SWEDEN, June 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sweden leads the world in per-capita concentration of biotech companies. The Stockholm/Uppsala region, which continually places at the top of international rankings is responsible in great part for this statistic. During BIO2003, companies in the region will be seeking new partnerships.
Sweden has the greatest number of biotechnology companies, per capita, in the world, and fifty percent of them are in the Stockholm/Uppsala bioregion. It is home to more than 550 life sciences companies, about 100 businesses in the biotechnological field, and an additional 100 enterprises that are biotech-related.
"The majority are smaller, newly established companies with cutting-edge expertise, and they're generating big investment possibilities," says Per-Axel Dahlberg, interim CEO of Business Arena Stockholm.
The region's companies represent all aspects of the value chain: R and D, manufacture, and commercialization. Companies that develop and manufacture instruments and equipment and deal with documentation and registration are also represented.
Among other qualities that distinguish the Stockholm/Uppsala bioregion is the climate for clinical trials. Many people are willing to act as test subjects, and the patient database is unique for its size and content. The Svenska lakemedelsverket (Medical Products Agency (MPA)) is one of the world's most respected regulatory agencies and is recognized globally for its professional attitude and quick, sound decisions.
International comparisons show that the Swedish research climate yields results. Per capita, Sweden has more patents registered in the United States than any country in Europe. It holds more EU patents per capita than any other country in the world. The number of published scientific articles per capita puts Sweden at second place in international rankings.
During BIO2003, the world's biggest biotechnology fair, to be held in Washington, DC, June 21-25, the region's companies will be looking for new collaborative partners. The Swedish booth at BIO 2003 will be located at the Swedish Pavilion, number 835.
For more information, contact: Per-Axel Dahlberg, interim CEO, at per-axel.dahlberg@bas.stockholm.se or 08-508 280 82, or Ylva Hultman Erlandsson, Project Manager, Life Sciences, at ylva.hultman@bas.stockholm.se or 08-508 280 65
Below is a list of the companies planning to attend BIO 2003 and what they are looking for:
Active Biotech Active Biotech is seeking partnerships for a novel oral immunomodulatory drug (SAIK-MS) aimed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, as well as for an oral drug (TASQ) designed for the treatment of prostate cancer. The company is also seeking collaboration partners in relation to a novel concept (TTS) for immunotherapy of cancer.
Affibody Seeking partnerships with pharmaceutical companies for target identification and validation using Affibody's proprietary technology.
Bioventia is acting as a link between innovations, financing and competent management and is currently looking for international strategic partnerships.
Biovitrum is actively looking for in-licensing partners to strengthen the project portfolio in our core therapeutic areas: type 2 diabetes, obesity and oncology. Biovitrum also has expert knowledge and capabilities in process development and GMP manufacturing of recombinant protein drugs, which is offered to Biovitrum's partners and customers.
Global Genomics Introducing Tangerine, a solution for gene expression profiling that identifies virtually all active genes in a given sample. The technology can be applied within drug discovery to support target and lead identification and validation through to analysis during clinical trials.
Karo Bio Product opportunities are Selective GR modulators/ Anti-inflammatory therapeutics, Selective AR modulators/ Prostate cancer, Selective TR modulators, HRT, SERMs, Dxr compound series/ Antibacterial, IspB compound series/ Antibacterial, 10 Biokey(R) assays/ Antibacterial.
Melacure Therapeutics Seeking partnerships with leading companies in therapeutic areas relevant to the melanocortin receptor field (MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5) with opportunities in inflammation, obesity, diabetes and sexual dysfunction.
NeuroNova is seeking strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with an international presence in order to further the clinical development and commercialisation of its innovative therapies within its Therapeutic Neurogenesis and its Cell Transplantation Therapy programs.
(Information from Sveriges Exportrad -- The Swedish Trade Council)
BUSINESS ARENA STOCKHOLM The City Hall, SE-105 35 Stockholm, Sweden. Visiting address: Hantverkargatan 3B Phone: +46 8 508 280 80 Fax: +46 8 651 76 33 info@bas.stockholm.se www.bas.stockholm.se