as well as learning about new


techniques and developments that enable them to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer.


For more information relating to the Activate Science programme across Europe, please visit www.eu.fi shersci.com/go/activatescience.


44536pr@reply-direct.com


New CEO to Drive Clinical Phase Development


Zelluna Immunotherapy, a biotechnology company specialising in T-cell receptor (TCR) immunotherapies targeting a broad range of solid cancers, has appointed Miguel Forte as chief executive offi cer (CEO).


“Zelluna is developing a unique immunotherapy portfolio of non-engineered tumour specifi c T-cell receptors (TCRs) isolated from long term survivors from cancer vaccine trials conducted by former Professor Gustav Gaudernack’s group at the Oslo University Hospital. This enables Zelluna to target some of the most common cancer antigens and cancer types. Its established partnerships also grant critical support including all capabilities of TCR development, one of Europe’s largest academic GMP cell therapy production facilities headed by professor Gunnar Kvalheim and access to patients and clinical trial support through a dedicated Clinical Trial Unit,” said Anders Tuv, chairman of the board, Zelluna. “Appointing a CEO with the international experience and profi le of Miguel Forte will be critical to further enhance the therapeutic, development and


Miguel Forte


commercial potential of Zelluna and push its leadership position in the international TCR and immunotherapy marketplaces.”


Miguel is tasked with driving clinical translation of the TCR pipeline, developing new international scientifi c and commercial partnerships and forging relationships with the international investor communities.


With extensive commercial experience in the regenerative medicine, cell therapy, medical and regulatory affairs industries, Miguel is also currently chief commercialisation offi cer and chair of the commercialisation committee for the International Society of Cellular Therapy, the global society of clinicians, researchers, regulatory specialists, technologists and industry partners in the cell therapy sector.


44905pr@reply-direct.com


Investment to Support Technology Roll-Out


Biomanufacturing company Univercells SA, has announced the successful closing of a €3 million ($3.56M) increase in a Series-A equity fi nancing round, led by private investors from Europe and the US.


Grant Boosts Cargo Delivery in Genomes Project


EMBL spin-out Geneva Biotech, a developer of viral and non-viral DNA delivery systems and Sphere Fluidics, providers of single cell analysis systems, have received a €1.6 million grant from the Eurostars funding programme that supports international collaborations between R&D- performing small and medium enterprises to develop innovative products, processes and services.


The grant will support a project that aims to adapt the use of Sphere Fluidics’ Cyto-Mine Single Cell Analysis System to generate an automated, benchtop device for precise docking of very large DNA cargoes in genome-edited cell lines. Cyto-Mine uses picodroplet technology and microfl uidics to encapsulate cells in a picodroplet containing growth medium; this acts as a bioreactor to compartmentalise the cell and let it grow, eventually trapping secreted molecules such as antibodies. The unique workfl ow enables selective screening of single cells to fi nd rare lead candidates.


Dr Frank Craig, CEO and Director at Sphere Fluidics said: “Sphere Fluidics is adapting the use of its Cyto-Mine system for the genome editing fi eld. The Eurostars programme will enable us to continue to expand its use in this rapidly growing market by working together with Geneva Biotech to develop a precise method of delivering large DNA cargoes in genomes.”


Dr Daniel Fitzgerald, CEO and Director at Geneva Biotech commented: “Geneva Biotech has a long term vision to create viral vector tools that enable large DNA cargo delivery and genome engineering in primary cells that have proven refractory to traditional transfection, electroporation, or transduction methods. The Eurostars collaboration with Sphere Fluidics forms a key part of our strategy to improve our position in this fi eld with signifi cant therapeutic and industrial importance.”


44968pr@reply-direct.com


The capital injection will help enable the commercial introduction of the company’s viral micro-facility, with a fi rst technology transfer anticipated for Q4 2018 within the framework of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-supported program; it will also benefi t the company’s recombinant platform development, both of which are aimed at providing a suffi cient supply of high-quality biologics at an affordable price.


“We are very proud of this funding round and thankful for this wealth of support,” commented Hugues Bultot, co-founder and CEO of Univercells. “This successful capital increase is a real recognition of the work achieved so far, the innovative technology being developed and the clear expectations and roadmap set. It is highly encouraging to have seasoned industry experts demonstrate such tremendous confi dence in Univercells, its ability to transform the industry with their willingness to contribute to our mission.”


44967pr@reply-direct.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92