Nordic Life Science 1
T E X T b y M AL IN O T M ANI SARA MANGSBO IS ENT
REPRENEUR OF THE YEAR RESEARCHER AND ENTREPRENEUR SARA MANGSBO HAS WON THE FIRST PRIZE IN THIS YEAR’S SWEDISH MAGAZINE VECKANS AFFÄRER SUPER TALENT COMPETITION. ARA MANGSBO WORKS both in academia and business. She is an Associate Senior Lecturer at Uppsala IDOGEN HAS ESTABLISHED A NEW METHOD FOR ITS CELL THERAPY THE COMPANY HAS ESTABLISHED A NOVEL METHOD FOR PREPARATION OF THEIR TOLEROGENIC CELL THERAPY. DOGEN ANNOUNCED IN January 2019 that analyses performed in a scientifically improved evaluation model showed that the company’s technology so far, based on zebularine as a tolerance inducer, did not give the effect that earlier preclinical experiments had indicated. An evaluation of a number of alternative tolerance inducers was initiated in order to identify a more effective method to generate dendritic cells that educate the body to tolerate drugs, endogenous molecules and cells. It has led to the establishment of a new method for the development of the company’s cell therapy projects in the areas of hemophilia (IDO 8), kidney transplant (IDO T) and autoimmune diseases (IDO AID). The new method is based on a selected combination of tolerance-inducing substances that will replace zebularine. The next sub target is to initiate a clinical study of IDO 8 in hemophilia patients who have developed immunity against their treatment. Idogen has also started work on compiling patent applications for the new method. “The last few months have been a test of strength for the company’s employees and with the promising results achieved we can now look back on our efforts with pride,” says Idogen’s previous CEO, Lars Hedbys. During the summer it was announced that Lars Hedbys has resigned as CEO, after five years in the position. Anders Karlsson took over the role on August 19th. University and Chief Development Officer at Ultimovacs, a Nordic cancer vaccine company. Almost a year ago, the company bought a subsidiary of Immuneed AB, an immunotherapy company that Mangsbo had co-founded. “It was extremely interesting and exciting to be involved in an acquisition. I learned a lot from that experience. I enjoy working at full speed and with lot of things going on. As an entrepreneur you have the opportunity to influence and discover new treatments for cancer patients. You also have the opportunity to help create new jobs, work for diversity and inspire others to forge their own path,” says Mangsbo. “Sara is so worthy of this prize and it’s a testament to her entrepreneurship. Her background and expert research skills are in high demand. Sara’s work is not only important for the work at Ultimovacs, but her expertise is also needed in the growing field of cancer research,” says Gunilla Ekström, Managing Director at Ultimovacs. THE NORWEGIAN BIOINFORMATICS COMPANY WILL NOW BECOME A SUBSIDIARY OF NEC AND OPERATE UNDER THE NAME OF NEC ONCOIMMUNITY AS. Sara Mangsbo, CDO, Ultimovacs ONCOIMMUNITY, FOUNDED IN 2014, is dedicated to the development of software solutions that facilitate the effective selection of patients for cancer immunotherapy, and identify optimal neoantigen targets for personalized cancer vaccines and cell therapies in a clinically actionable time frame. NEC announced its business strategy surrounding its AI-driven drug discovery business in May 2019. This acquisition is integral for enhancing the resources and capabilities that support the development of its individualized immunotherapy pipelines, it states. NEC will maintain its focus on drug discovery, while NEC OncoImmunity AS continues its neoantigen prediction services. “These synergies will positioning NEC OncoImmunity as the leading neoantigen prediction service provider in the field,” says Richard Stratford, CEO and co-founder of OncoImmunity. NORDICLIFESCIENCE.ORG 9 PHOTO KENNET RUONA PHOTO MARTINA SJAUNJA