FIND BIOFINLAND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

FIND BIOFINLAND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013 BIOFINLAND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Dear Reader, Find BioFinland publication...
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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

BIOFINLAND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES Dear Reader, Find BioFinland publication introduces Finnish life science investment opportunities and knowhow. Over the past twenty years Finland has invested heavily in research and development in the field of biotechnology. A world-renowned education system and close interaction between companies, universities and research institutes have provided a solid development environment for the Finnish biotechnology industry.

A strong foundation in science and technological expertise are the strengths of our Finnish bioinnovations. These qualities also contribute to the fact that Finland is one of the most competitive nations in the world. Moreover, we Finns have a reputation of being innovative and reliable partners – we are proud of these assets. The publication’s “At the Top” cases present novel compounds, mechanisms, functions or methods found and invented by top researchers and businesses available for partnering.

The publication is not a comprehensive review of all Finnish top level knowhow in life science; rather, it provides interesting highlights, concrete collaboration proposals and short profiles of companies operating in selected areas. We hope this publication helps you in finding the business and research contacts you need. For more information, please contact us: www.healthbio.fi

CONTENTS 4

MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

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SEEING IS BELIEVING

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BIOINFORMATICS

• Using genetic screening for disease risk prediction • In the frontline of diagnostics

• Kuopio Biomedical Imaging Unit • Turku PET Centre

• Computer simulation of biological processes • Bioinformatics in Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM)

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NEW CELL MODELS

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NEUROGAMING

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DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND NEW MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES

• •

• •

The cellular models generated from iPS cells are prominent tools for drug development mimicking the effects in man Organotypic 3D cell models for cancer biology and drug development

Neurogaming helps amblyopia, ADD and ADHD patients Measuring spontaneous consumer responses with neurosensing

• Expertise in drug-delivery systems and new manufacturing technologies • Process analytical technology (PAT)

MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

a key factor in integrated healthcare concepts Molecular diagnostics has a key role in integrated healthcare concepts. Predictive and preventive actions are supported by nucleic acid tests and also combined with therapeutics to achieve the most beneficial health outcome.

AT THE TOP

USING GENETIC SCREENING FOR DISEASE RISK PREDICTION

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Genetic screening has proven its usefulness in evaluating the risk of various diseases. In the near future, it will be possible to use genetic marker information to identify the individuals at higher risk of getting a di­sease. Once identified, these high-risk people could be treated with medication to prevent them from actually developing the disease. This would cut healthcare costs and save many lives.

Ripatti studied the genetic data samples of more than 24,000 Finns, compiling a genetic risk score test panel of 28 genetic markers typical of CHD patients. When combined with screening for traditional CHD risk factors, such as age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure and family history, the genetic risk score test panel helped to reclassify 12% of intermediate-risk individuals into the high-risk group.

Researchers at the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), University of Helsinki, and the National Institute for Health and Welfare have shown that genetic screening could reveal a hidden high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). A research group headed by Professor Samuli

Statin treatment of the reclassified indivi­ duals could prevent hundreds or even thousands of new coronary heart disease cases in Finland. On a European scale, the benefits would be far bigger, as almost one sixth of all Europeans are high-risk patients.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

The use of clinical nucleic acid testing has rapidly increased from its first applications in infectious disease identification to areas like genetic disorders and cancer. E.g. genetic screening is an area with a number of opportunities. The width of applications for nucleic acid testing is virtually unlimited – besides clinical app­ lications the same techniques are used for example in areas like food testing, agriculture, environmental sciences, forensics and bioterrorism. Although molecular diagnostic techniques show superior features compared to many conventional methods the entry into routine has not taken place overnight. Nucleic acid assays are rapid and powerful but they often involve complex and labor-intensive sample preparation and reagent handling, requiring experienced personnel and dedicated facilities.

Molecular diagnostic technologies are evolving rapidly and novel research findings are implemented into commercial use. The trend is towards fast, easy-to-use and economically feasible molecular diagnostic methods allowing testing near the patient. Features for the ideal molecular testing platform include • • • • •

short response time with minimal hands-on simple- and safe-to-use reagent systems automated sample preparation high performance tests with multiplexing capability total cost-effectiveness

AT THE TOP

IN THE FRONTLINE OF DIAGNOSTICS Molecular diagnostics has a long tradition in Department of Biotechnology, University of Turku (DBUT). Almost twenty years of research in the field has produced a vast amount of knowledge which can be exploited today. Scientists at DBUT are combining the latest PCR techniques with luminescent lanthanide labels, another research area that has a long history in Turku, producing research that is in the front line of the field of molecular diagnostics. The exceptional pro­perties of lanthanides enable fast and simple closed-tube homogeneous PCR assays with low background and high dynamic range. At the moment the scientists at DBUT are working with domestic and foreign collaborators to develop tests that can be used to diagnose sepsis-causing bacteria from blood and other pathogenic bacteria from human samples or toxinproducing microbes from food and water. Other important research areas are detection of new biomarkers predicting cancer

and point-of-care diagnostics. Some of the scientific research of DBUT has been successfully commercialized by university spin-out companies. Abacus Diagnostica Oy – an example of a spin-out from University of Turku – is specialized on molecular diagnostics for rapid identification of pathogens critical to human health. Abacus Diagnostica’s automated GenomEra CDX™ -platform is built on a proprietary technology originating from the Department of Biotechnology, University of Turku. GenomEra makes it possible to perform high-performance DNA-based testing even outside a dedicated laboratory and without specialized personnel. Assay menu includes MRSA/SA -tests for various matrixes, Clostridium difficile direct test from stool sample and further tests in the pipeline. GenomEra CDX™ is CE-marked for IVD-use with installations in more the 11 countries.

A spinout from the University of Turku: the heart of Abacus Diagnostica’s Genomera CDX™ -system is an all-inclusive DNA-based test chip, which makes routine testing of infectious diseases possible in a cost and time saving manner in every lab.

CONTACTS Diagnostic Research Institutions and Networks:

• FIMM, www.fimm.fi • University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi, www.uef.fi/fi/neuro/biomarkers, www.uef.fi/fi/genediagnostics, www.uef.fi/fi/neuro/alzheimer-director • University of Turku, www.sci.utu.fi/biokemia/en/research/biotechnology/ • University of Turku, Laboratory of Biophysics, www.med.utu.fi/anatomia/en/research/research_mpe/ VTT, www.vtt.fi and www.vtt.fi/research/technology/drug_development_cancer_systems_biology_ diagnostics.jsp

Diagnostic Companies: • • • • • • • • • • • •

Abacus Diagnostica Ltd, www.abacusdiagnostica.com ArcDia Group, www.arcdia.com DHR Finland Oy, Innotrac Diagnostics www.innotrac.fi Labmaster Oy, www.labmaster.fi Mobidiag Ltd, www.mobidiag.com Modern Diagnostics Oy Orion Diagnostica, www.oriondiagnostica.fi/ PerkinElmer Human Health/Wallac Ltd, www.perkinelmer.com Personmed Finland Ltd, www.personmed.eu Reagena Ltd, www.reagena.fi Syrinx Bioanalytics Ltd, www.syrinxbioanalytics.com Turku Allergy Factory AB, www.turku-allergy-factory.com

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

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SEEING IS BELIEVING

– world leading expertise in Finnish BioImaging Imaging technologies are essential for the future of global healthcare. It is impossible to practice medicine without imaging-based diagnostics, and, furthermore, microscopic imaging is a crucial tool to understand the functions of cells and their structures in biomedical research. The visualization of biological phenomena has in fact resulted in more ground-breaking discoveries than any other technology in the history, significantly contributing to the development of modern technologies in preventing and identifying diseases.

AT THE TOP

KUOPIO BIOMEDICAL IMAGING UNIT Kuopio Biomedical Imaging Unit houses the best small animal high field MRI instrumentation in Finland including two 9.4 T and one 7T MRI scanners. Instruments are equipped with large variety different MRI coils and pulse-sequence. In addition PET, SPECT/ CT, ultrasound and optical imaging facilities enable multimodal imaging studies in various animal models. Site has > 20 years’ experience in biomedical NMR and experimental MRI and personnel is trained for data acquisition, protocol optimization, writing pulse sequences and for Matlab based data analysis. The unit has served > 10 years as national infrastructure both for academia and industry unit and personnel can rapidly implement new techniques when requested. Kuopio Biomedical Imaging Unit in A.I.Virtanen Institute houses 9.4 T/31 cm MRI system equipped with multiple RF and gradient coils and two consoles. This versatile high field MRI scanner can run practically all contemporary MRI techniques providing insight to anatomy, microstructure, metabolism and function in preclinical in vivo settings.

CONTACTS Research institutions • • • • • • • •

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Aalto NeuroImaging (ANI), ani.aalto.fi/ BioimageXD, www.bioimagexd.net BioMag research laboratory at HUCH, www.biomag.hus.fi/ Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST), www.crst.fi Flowing software, www.flowingsoftware.com Helsinki Functional Imaging Center (HFIC), www.hfic.helsinki.fi/ HFICHTB Unit, Technology Center, FIMM, www.fimm.fi/en/technologycentre/htb/ Kuopio Biomedical Imaging Unit, www.uef.fi/fi/aivi/biu

• • • • • • • •

Oulu BioImaging (OBI), www.oulu.fi/obi/ Turku BioImaging (TBI), www.bioimaging.fi Turku Brain and Mind Centre, www.tbmc.fi Turku Center for Disease Modeling, www.tcdm.fi Turku Pet Centre, www.turkupetcentre.fi Univ. of Eastern Finland Multimodal Imaging Core, www.uef.fi/fi/aivi/muic Univ. of Jyväskylä Nanoscience and Imaging Center, https://www.jyu.fi/bioenv/en/divisions/smb/jif Univ. of Tampere Imaging Core, http://cofa.uta.fi/

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

Companies

• Atostek Oy, www.atostek.com • Charles River Discovery Research Services Finland

Finland has the best imaging infrastructure in Europe (www.eurobioimaging.eu). The imaging facilities in Finland form a collaborative network, Finnish BioImaging, FiBI. FiBI provides a full spectrum of biological and medical imaging services easily accessible for both academic and industrial users. There is a division of tasks among the participants, each of them spearhead technologies of their own expertise area. In advanced light microscopy, Turku specializes on superresolution microscopy and Helsinki on label-free imaging and correlative light and electron microscopy. For high-throughput microscopy Helsinki has joined its forces with Kuopio. Oulu develops machine vision techniques, and provides mesoscopic imaging expertise with Tampere. For preclinical and clinical in vivo imaging, Turku PET Centre with Kuopio and Helsinki universities form a platform with PET, SPECT, MRI, ultrasound, CT, optical imaging and probe development. This combination of techniques enables multimodal studies where the same question is addressed with different methods. The in vivo platform is further reinforced with human neuroimaging modalities from Helsinki and Aalto universities. TURKU BIOIMAGING – FROM ATOMS TO ANATOMY Turku BioImaging (TBI), a joint organization of Åbo Akademi University and the University of Turku, is the coordinator of the FiBI network. Turku has longstanding traditions in both imaging and diagnostics. It is also the coordinating unit for the Finnish participation in the Euro-BioImaging, a pan-European infrastructure, which aims to provide access to cutting-edge imaging methods for all European scientists. In Turku, the two universities, the hospital and the new Auria Biobank are all located on the same campus, enabling smooth collaboration and easy access to material. Turku also trains new imaging experts in the international MSc program of Biomedical imaging. The available imaging methods cover the resolution range from single molecule tracking to whole body imaging. Turku BioImaging

STED image of osteoclasts

provides state-of-the-art instruments, teaching and services in medical imaging, preclinical animal imaging with advanced disease models, basic and advanced light microscopy, flow cytometry, cell sorting and electron microscopy. TBI also offers versatile, customised data analysis services with software developed in-house; Flowing Software for flow cytometry and BioImageXD for microscopy. Another flagship is the Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) super-resolution microscopy, one of the most requested technologies in Europe. The principle of STED was invented by Stefan Hell in Turku in mid-90´s. With STED it is possible to break the diffraction barrier of light to see cellular details at the molecular level, even in live cells. The Laboratory of Biophysics at the University of Turku has a multichannel STED instrument and the experiments are individually planned with the engineers, physicists and bioscientists. It is also possible to modify the instrument, combine STED with AFM, FLIM and FCS modalities and design new data processing methods.

AT THE TOP

Courtesy of TPC

Courtesy of TPC

TURKU PET CENTRE Turku PET Centre, TPC, is a world leader in molecular imaging and PET. It is a National Centre of Excellence in the field of Molecular Imaging in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research. In addition to multidisciplinary research, TPC provides diagnostics for health care and contract research services for industry. The centre has PET and PET/CT scanners, MRI, PET/MRI and digital ultrasound systems. It produces more than 70 different tracers, which is very unique, even at global level. Radioactive tracers are indispensable for all PET imaging, and they are often a real bottleneck, because developing and synthetizing new tracers can be the most time-consuming part of a project.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

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BIOINFORMATICS In Finland world class bioscience expertise is combined to strong ICT and computational knowhow. Bioinformatics research started in Finland by the end of 1980’s, and in the beginning of 1990’s the Finnish pharmaceutical industry already used bioinformatics in their drug discovery. Nowadays bioinformatics is a standard tool in many research fields.

AT THE TOP

COMPUTER SIMULATION OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES Scientific computing has a crucial role in addressing many biological questions. Due to that, Biocenter Oulu provides Biocomputing core facility, where one of the services is the computer simulation. Computer simulation techniques are important tools in studying the properties of biomolecules in their natural environment and their interactions with other molecules. A simulation serves to emulate the actions (behavior) of an actual physical process or system on a computer, with the objective of predicting and explaining physical quantities and phenomena, associated with the given physical system. The knowledge gained by performing such simulations is frequently relied upon in various important areas of basic and medical research, but also, for instance, in the drug design industry to speed up the process of drug finding and drug target analysis. In Oulu, the computer simulation focuses on biological processes, specifically the development and application of software tools for simula­ting biological systems on a computer, with the aim of explaining the behavior or molecular dynamics of a given process, for example brain tumor growth, or protein adsorption at interfaces.

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

Bioinformatics provides tools to translate multidimensional biological data into knowledge and medical benefits. Due to advances in biological measurement technologies, bioinformatics has become an integral part of biological and biomedical research. Bioinforma­tics application field is now expanding; in the future there will be new applications, methods and tools, not only for the researchers, but also for consumers and authorities. The bioinformatics market has shown steady growth globally over the past 5 years and is predicted to reach $6.2 bn in 2013. The largest sub-sector is content, followed by analysis software, services and IT infrastructure. During the last 5 years, 20% of the new discoveries are based on genomics and proteomics, which have boosted the growth of bioinformatics tools. One of the main drivers has been the need for a common base for transfer of data, information and knowledge to enable an informatics-based decision support system.

AT THE TOP

BIOINFORMATICS IN INSTITUTE FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE FINLAND (FIMM) FIMM is a national and international research institute in Helsinki focusing on human genomics and personalized medicine. FIMM’s computing infrastructure has been designed for scalability and flexibility utili­zing the latest information technologies, to enable us to meet the rapidly increasing storage and performance requirements of data driven research. A major effort has been put in to automating the analysis work flows that need to happen after next generation sequencing.

infrastructure for solving questions in bioinformatics, molecular medicine, genetics and related fields, are provided. Researchers from FIMM and Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT have developed a triumphant solution for predicting responses of breast cancer cells to a set of cancer drugs. The prediction is based on the genomic profiles of the cancer cells: activity of genes, epigenetics, and genetic profiles. Although the result is still far from clinical applicability, computational personalized medicine has taken an encouraging, prize-winning step forward.

FIMM provides expertise and help in the many areas of bioinformatics. Also the computing platform and necessary storage

CONTACTS Research Institutions and Networks • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Aalto University School of Science. http://ics.aalto.fi/en, http://research.ics.aalto.fi/mi Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT), www.hiit.fi Biocenter Kuopio, http://www.uef.fi/en/bck Biocenter Oulu, www.oulu.fi/biocenter/biocomputing-and-bioinformatics Biomedinfra, www.biomedinfra.fi Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM), www.fimm.fi/en Tampere University of Technology, csb.cs.tut.fi, sp.cs.tut.fi Turku Centre for Biotechnology, www.btk.fi/bioinformatics, www.sci.utu.fi/projects/biokemia/bioxlabs/index.html Turku Centre for Computer Science, www.tucs.fi University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi/en/kemia/tutkimus, www.uef.fi/en/aivi/neuro/genomics University of Helsinki, www.cdr.fi/index.php, http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/research/fdk, www.cs.helsinki.fi/research/algodan, www.biocenter.helsinki.fi/bi/xray/goldman/Home.html University of Oulu, www.biochem.oulu.fi/Biocomputing University of Tampere, www.uta.fi University of Turku, www.utu.fi VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, http://www.vtt.fi/research/technology/data_mining.jsp?lang=en Åbo Akademi, web.abo.fi/fak/mnf/bkf/research/johnson

Companies



• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

4Pharma Ltd, www.4pharma.com Applied Numerics Ltd, www.appliednumerics.fi BC Platforms Ltd, www.bcplatforms.com BCB Medical Ltd, www.bcbmedical.com BioComputing Ltd, www.biocomputing.fi BiOptima, www.bioptima.fi Cyberell Ltd, www.cyberell.com Euformatics Ltd, www.euformatics.com/content/home Finbiosoft Ltd, www.finbiosoft.com Genevia Technologies, www.genevia.fi Genomi Solutions Ltd, www.genomi.fi IT Center for Science Ltd (CSC), www.csc.fi Medbase Ltd, www.medbase.fi MediSapiens Ltd, www.medisapiens.com Personmed Finland Ltd, www.personmed.eu Software Point Ltd, www.softwarepoint.com Statfinn Ltd, www.statfinn.fi Triacle Biocomputing Ltd, www.triacle-bc.com Visipoint Ltd, www.visipoint.fi Xemet Ltd, www.xemet.com Zorabiosciences Ltd, www.zora.fi/biomarkers

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

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NEW CELL MODELS

based on human biology enable significant leaps forward in drug development Human cell based test models are regarded as one solution to improve probability of success in drug development. These methods are under strong development in Finland by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and BioMediTech (joint institute of University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology) as well as FICAM (Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods) operating in the School of Medicine at the University of Tampere. The use of advanced and highly automated technologies and reprogrammable cells accelerate disease mechanism, efficacy and safety studies, and thus promote drug development.

AT THE TOP

THE CELLULAR MODELS GENERATED FROM IPS CELLS ARE PROMINENT TOOLS FOR DRUG DEVELOPMENT MIMICKING THE EFFECTS IN MAN Cardiovascular test models based on human cells are under development at the University of Tampere. In a couple of years, it is estimated to be in routine use for safety testing of drugs and other chemicals. Adjunct Professor, Cardiologist Katriina Aalto-Setälä from BioMediTech says that iPS cells offer several new opportunities.

iPS cells derived cardiomyocytes

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“The iPS models can be used to study an individual patient’s drug responses and the effects of different drug combinations. We can also study different disease specific cell lines in Finland because our public health care system provides medical records and family background.” According to Aalto-Setälä the need for more advanced methods in drug development is significant, as the number of new drug molecules has decreased. “One could perhaps say that the so-called easy drugs have already been invented”. BioMediTech’s heart group develops a heart tissue model together with FICAM. The developed functional heart construct consists of iPS cardiomyocytes produced by BioMediTech and blood vessels produced by FICAM. “Currently, the effects are studied using animal tests, but because

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

animal biology is in many ways different from that of a man their results might not be relevant for human drug development. Using a heart tissue model based on human cells can significantly reduce costs compared to that of testing with animals,” describes Tuula Heinonen, Director of FICAM.

Assessment of toxicological and pharmacological effects of compounds on human heart using hESC-derived cardiomyocytes

Up to 91% of drug candidates fail during drug development because of their side effects, low absorbability or inefficacy. The earlier the side effects or inefficacy are detected, the quicker and more cost-effective decisions can be made for that particular drug candidate. The new human-based cell models offer new perspectives in the drug development and new business possibilities in this sector.

In addition, iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) have been highlighted in Finland as a significant opportunity for drug development and diagnostics as well as in the production of human spare parts in the future. High speed, individualization and diversity are common advantages provided by iPS cells. Using them in research and pro­duct development removes the ethical problem related to traditional research based on embryonic stem cells.

TOP TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD The Finnish research and development on cellular and tissue models and their automation are globally in the frontline. Introduced during 2000’s, fully automated systems for the downregulation of genes by RNAi technology provides a good example of newly developed automated processes. Moreover, the effects of new pharmaceutical entities can be accurately examined with the highly automated High Content Screening (HCS) in 3D cellular models.

As experts • MD, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Cardiologist Katriina Aalto-Setälä from the University of Tampere, BioMediTech • PhD, Adjunct Professor, Tuula Heinonen from the School of Medicine for the University of Tampere, FICAM • Senior Principal Scientist, Ph.D. Harri Siitari from VTT

AT THE TOP

ORGANOTYPIC 3D CELL MODELS FOR CANCER BIOLOGY AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT VTT has developed a miniaturized three-dimensional screening platform for small compound testing, drug and drug target validation. The standardized experimental conditions have been optimized for high content microscopic image analysis, which provides numerical data about number of cell spheroids, spheroid structure and response rates. The real-time, live cell image analysis software is a key tool to monitor the dynamics and heterogeneity of cell growth, differentiation, invasion and other relevant morphological features in cancer development.

Over 30 normal and cancer cell models have been optimized for 3D culture. They specifically address the most relevant problems in oncology: invasive growth, proliferation and cell death. The multicellular organoids often respond differently to drugs compared to cells in 2D monolayer culture, drugs that fail in 2D may be effective in 3D. Automated cell based screening system att VTT Turku

The three-dimensional model systems mimic more accurately the complex breast and prostate cancer biology than the conventional monolayer cell cultures. The model systems have been miniaturized to provide high content, cost-effective and standardized screening platform. The knowledge obtained aid pharma companies in their decision making by providing more relevant information in highthroughput mode about the efficacy, toxicity or mode of action of their drug compounds. These types of models can be used as an intermediate validation step between primary drug screening and animal experiments.

CONTACTS Research Institutions and Networks • • • • • • • • • •

BioCity Turku, www.biocity.turku.fi FICAM (Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods), www.ficam.fi Turku BioImaging (TBI), www.bioimaging.fi Turku Center for Disease Modeling, www.tcdm.fi University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi University of Helsinki, Biomedicum Stem Cell Center, www.med.helsinki.fi/english/research/core/core_BSCC.html University of Helsinki, faculty of pharmacy, www.helsinki.fi/pharmacy/ University of Tampere, BioMediTech, www.biomeditech.fi University of Turku, www.utu.fi VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, www.vtt.fi

Service providers and companies • • • • • •

BioSiteHisto Oy, www.biositehisto.com CM Technologies Oy, www.c-mtechnologies.com Glykos Finland Oy, www.glykos.fi Hycail Ltd, www.hycail.fi Pharmatest Services Ltd, www.pharmatest.com Syrinx Bioanalytics Ltd, www.syrinxbioanalytics.com

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

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NEUROGAMING enhances brain health

The thriving Finnish gaming industry, which has come up with sizzling hot global hit games such as Angry Birds, is joining forces with Finnish neuroscientists to develop novel treatments for many brain disorders. The outcome of their combined expertise is known as therapeutic neurogaming. It involves hybrid products incorporating hardware, software based on cognitive science, and, in some cases, also standard therapeutics such as functional therapies or medication.

AT THE TOP

NEUROGAMING HELPS AMBLYOPIA, ADD AND ADHD PATIENTS Hermo Pharma is a company developing a rehabilitation therapy combining a neurogaming platform with drug therapy for adult amblyopia patients. The product concept is based on groundbreaking experimental research carried out by a research group headed by Professor Eero Castrén, director of the Neuroscience Centre in Helsinki.

the ball teaches the patients to concentrate better, and gradually neural paths adapt. In a pilot test with adult ADD and ADHD patients, the players’ average score improvement after 40 gaming sessions was 20%”, explains Ville Tapio, chairman of the CENT research project steering group and founder of Mental Capital Care, the company commercialising the therapy product.

Amblyopia, also known as ‘lazy eye’, sometimes develops during early childhood, when the brain reduces the processing of visual information coming from one eye.

Also patients suffering from memory problems, aging-related impaired brain functions or depression can benefit from Neuroplasticity Therapy.

“Neurogaming based rehabilitation aims to restructure neuronal networks in the brain. The patients play an interactive computer game for half an hour, their healthy eye covered by a pirate patch. This forces their brain to adapt in a similar way as weak muscles do in gym training. The game adjusts to the patients’ performance level, sending visual impulses to the brain for therapy, and giving positive feedback. The treatment is accompanied by fluoxetine therapy,” says Juhani Lahdenperä, CEO of Hermo Pharma. The rehabilitation therapy is in Phase 2 clinical trials. The results seem promising. Neuroplasticity Therapy is used to treat adult ADD and ADHD patients. This neurofeedback therapy is based on Computer Enabled Neuroplasticity Treatment (CENT), developed by a research group headed by Professor Christina M. Krause at the University of Helsinki Cognitive Science Unit. “The patients wear a helmet-like rubber headpiece with holes, through which sensors are inserted to measure the EEG activity of their brains. Simple Ball, one of the games used, measures two different brain signals, and the closer they are to the target level, the higher the ball on the screen levitates. With neurofeedback,

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

The human brain is very flexible. The idea of therapeutic neurogaming is to alter undesired behavioural and brain states by using instant and interactive biofeedback that teaches the patients how to modify their brain activity. The feedback adjusts to the patients’ response, allowing their brains to adapt to the changing stimuli. As the patients learn how to concentrate better, their gaming scores gradually improve. It’s about controlling the game with your mind, and about repetition.

Finland is the world’s most potential neurogaming hotspot. The first neurogaming products have been approved for the government healthcare plan, with commercialised next-generation versions and more compelling games expected soon. The global potential of therapeutic neurogaming in reducing healthcare costs worldwide is huge, as it reduces the need for medication and gives longer-lasting results.

AT THE TOP

MEASURING SPONTANEOUS CONSUMER RESPONSES WITH NEUROSENSING Finding out how people really feel about objects is not trivial. Self-reporting is always filtered by the person, and many transient emotions go unnoticed or are soon forgotten. However, this information would be valuable for marketers and for the gaming industry, and in studies of emotion and reward related topics, such as decision-making.

Johanna Närväinen VTT Kuopio, [email protected]

There are ways to detect fast, spontaneous responses. Reflections of emotions can be detected using tools that are lighter and more flexible than functional MRI, which is widely used in psychology. EEG-activity, “brain waves”, is associated with, for example, approach motivation. Heartbeat and skin conductivity reflect arousal, while the electrical activity of face muscles can detect minute facial expressions. Eye tracking can tell which components catch the eye and which do not – and when. When all these are measured continuously during, for example, a TV ad or a gaming session, the experience can be analysed and visualised. The new VTT MindMotion research service will provide this analysis to companies, and it can be complemented by VTT’s consumer research. When combined with blood-based monitoring of chemicals regulating eating and the reward system, conducted by the Clinical Nutrition Unit at University of Eastern Finland, a unique research platform is available for studying integrated consumer responses to food or other reward stimuli. This infrastructure can be used for both commercial and academic research projects.

CONTACTS Research Institutions and Networks • • • • • • • • •

Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST), www.crst.fi The Finnish Brain Research and Rehabilitation Center Neuron, www.neuron.fi/fi/page/43 Turku Brain and Mind Center, www.tbmc.fi Turku PET Centre, www.turkupetcentre.fi University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi University of Helsinki, Cognitive Science Unit, www.helsinki.fi/kognitiotiede/english University of Helsinki, Neuroscience Center, www.helsinki.fi/neurosci University of Turku, www.utu.fi VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, www.vtt.fi

Companies • • • • •

Biotie Therapies Corp., www.biotie.com Hermo Pharma Ltd, www.hermopharma.com Mental Capital Care, www.mentalcapitalcare.fi Neurotar Ltd, www.neurotar.com Nexstim Ltd, www.nexstim.com

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DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND NEW MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES for pharmaceuticals Drug delivery is an essential part of pharmaceutical sciences that should be taken into account early in the drug discovery and development process. A drug that cannot be delivered to its site of action is in principal useless. Drug delivery is affected by the physical-chemical properties of the drug and formulation and the interplay of these factors with the transport, binding, and metabolism of the drug in the body.

AT THE TOP

EXPERTISE IN DRUG-DELIVERY SYSTEMS Research in the different academic groups in Turku, is focused on various types of advanced drug delivery systems and new manufacturing technologies. There is, for instance, a strong focus on development and design of nanoparticles for specific biomedical and drug delivery applications. Associate professor Jarno Salonen’s research group at the Laboratory of Industrial Physics, University of Turku, has a strong emphasis on nanoporous drug carriers to improve the dissolution properties of poorly soluble drugs and target ability. Associate professor Jessica Rosenholm’s BioNanoMaterials Group at Åbo Akademi University (ÅA) studies the applicability of the developed nanomaterials for in vitro and in vivo drug delivery and biomedical imaging purposes among other aspects. A small biodegradable silica implant for intra-ocular controlled delivery of drugs by DelSiTech Ltd. The implant on a fingertip.

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INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

The role of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical research has emerged. Nanotechnology is expected to provide new opportunities for tool development in drug delivery and ADME –research (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion). From a Finnish perspective, Turku and Kuopio are important hubs for pharmaceutical industry and research. Promis Centre in Kuopio is a multidisciplinary research consortium that develops and uses new methods for analysis and optimization of pharmaceutical processes. Promis Centre consists of three

research partners (University of Eastern Finland, Savonia University of Applied Sciences, and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland) and several industrial partners ranging from large global to small local enterprises. Many national and global companies are based in Turku and active academic groups are located in the area. Especially pharmaceutical technology and physical pharmacy are strong competences in Turku.

AT THE TOP

PROCESS ANALYTICAL TECHNOLOGY (PAT) The focus and principle of PROMIS Centre, led by Professor Jarkko Ketolainen and Key Account Manager Mikko Juuti, in addition of providing a platform for industrially focused research and development and manufacturing process optimization, is to support technology transfer and commercialization of innovations in pharmaceutical manufacturing science. Professor Niklas Sandler’s group in ÅA is also active in powder technology and process analytical technology for increased understanding of the process ability of materials during batch- and continuous drug manufacturing processes. Pharmaceutical Science Laboratory at Åbo Akademi University, develops and explores new technologies for drug manufacturing. In this context, different types of printing technologies in the fabrication of drug delivery systems and their possibilities in the personalized dosing of medicines are studied. The use of printing technologies allows the construction of tailor made medicines and enormous flexibility in dosing of drug substances.

Photo: Marko Kaarre

Promis Centre focuses its research on process analytical technology (PAT) applications for pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Current research themes include, for example, process and PAT tool development for traditional solid dosage unit operations such as granulation, but especially for continuous manufacturing of tablets, in addition to biopharmaceutical processes such as protein production and their downstream lyophilization. The synergistic blend of pharmaceutics, sensors and data-analysis skill-sets makes PROMIS Centre an ideal place for Quality by Design (QbD) and PAT related research and development to support the pharmaceutical industry’s development activities. For instance, the new continuous tablet manufacturing line is a unique set-up for companies to test their formulations and develop the needed process analytics at the same time. In addition, the high-class freezedrying facilities, e.g. a fully instrumented freeze-drying microscope and a pilot scale freeze-dryer give substantial edge for the companies in this field, to speed up their formulation and process development of freeze-dried products.

Conveyors transferring powders from one process to the next one are critical parts of continuous manufacturing.

CONTACTS Research Institutions and Networks • • • • • • • •

Promis Centre, www.promiscentre.fi University of Eastern Finland, www.uef.fi University of Helsinki, faculty of pharmacy, www.helsinki.fi/pharmacy/ University of Turku, Laboratory of Industrial Physics, www.biomaterials.utu.fi/ VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, www.vtt.fi Åbo Akademi University, Department of Biosciences, www.biomaterials.utu.fi/ Åbo Akademi University, Department of Physical Chemistry, www.biomaterials.utu.fi/ Åbo Akademi University, Pharmaceutical Sciences, www.abo.fi/institution/en/farmaciforskning, http://www.funmat.fi/index.php

Companies • • • • •

Bayer Oy, www.bayer.com DelSiTech Ltd, www.delsitech.com FinVector Vision Therapies Ltd, www.finvector.com Galena Pharma Oy, www.galena.fi Orion Corp., www.orion.fi

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN FINNISH LIFE SCIENCES 2013

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