COMPANY BIOS FOR THE 2011 SUMMIT

Presenting Companies

Algeta »
Aura Biosciences
IMMUNE Pharmaceuticals
Kancera »
PledPharma »
Recopharma »
Topotarget »
Viropro »
XDx

Rising Stars

AddBIO »
KalVista Pharmaceuticals »
NoseLabs »
PCAsso Diagnostics »
Pink Army Cooperative »
Xbrane Bioscience »

Download Company Bios for the 2011 Summit (pdf, 320Kb)  »


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Algeta

Algeta

Algeta is a company focused on developing novel targeted therapies for patients with cancer based on its alpha-pharmaceutical platform. These alpha-pharmaceuticals harness the unique characteristics of alpha-particle emitters and offer the potential to deliver potent and localized destruction of cancer cells with minimal effect on surrounding normal cells and a favorable side-effect profile. Algeta’s initial focus is on treating bone metastases, a serious clinical development of advanced cancer for which few specific treatments exist, and which represents an area of significant commercial potential. The Company’s lead product, Alpharadin® (radium-223 chloride), is a first-in-class alpha-pharmaceutical that is being developed under a development and commercialization agreement with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals AG. In June 2011, a global phase III clinical trial (ALSYMPCA) of Alpharadin to treat bone metastases in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) was stopped early after meeting its primary endpoint of significantly improving overall survival. Alpharadin is also in clinical trials as a potential new treatment for bone metastases in endocrine-refractory breast cancer patients, and in combination with docetaxel chemotherapy for bone metastases in CRPC patients. Algeta is also exploring the potential of Targeted Thorium Conjugates (TTCs), which are based on conjugating the alpha-emitter thorium-227 to tumor-targeting molecules, as a basis of future targeted alpha-pharmaceutical candidates. The Company was founded in 1997 and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange in 2007 (Ticker: ALGETA).

For further information visit www.algeta.com
or contact Andrew Kay, CEO at andrew.kay@algeta.com


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Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences

Aura Biosciences is applying nanotechnology to the fight against cancer.  It has developed the proprietary NanoSmart™ technology platform to enable earlier detection of, and precise treatment of, cancers and distant metastasis.  Nanosmart is based on NanoSphere Particles (NSPs) that have a selective tropism for epithelial-derived tumor cells.  Aura’s unique approach first encapsulates FDA-approved fluorophores into NSPs, a nano-particle that is optimally sized to efficiently move into the diseased tissue, penetrate tumor cells and release the fluorescent cargo in the cytoplasm to enable the real time visualization of tumors and metastasis. In a second step, the same nanoparticle can be used to deliver a chemotherapeutic drug directly to the tumor increasing its efficacy, greatly reducing the overall toxicity and ultimately impacting survival rates. Aura Biosciences is privately held and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  The company was recognized by the World Economic Forum as a Technology Pioneer; and its Founder and CEO Elisabet de los Pinos was selected by TIME Magazine as one of ten entrepreneurs “that will change your life.”

For furhter infotmation visit www.aurabiosciences.com
or contant Elisabet de los Pinos, CEO at epinos@aurabiosciences.com


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IMMUNE Pharmaceuticals

IMMUNE Pharmaceuticals

IMMUNE Pharmaceuticals is a Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) Development Stage Company based in Israel and in the US. IMMUNE focuses on Inflammation and Cancer with a portfolio of clinical and pre-clinical projects. Our lead mAb, Bertilimumab, was licensed by IMMUNE for all systemic indications from iCo Therapeutics (TSX:ICO) which retains rights for the ophthalmic indications. Bertilimumab, a first-in-class fully human mAb targeting eotaxin-1, was originally developed by Cambridge Antibody Therapeutics, now part of MedImmune, the Biologics Division of AstraZeneca.  Bertilimumab has successfully completed phase I/IIa in allergy and will be initially further developed by IMMUNE for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and then for other relevant indications including Severe Asthma. IMMUNE research laboratories are located in Ness-Ziona, Israel and we have established close collaborations with the Weizmann Institute and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Our NanoMAbs technology is an alternative to Antibody Drug Conjugates. NanoMabs allow the delivering of micro-doses of cytotoxics to tumor cells and generates a therapeutic response in non responder Antigen expressing patients.

For further information visit www.immunepharmaceuticals.com
or contact Daniel Teper, CEO at d.teper@immunepharma.com


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Kancera

Kancera

Kancera AB is a biotechnology company, with roots in Pharmacia and the Karolinska Institute, which focuses on the development and sale of drug candidates that have the potential to cure or to stop the progression of cancer. Kancera is currently running two projects, one to develop a treatment for leukemia and one project targeting solid tumor’s ability to generate energy in order to survive. At Kancera, we also develop cancer models and stem cell-based techniques that make it possible to study the effect of drug candidates on human tumors, long before start of clinical trials. Our strengths include an experienced Board of Directors, management and organization, two drug candidates with great potential under development, a union of industrial and clinical expertise and access to an internationally validated product development capacity which makes the risky pharmaceutical development more precise. Kancera’s operations, including 20 drug discovery and development professionals, are as of September 1st run at the Karolinska Science Park in Solna, Sweden.

For further information visit www.kancera.com
or contact Thomas Olin, CEO at thomas.olin@kancera.com


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PledPharma

PledPharma

PledPharma is a Swedish based specialty pharma company focused on developing improved treatments of life-threatening diseases such as cancer and heart disease. In two ongoing clinical phase II programs the company addresses the ability of PLED-derivatives to: 1) protect patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy against dose limiting toxicities, and 2) reduce reperfusion injury in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. The company’s proprietary PLED-derivative technology has previously demonstrated protective effects on oxidative stress in preclinical models and in cancer patients. PledPharma’s vision is to be the leading specialty pharma company, which develops medicines that prevent normal cells from oxidative stress damage in connection with treatment of life threatening diseases. The company’s business model is to develop pharmaceuticals, in areas of large medical need, based on our proprietary technology. The aim is to take the clinical projects through phase IIb and then out-license projects to partners with resources to take them through regulatory approval and to commercial success. PledPharma (STO: PLED) is listed on First North.

For further information visit www.pledpharma.se
or contact Jacques Näsström, CEO at jacques.nasstrom@pledpharma.se


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Recopharma

Recopharma

Recopharma has developed a unique technology that uses mucins - naturally occurring, heavily glycosylated proteins produced by epithelial tissues. The Company is focused on R&D of ophthalmic products. The Company’s products will provide a natural alternative to the currently available ocular lubricants and tear substitutes, and will be used as a prophylactic against, and treatment for, viral conjunctivitis. Mucins are carriers of carbohydrate receptors for viruses and bacteria binding to host cells during infection. In the eye, mucins form an integral part of the eye’s defense against infections, providing a physical barrier to infection as well as molecular decoys for microbes. They can therefore be used as a topical treatment for viral conjunctivitis, for which no curative treatment is currently available. The global market for dry eye products is estimated at c. $1.7 billion (2009) and for ophthalmic anti-infectives to treat conjunctivitis at c. $1.1 billion. Recopharma’s technology has many other potential future applications including as vaccine adjuvant. Recopharma’s 300 m2 research facilities are located in the Novum Research Park south of Stockholm close to the southern campus of the Karolinska Institute/Karolinska University Hospital.

For further information visit www.recopharma.com
or contact Jan Holgersson, CSO at jan.holgersson@clinchem.gu.se


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Topotarget

Topotarget

Topotarget (NASDAQ OMX: TOPO.CO) is an international biotech company headquartered in Denmark, dedicated to improve cancer therapies. Currently Topotarget has 46 employees and a market cap of EUR 32m. In collaboration with Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc. (our US partner for Belinostat) Topotarget currently focuses on the development in clinical studies of its lead drug candidate, belinostat, which has demonstrated an anti-neoplastic effect in both hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Belinostat can be used in combination with full doses of other chemotherapeutic agents, and is currently in a pivotal trial within PTCL (peripheral T-cell lymphoma) and a randomized phase II in cancer of other unknown primary site (CUP). Topotarget’s cancer drug target is HDAC. In solid tumors Belinostat is used in the combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (BelCaP). Based on pre-clinical and clinical results we assess this combination to be the backbone regiment for belinostat use in solid tumors. In addition to PTCL and CUP our lead compound are assessed in multiple clinical trials as a potential treatment for ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, thymoma, liver, soft tissue sarcoma, lymphoma, AML, and Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), either alone or in combination with other anti-cancer therapies. Finally Topotarget are generating revenue from Totect® developed from Topotarget’s drug discovery technology. Totect® is marketed by the company’s own sales specialists in the US.

For further information visit www.topotarget.com
or contact Francois Martelet, CEO at francois.martelet@topotarget.com


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Viropro

Viropro

Viropro Inc. currently conducts operations through its subsidiaries, Viropro International Inc., Biologics Process Development, Inc. and Alpha Biologics Sdn. Bhd. The company‘s principal objective is to provide clone-to-manufacturing services to bio/pharmaceutical companies globally. Viropro enjoys close working relations with some of the leading biotech research institutes in North America, one of which, for example, is the Biotech Research Institute (BRI) in Montreal, Canada, a constituent of the National Research Council of Canada. Viropro has exclusively licensed from BRI a high-efficiency expression system platform for antibody production.  In April 2010, Viropro acquired 100% of Biologics Process Development (BPD), Inc. (Poway/San Diego, CA) from Intas Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. (IBPL) as part of its strategy to create a global provider of Contract Research and Manufacturing Services specifically for the biotechnology industry. BPD has been providing contract laboratory services to the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries for fourteen years. The range of services includes molecular biology, cell culture, fermentation, protein purification, frozen storage, process scale-up and consulting services. BPD has an impressive list of clients that range from university laboratories to well-known biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. IBPL is one of India‘s leading biotechnology companies. It is the only biotech company in India that has an EMEA-approved cGMP biologics facility and has successfully introduced four biopharmaceuticals in the market. In February 2011, Viropro acquired Alpha Biologics Sdn. Bhd. of Penang, Malaysia, in an all-stock transaction.

For further information visit www.viropro.com
or contact Rajiv Datar, CEO at rvdatar@gmail.com


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XDx

XDx

XDx, Inc., based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a molecular diagnostics company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of high clinical impact, non-invasive gene expression-based tests for the monitoring of transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. The company has developed AlloMap Molecular Expression Testing, an FDA-cleared test, which provides transplant physicians with a tool to aid in the determination of the probability of acute cellular rejection for post-cardiac transplant patient management. Some of the AlloMap technology developed and implemented by XDx in heart transplant patient management is applicable to other conditions that involve transplant rejection and diseases that affect the immune system. XDx’s non-invasive technology offers the potential to decrease healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for patients with a variety of life-threatening or life-altering immune-mediated diseases.

For further information visit www.xdx.com
or contact Matthew Meyer, Vice President, Corporate Development and Legal Affairs at mmeyer@xdx.com


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AddBIO

AddBIO

AddBIO is developing Zolidd, a unique biomaterial product that improves the fixation of orthopedic implants and screws through strengthening of the bone surrounding them. Implant loosening causes patient suffering and is a resource demanding problem, leading to high costs for patient care and re-operations. Compromised bone quality is a significant part of the problem, and improving the strength of the bone surrounding the implant therefore lowers the risk for loosening and other complications.  Zolidd is based on research performed by orthopedic surgeon Professor Aspenberg (Sweden). The bone strengthening effect is achieved by binding a bisphosphonate drug onto the implant.  Bisphosphonates are already approved drugs that have long been given systemically to osteoporotic patients to improve bone quality. Zolidd now enables these drugs to be released locally, directly from the implant. Zolidd strengthens the surrounding bone without changing the underlying properties of the implant itself.  Zolidd is aimed at trauma, spine, and reconstructive orthopedics as well as dental implants. The total orthopedic market is worth approximately 30 billion USD, out of which the estimated addressable market for Zolidd is over 15 billion USD.  Efficacy has also been shown in a dental clinical study. Two additional clinical studies are currently on-going, an extended dental study as well as an osteotomy study, results to be expected during the second half of 2011. AddBIO is out to raise 15 MSEK for the finalization of Zolidd development; clinical trials and regulatory approval.

For further information visit www.addbio.se
or contact Trine Vikinge, CEO at trine.vikinge@addbio.se


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KalVista Pharmaceuticals

KalVista is a new ophthalmology company with a focus on diabetic macular edema formed in May 2011 following the spin out of discovery assets from Vantia Therapeutics. The Company is developing novel plasma kallikrein inhibitors, which represent a new approach to the treatment of diabetic macular edema, the leading cause of adult blindness in developed countries. KalVista has an advanced pre-clinical product pipeline resulting from over 20 years of leading pharmaceutical discovery in the field of serine protease inhibitors and is targeting both intravitreal injection and oral administration. Plasma kallikrein inhibitors target a distinct molecular pathway central to the pathogenesis of diabetic macular edema, and as such have the potential to offer those patients an effective new treatment option.

For further information visit www.kalvista.com
or contact Andy Crockett, CEO at info@kalvista.com


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NoseLabs

NoseLabs

NoseLabs has developed an electronic nose that detects ovarian cancer with a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 91% (tested on about 400 biopsies) - a result that can save lives. The cancer detection potential is however not limited to ovarian cancer; NoseLabs' research also covers alternative types of cancer such as colon and prostate cancer. The electronic nose can detect and identify various substances and has a multitude of application areas (of which several tested), e.g. production quality control, food quality, detection of explosive and health diagnostics. NoseLabs' innovative technology and the electronic nose' unique performance have received wide attention in both national and international media, e.g. Dagens Medicin,  Future Oncology and Al Jazeera. The team consists of the innovator behind the electronic nose, Professor Emeritus Thomas Lindblad (Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden) and entrepreneurs, with experience from management consultancies, law firms, running start-ups and raising capital (previously brought in +20 million SEK in fund-raisings).

For further information visit www.noselabs,com
or contact Andreas Törnblad, Co-Founder at andreas@tornblad.se


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PCAsso Diagnostics

PCAsso Diagnostics

PCAsso Diagnostics is a start-up diagnostics company developing PolyChromatic Angiography (PCA), the next generation of angiography. The company holds an exclusive worldwide license to develop and market PCA from Columbia University. PCA is a novel imaging technology that utilizes dyes of different colors that provides quantitative analysis of vascular leakage in the retina. The granular information provided by PCA will help ophthalmologists grade disease severity more accurately and tailor treatment accordingly to prevent both under-treatment and over-treatment of retinal vascular diseases. PCA will be used in retinal diseases that have a component of blood retinal barrier dysfunction. The main targeted groups are diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration. It is expected that >100 million patients may benefit from PCA worldwide and approximately 10 million patients in the US.

For further information visit www.pcasso.org
or contact Samir Tari, CEO at samir.tari@pcasso.org


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Pink Army Cooperative

Pink Army Cooperative

Pink Army is a new approach to developing breast cancer treatments. It is a community-driven, member owned Cooperative operating by open source principles. Using synthetic biology and virotherapy to bring individualized treatments tailored to each patient’s DNA and cancer, faster and cheaper than ever before.

For further information visit www.pinkarmy.org
or contact Andrew Hessel, Founder at ahessel@gmail.com


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Xbrane Bioscience

Xbrane Bioscience

Xbrane Bioscience develops novel technologies for protein production and vaccine development. The company is a spin-off from the world-leading Center for Biomembrane Research (CBR) at Stockholm University, Sweden. Xbrane develops a versatile platform enabling design of efficient, multivalent vaccines that are compatible with nasal administration. In collaboration with academic and industrial partners the company develops vaccine candidates against life-treating diseases. Xbrane Bioscience also develops products for efficient and cost-effective production of proteins and protein based products. Xbrane Bioscience offers a unique proprietary product portfolio and world-leading expertise within bacterial based protein expression.

For further information visit www.xbrane.com
or contact Maria Alriksson, CEO at maria@xbrane.com




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