Enzymes accelerate pharmaceutical researchA newly discovered analyticalmethod that relies on enzymesshortens production time <strong>for</strong> newmedications. Biotech companyGenovis in <strong>Lund</strong> is responsible <strong>for</strong><strong>the</strong> discovery.Behind <strong>the</strong> walls of a business centre at <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>nd of <strong>Lund</strong>, 11 employees work <strong>for</strong> biotech companyGenovis.Since its inception in 1999 <strong>the</strong> company has focusedon designing nanoparticles usingunique enzymes and various productiontechnologies. They showedthat <strong>the</strong> enzyme (also known asFabRICATOR ® ) can reduce <strong>the</strong>analysis time <strong>for</strong> new medications.“Pharmaceutical companiesSarahFredrikssonfounder of Genovis.can use our tool to simplify testingand increase analysis reliability,”says Sarah Fredriksson, CEO andHelp <strong>for</strong> patients with rheumaticdiseasesShe hopes that <strong>the</strong> discovery will greatly benefitcompanies currently engaged in drug development<strong>for</strong> diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.“Our enzymes help researchers to discover errorsat a much earlier stage in <strong>the</strong> development process.Our method takes less than one hour, while olderWithFabrICATorWithoutFabrICATormethods may take as long as 72 hours,” says SarahFredriksson.Is <strong>the</strong> new method as reliable as <strong>the</strong> old one?“I would say it’s more reliable. However, <strong>the</strong> establishedmethods can still be used, even though<strong>the</strong>ir age is showing.”How does <strong>the</strong> discovery affect patient safety?“Actually it’s unrelated, since this product is <strong>for</strong>drug manufacturers. Their processes are accelerated,but <strong>the</strong> drugs that reach <strong>the</strong> patient still haveto be approved by regulatory authorities such as <strong>the</strong>FDA or <strong>the</strong> Swedish Medical Products Agency.”New positions availableGenovis is now preparing to hire new staff andwants to create a dedicated marketing departmentto help distribute <strong>the</strong> product.1 hourTIME72 hoursUsing FabRICATOR ® to cleave <strong>the</strong> antibody into smaller parts provides improved analysis results faster,saving both time and money <strong>for</strong> pharmaceutical companies.“We are a small company and are not equippedwith significant marketing resources. But when I’velectured about this method on <strong>the</strong> circuit, pharmaceuticalcompanies have shown strong interest.Our timing seems to be good,” says SarahFredriksson. nGenovis is a biotech enterprise headquartered in <strong>Lund</strong>.Last year <strong>the</strong> company had sales of SEK 1.6 million.www.genovis.comFull coverage services in intellectual property lawIn a globalized world it is becoming increasingly important <strong>for</strong> companiesto develop well-prepared strategies <strong>for</strong> patents and o<strong>the</strong>r intellectualproperty rights. The law firm Gulliksson and Ström & Gulliksson, havingoffices at five locations throughout Sweden, combine full coverage IPservices in intellectual property law with strategic business advice.Since its start in 1975, Ström & Gulliksson’s businessconcept has been to combine law with patentcounselling and prosecution. Today <strong>the</strong> activities areconnected and run by two separate companies. At<strong>the</strong> Gulliksson law firm you will find both advocatesand business lawyers, who draft and negotiate allkinds of national and international business contracts.They also render services concerning strategicadvice, intellectual property evaluation, patentlitigation and commercialization of intellectual propertyrights.“We also per<strong>for</strong>m freedom to operate and duediligence analyses as well as mergers and acquisitions.It is difficult to evaluate inventions and patents,but with our combination of technical and legalcompetence we make <strong>the</strong> process reliable,” says<strong>the</strong> companies’ founder Jonas Gulliksson.Effective in small unitsBjörn Andersson is one of eleven partners in Ström& Gulliksson. He has been working with intellectualproperty rights since 1994 and is responsible <strong>for</strong>many multinational client companies.“Our clients receive correct and comprehensivepatent advice and we focus on <strong>the</strong> client’s businesswith <strong>the</strong> clear goal of <strong>the</strong> client making moremoney.”At Ström & Gulliksson experienced patent counselswork in small teams according to technicalspecialty. Depending on <strong>the</strong> client’s technology andbusiness <strong>the</strong> team is <strong>the</strong>n supplemented with specializedattorneys and law experts.“That makes us dynamic, personal and effective.Since we work in small units we get to know <strong>the</strong>client on a deeper level and can offer <strong>the</strong> best andmost valuable advice.”In recent years Ström & Gulliksson has developedmarket-leading competence in environmental patentscanning. Last year <strong>the</strong> online service WatchOut®was launched which gives <strong>the</strong> client <strong>the</strong> possibilityof not only monitoring competitors and <strong>the</strong>ir newpatent applications, but also identifying possiblecollaborative partners.“The unique thing about our service is that <strong>the</strong> clientshave access to it wherever <strong>the</strong>y are, 24–7.” nThe Gulliksson law firm has 37 employees:21 lawyers, of which 12 are barristers, as well as16 paralegals/administrators.www.gulliksson.seStröm & Gulliksson has 49 employees: 21 patentcounsels, of which <strong>10</strong> are authorized European PatentAttorneys, as well as 13 paralegals and IP assistants.www.sg.seThe firms have five offices in Sweden, located in Malmö, <strong>Lund</strong>, Helsingborg, Göteborg and Stockholm. The office inGöteborg is in <strong>the</strong> Chalmers area and in <strong>Lund</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Ideon industrial park - close to both research and innovation.Dynamic, personal and effective. Björn Anderssonand Jonas Gulliksson discuss <strong>the</strong>best solution <strong>for</strong> a client.26 reSEARCH <strong>for</strong> THE FUTURE
discoverPhoto: skane.com © Lasse Davidsson, Illustration: ESS ABrecoverThe future belongs to SkåneSkåne, <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rnmost part of Sweden and one ofNor<strong>the</strong>rn Europe’s most expansive regions, offers thatrare combination – a dynamic business environment anda high quality of life.It is now set to become home to <strong>the</strong> world’s mostadvanced research facilities <strong>for</strong> material science– <strong>the</strong> European Spallation Source (ESS) and MAX IV.This exciting development puts Skåne on <strong>the</strong>international investment map more firmly than ever.Invest in Skåne is a regional promotion agency that facilitates inwardinvestment to Skåne. We provide free professional advice and services tocompanies considering Skåne <strong>for</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r expansion. invest.skane.com
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