- Tampere seizes creative economy

PERSPECTIVES
BioneXt and beyond
Investment in biotechnology brings profit
but it requires persistence. The results are
now starting to show in treatment results
as well as in the development of products
and the company base. The clearest signs
can be detected in the United States,
where private investment in 2004 was
on the level of previous best years. More
than 200 new biotechnology-based drugs
have been developed and last year in the
US, for example, 20 new targeted drugs
developed by means of biotechnology were
registered for the treatment of cancer,
insomnia, MS, chronic pain and kidney
disease, among others.
Investment also brings profit for investors.
It is estimated that sales of the nine
drugs approved last year, for instance,
will rise to 2.5 billion euros already
this year and to 6.5 billion euros in
two years’ time. In addition to drugs
development, biotechnology is utilized in
the development of novel genome research
based diagnostics, which have notable
prospects in the prevention and treatment
of disease.
Tampere hosts active research related to
molecular biology, immunology, cancer
genetics and bioinformatics. For example,
the Institute of Medical Technology (IMT)
is an internationally respected research
institution in the field of biotechnology.
The latest recognition was the Descartes
2004 research prize awarded to Professor
Howy Jacobs’ research group for its
Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Ageing and
Disease (MBAD) research. Active research
has already also produced several spin-off
companies such as Vactech, FIT Biotech
and Icuris Pharma. Together with Tampere
University hospital, Technical University
of Tampere and other research institutions
of Tampere University e.g. the Institute for
Regenerative Medicine, Regea they form
the wide knowledge pool where different
parts support one another.
Vibrant business and research activities
have also given rise to demand for services
and companies manufacturing medical
research equipment. Resources in the
Tampere central region are therefore
also being directed into computer-aided
processing of biological information (Bio
ICT) and services related to the tissue
engineering. New industry has already
emerged in this field, examples being
Chip-Man Technologies, whose specialities
include cell research instruments, and
Histola, a specialist in histological
services.
The development of biotechnology in
the Tampere central region has been
most apparent in surgical applications of
bioabsorbable materials. Tampere has for
a long time been at the global frontline in
the research of bioabsorbable materials
and commercialization of bioabsorbable
surgical implants. There are currently
two international companies in Tampere,
Linvatec Biomaterials and Inion, which
develop, manufacture and market
bioabsorbable implants. A good example of
investors’ faith in the industry was Inion’s
successful listing on the London stock
exchange in 2004. Also emerging in this
field are companies which have set their
aims on next-generation products that
actively affect the body’s healing process.
One of the missions in Tampere is to
combine expertise in biomaterials, tissue
engineering and medicine to develop
bioabsorbable implants containing stem
cells together with the Institute for
Regenerative Medicine, Regea. This would
enable, among others, the repair of tissues
that do not otherwise heal or where the
healing process is extremely slow.
Investment is now being directed into
stem cell research and increasingly
effective forms of treatment
are expected as a result,
particularly for Parkinson’s
disease, Alzheimers’s and MS,
spinal cord injuries and heart
failures. Stem cell lines grown
around the world are at this point
in time mainly used in research
with animals. The conditions
of work at Regea and its GMPlevel
laboratory and clean-room
TERO VÄLIMAA
Director, BioneXt Tampere
The BioneXt Tampere programme strengthens biotechnology
expertise in the Tampere central region.
The programme’s focal areas are
Implants and tissue engineering • Immunology • Bio ICT
facilities make it possible to grow GMPlevel
stem cell lines. This means that
they would be directly applicable as cell
transplants for humans.
The stem cell research at Regea focuses
primarily on cell and tissue engineering
aiming at clinical applications. The
mission is to develop cultivation
conditions for the clinical application
of stem cells and to utilize the strong
biomaterials expertise in Tampere. The
stem cell research is led by one of the
world’s foremost researchers, Professor
Outi Hovatta. According to Hovatta, the
aim of Regea’s stem cell research is to
develop cells for clinical applications of
dentistry, neurology, heart disease and
bone and cartilage tissue damages so
that the cells produced comply with the
quality requirements set by the EU’s
tissue engineering directive. In this
way, the cells will be applicable as cell
transplants directly to humans. The cells
will also be utilized in stem cell research
in cooperation with several Finnish and
international research groups.
Success in the development of
biotechnology is based on persistence and
sustained effort. For Finland, it is worth
continuing to invest in the development
of high technology, and biotechnology
is a field that offers market potential
and unresearched areas long into the
future. The development of recent years
in the US is a good example. There are
significant prospects in the field both in
terms of economy and science. Due to the
immensity of the field there is room and
profit for those who have the will and the
persistence to take things further.
biotechnology
Biotechnology offers market
potential and unresearched
areas long into the future.
20 Tampere Business • Science • Life