Diagnostics - Turku Science Park

1.
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS AT
BIOTURKU®................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Diagnostic Technologies and Applications ......................................... 3
1.1.1
Markers of Prostate Cancer - MPC ...................................... 3
1.1.2
Autoantibodies in Multiple Sclerosis..................................... 4
1.1.3
Food Diagnostics ................................................................. 4
1.2 Point-of-care Diagnostics.................................................................... 5
1.2.1
Bioaffinity Assay Technology Research............................... 6
1.2.2
Molecular Engineering of Binder Proteins............................ 6
1.3 Customised Antibody Modifications and Production........................... 6
1.4 Luminescent molecules ...................................................................... 7
1.4.1
Products and Services ......................................................... 8
1.4.2
Laboratory of Biophysics...................................................... 8
1.4.3
Nucleic Acid Diagnostics...................................................... 9
1.4.4
Biomedical Instrumentation, Detection and Automation
Technologies........................................................................ 9
1.4.5
Luminescent reporters ......................................................... 9
2.
BIOTURKU® COMPANIES AND THE PRODUCTS AND PROJECT
PORTFOLIOS............................................................................................ 10
Abacus Diagnostica Ltd (www.abacusdiagnostica.com) .................. 10
Aboatox Oy (www.aboatox.com) ...................................................... 10
ArcDia Group (www.arcdia.com) ...................................................... 10
BioControl Systems Ltd (www.biocontrolsys.com) ........................... 10
Biofile Ltd (www.biofilediagnostics.com)........................................... 11
Ekoweb Ltd (www.ekoweb.fi)............................................................ 11
Hidex Oy (www.hidex.com)............................................................... 11
Hytest Ltd (www.hytest.fi) ................................................................. 11
Innotrac Diagnostics (radiometer.com) ............................................. 12
Kaivogen Oy (www.kaivogen.com) ................................................... 12
Labmaster Oy (www.labmaster.fi)..................................................... 12
Orion Diagnostica Oy (www.oriondiagnostica.com).......................... 12
PerkinElmer Human Health / Wallac Oy (www.perkinelmer.com) .... 13
ScanNanoTek Ltd (www.scannanotek.com)..................................... 13
Syrinx Bioanalytics Oy (www.syrinxbioanalytics.com) ...................... 13
Turku Allergy Factory AB (www.turku-allergy-factory.com) .............. 14
Turku Imanet Oy (www.imanet.com) ................................................ 14
June 2010
1.
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, PROGRAMMES AND
PROJECTS AT BIOTURKU®
The BioTurku cluster builds on a strong scientific basis - the largest single-location
Biocampus in Finland is located in Turku, with internationally recognised academic
research and education.
The two universities, University of Turku (www.utu.fi) and Åbo Akademi University
(www.abo.fi), as well as Finland’s largest polytechnic University of Applied Sciences
(www.turkuamk.fi) form the main educational structure for the biotechnology
research.
In addition to the university faculties and polytechnic, biotechnology research is
carried out in a number of research units, institutes and other organisations, e.g.
Turku Centre for Biotechnology (www.btk.fi)
Turku Centre for Biotechnology is an institute of University of Turku and Åbo
Akademi University. The Centre provides technical expertise and co-ordination
services for academic and industrial projects in several central areas of
biotechnology. Many of the key instruments have been installed at the Centre to
create "core facilities" for biotechnical research.
VTT–Technical Research Centre of Finland (www.vtt.fi)
VTT is a multidisciplinary expert organisation on technology and technology-based
business research. VTT’s special strength is its ability to create new, globally
competitive technologies and innovations by combining knowledge and expertise in
different fields. New high-throughput screening methods, biochip technologies
and systems biology research in cancer, metabolic diseases provide new biomarker
candidates for future diagnostics. New technologies are developed for use in future
multiplexed, rapid diagnostic platforms with special emphasis on low cost production
capabilitties. Diagnostic system platforms are developed by combining biosciences
with microelectronics and information technology and protype products such as
MaxRead, which is able to perform 10-100 gene signature or immunoassay
analyses simultaneously, has been produced.
Turku PET Centre (www.turkupetcentre.fi)
Turku PET Centre is a Finnish National Research Institute for the use of short-lived
positron emitting isotopes in the field of medical research, with focus on high quality
scientific research and diagnostic service for the whole country. The centre is
ranked among the top 5 in the world.
Turku BioImaging (www.bioimaging.fi)
Turku has genuine traditions in imaging research. The Turku BioImaging initiative
represents state-of-the-art technologies in the bioscience community in Turku and is
highly interdisciplinary, encompassing all areas of imaging, ranging from molecular
to cellular, from single molecule to whole animal imaging, and from single cell
analysis of sub-cellular events to high-throughput screening (HTS). The initiative
also includes proteomics, systems biology, and computational modelling of cellular
processes as their own specific modalities of bioimaging.
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Turku Clinical Research Centre (Turku CRC) (www.turkucrc.fi)
Turku CRC, a network enterprise between University of Turku and The Hospital
District of South-West Finland, offers services and support for the researcher
initiated clinical trials and enhances collaboration with the enterprises in research
business. The aims of the clinical research centre are to confirm the requirements of
successful clinical trial, to ensure the quality of the trial, to relieve the investigators’
load in managing the research and to intensify collaboration with the external
partners.
Clinical Research Services Turku (CRST) (www.crst.utu.fi)
CRST offers clinical research services for the pharmaceutical industry and other
developers of new health care products. The services cover clinical drug
development from Phase I to Phase IV and bioanalytical services related to clinical
and preclinical trials of pharmaceuticals and other health care products.
Turku University Hospital (www.tyks.fi)
The Turku University Hospital belongs to the Hospital District of South-West Finland.
The District is situated in South-West Finland and consists of 58 municipalities.
With its 453.000 inhabitants it is the second largest of Finland’s twenty-one Hospital
Districts. The Turku University Hospital serves its patients within almost 50 medical
specialities. It has 828 beds and a staff of about 2200 nurses, 500 doctors and 920
other employees. The Hospital has national centres for Position Emission
Tomography and Overpressure Oxygen Therapy. The Hospital offers practice for
about 1.500 students in medicine and nursery every year.
Functional Foods Forum (http://fff.utu.fi)
Functional Foods Forum, as an independent special unit of the University of Turku,
brings together the multidisciplinary expertise for the research and development of
high-quality safe foods to promote human health and well-being. The forum
combines leading-edge research expertise in natural, health and medical sciences
with technological, legal and business know-how in order to develop and
commercialise functional foods for human needs. The activities are independent
research Programmes, multidisciplinary expertise in food and health and tailor-made
research and development projects.
Academic Research Programmes
The academic research in biosciences carried out in BioTurku is organized under an
umbrella organisation – BioCity Turku (www.biocity.turku.fi). BioCity Turku is a multidisciplinary research community consisting of over 80 research groups with some
1000 people: researchers, graduate students and assisting personnel.
The researches groups are organized under six research programmes:
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Biomaterials Research
Centre for Reproductive and Developmental Medicine
Diagnostic Technologies and Applications
Receptor Research
Systems Biology Research
Turku Immunology Centre
In the following a selection of projects related to the area of Diagnostics within
relevant research programmes are presented.
1.1 Diagnostic Technologies and Applications
The Turku area is a nationally and internationally recognized stronghold in research
on in vitro diagnostic (IVD) technologies. A unique situation is that academic
departments are fully devoted (teaching and research) to the IVD field.
The Department of Biotechnology was founded in 1989 and since then it has
become an internationally recognized remarkable academic force on the IVD-field.
Later on co-operation on the Diagnostics program within the framework of BioCity
Turku was accomplished in order to develop and coordinate the higher education of
researchers in this field. And also promote the interactions within the research
community and to the innovative segments of Finnish biotechnological industry.
Advanced IVD has evolved since the 1980´s to become an integral part of the health
sector and represents a significant and rapidly expanding commercial field. In this
dynamic phase, contemporary IVD research is facing a number of new technical and
clinical challenges such as requirements for increased speed and simplicity,
miniaturisation, multi-parameter testing, higher throughput, decentralised testing in
critical and primary care.
To cope with an ever increasing number of new and/or clinically improved analytes
new approaches and test principles are called for. IVD testing carries great promise
as inexpensive and non-invasive means for early diagnosis, risk testing and
preventive action thus contributing to the highly needed cost-containment within the
health sector.
Traditional and advanced IVD technologies are increasingly finding use in a number
of non-human situations such as monitoring of food safety and quality, household
and pet animal testing, agriculture and environmental monitoring, biological warfare,
forensics and in many bio-technological industries. In doing so, new challenges are
frequently encountered. Within this program, solutions to these challenges are
sought from advanced reporter technologies, new assay formats, improved bioaffinity reagents as well as from creative instrumental solutions and platforms.
Department of Biotechnology has experience of collaboration with academic and
corporate research groups on the field of clinical diagnostics. The clinical
diagnostics research has focused on two main areas – prostate cancer diagnostics
and cardiovascular disease diagnostics. In both areas, the methodological research
is carried out in close contact with Finnish and international clinical centers.
1.1.1
Markers of Prostate Cancer - MPC
Professor Kim Pettersson, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and Food
Chemistry, University of Turku
Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequent cancer of men in many industrialized
countries, and a leading cause of cancer death. PC when diagnosed from clinical
symptoms is frequently beyond cure and only eligible for hormonal treatments or
expectant follow-up. Early detection (screening) of PC has therefore been
suggested and extensive studies have been initiated with the aim to find out whether
early detection followed by curative measures will have a positive effect on the life
expectancy compared to conservative "watchful waiting" approaches.
Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a sensitive PC marker as it is clearly increased up
3
to 15 year prior to "surfacing" clinically. PSA is, however, increased also in benign
prostatic disorders giving rise to a large number of false positive cases, which will be
subjected to the definitive but invasive diagnostic procedure i.e. tissue biopsy.
Although biochemical detection of early PC by PSA is widely used there is a fear
that many cancers of low pathological potential are also found and treated.
It is presently widely that felt prostate cancer overdiagnosis has become a
significant problem as opportunistic PSA screening has been more widely
implemented. Unnecessary treatments represent a burden both for the patient (side
effects) and for the whole health care system (consuming resources). Therefore
biomarkers that would indicate tumor aggressiveness accurately enough to guide
treatment decisions for the individual patient are urgently needed.
The MPC group at the Department of Biotechnology has since its start been
involved in basic and applied research on the prostatic kallikreins (PSA and hK2)
and its circulating forms.
The MPC group continues its research efforts in the field of prostatic kallikreins in
blood and mRNA signals of circulating cells. In close collaborations with a wide
European network of clinical centers the technically validated immuno and real-time
PCR assays have been tested for their utility in prostate cancer diagnostics. Lately,
the research has expanded to include a wide variety of recently suggested prostate
cancer markers in blood, circulating cells as well as in tissues. The overriding
objective of the research is to define markers and marker concepts enabling specific
and early identification of clinically significant prostate cancer lesions.
1.1.2
Autoantibodies in Multiple Sclerosis
Jukka Hellman Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry,
University of Turku
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease causing damage of the
central nervous system (CNS), especially myelin sheath and axons.
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the brain of MS-patients contain increased levels
of oligoclonal immunoglobulins. The repertoires of immunoglobulins are thought to
contribute to the demyelination process by recognising self-antigens of the CNS.
Especially, myelin basic protein and myelin/oligodendrocyte glycoprotein have been
recognized as prominent targets of the autoantibodies. We are applying molecular
display and proteomics techniques for the identification of novel targets of MSrelated autoantibodies. The display tools utilised in the project are closely linked to
the knowledge established in the Department, primarily for the genetic engineering
of antibodies.
1.1.3
Food Diagnostics
Markus Vehniäinen MSC, The department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry,
University of Turku
New bioaffinity methods are developed for the use in food industry sector that offer
wider screening capacity in one assay and higher sample throughput and
robustness compared with traditional methodology. The assays are developed for
the analysis of markers linked with consumer safety, namely residues of illegal
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growth promoters like fluoroquinolones and toxic chemical residues such as
paralytic shellfish poisons in mussels.
Antibody engineering is utilized for obtaining unique, family-specific antibodies able
to recognize a class of chemical contaminants. The properties of antibody
engineering technology include potential for extraordinary diversity of recognition,
high affinity and specificity towards the target, and a stability well-suited to in vitro
applications. Previously assays have been developed for the analysis of markers
linked with animal welfare (e.g. stress indicator creatine-kinase), final product quality
(e.g., off-odours caused by androsenone and 3-methylindole) and consumer safety
(residues of illegal growth promoters like zeranol, sulphonamides and trenbolone
and other chemical residues such as coccidiostat compounds).
For environmental analysis consumer-friendly sample handling methods and rapid
nucleic acid based assay methods are developed. Currently our interest is in waterborne pathogen detection.
1.2 Point-of-care Diagnostics
Saara Wittfooth, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry,
University of Turku
The overall objective of the Point-of-care (POC) research group is to develop assays
(mainly immunoassays and nucleic acid assays and chemical assays) for use in
near-patient diagnostics or other decentralised conditions such as food or
environmental diagnostics. Such assays must provide rapid, sensitive and
reproducible results directly from whole-blood samples (immunoassays) or after
simple pre-treatment of samples (nucleic acid assays). Furthermore, the assay
concepts should be readily transferable to small and simple platforms requiring
minimal technical skills from the end user.
Our research focuses on two main areas: on novel markers for detection of common
diseases, in particular cardiovascular disease, and on development of assay
technology. Combination of our knowledge of core analytical targets with
technological expertise has already resulted in state-of-the-art assay concepts for
point-of-care testing.
The triage of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and acute myocardial infarction
(AMI) has been the main clinical application during the last years. Measurement of
cardiac troponin I or T (cTnI or cTnT) is now a well-established clinical routine for
the diagnosis of AMI, but the biochemical nature of especially cTnI complicates its
measurement. Moreover, cTnI assays should be analytically very sensitive in order
to enable the detection of minimal myocardial injury. In addition to cTnI, which is a
marker of myocardial necrosis, our research also has been on pregnancyassociated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), which has been reported to be a specific
marker of rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. PAPP-A may provide early detection
of ACS even in the absence of myocardial necrosis, and it is also likely to provide
valuable prognostic information.
Developments in the assay technology include intrinsically fluorescent reporter
molecules (lanthanide chelates) and "all-in-one", dry reagent-based single assay
wells or chips. Combined together, these concepts enable any sample matrix
(e.g. whole blood, serum, plasma, or urine) to be used for quantitative measurement
without any reagent additions in a simple one-step procedure. More recent areas
of interest include alternative solid phase immobilisation techniques, including spotcoating approaches and antibody engineering. Simple and rapid methods with
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excellent analytical and clinical performance are crucial for decentralised testing,
and efforts are going on to develop means of achieving these requirements.
1.2.1
Bioaffinity Assay Technology Research
Tero Soukka, academy research fellow, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and
Food Chemistry, University of Turku
Research aim is to respond to the modern challenges set for the assay methods
employed in the in vitro diagnostics and to support development of high
performance, yet relatively simple, assay technology platform for next-generation
diagnostics. We have directed the research to photoluminescent label technologies
and assay formats, especially to properties and utilization of luminescent lanthanide
complexes and inorganic lanthanide-doped upconverting nanocrystals in diagnostic
methods, as well as, to potential of new advanced homogenous assay methods and
designed molecular binders.
Extensive knowledge and theoretical modeling of performance potential of different
technologies provide strong background for development of new methods.
1.2.2
Molecular Engineering of Binder Proteins
Urpo Lamminmäki, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry,
University of Turku
Capability to produce molecules that specifically recognize various other molecules
ranging from large biological macromolecules such as proteins to small molecular
compounds and ions forms the basis of many diagnostic and analytical methods and
enables the development of useful tools for biochemical research and medicine.
Antibodies, a class of protein molecules that are naturally produced by the immune
system of the vertebrates to fight against pathogens, are the most commonly used
tools for molecular recognition in life sciences. Specific antibodies can be artificially
raised against a wide range of chemical structures.
The research is focusing on the development of tailor-made recombinant antibodies
for bioanalytical applications. We think that recombinant antibody based affinity
reagents can significantly facilitate the development of high-performing bioanalytical
assays. The techniques used to tailor the antibodies include e.g., directed evolution
methods such as phage display and random mutagenesis procedures, fusion
protein techniques and molecular modelling.
We also have expertise in production and purification of recombinant antibodies in
the scale of tens of milligrams, in site specific conjugation of labels and affinity tags
to the antibodies as well as in profound characterization of antibodies.
1.3 Customised Antibody Modifications and Production
Contact Person: Urpo Lamminmäki, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and
Food Chemistry, University of Turku
Rapid generation of tailor made human antibodies:
The generation of novel antibodies is conducted in vitro. The selected antibody
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sequences are transformed as part of expression plasmids into Escherichia coli cells
which provide persistent and inexpensive production of antibodies. The isolated
antibody clones can be stored to ensure unlimited access and further production.
Selection, enrichment and isolation of clones result in high affinity antibodies.
The binding strength can further be improved by affinity maturation procedure.
Own synthetic antibody library and a selection system can make any molecule as an
antigen also the poorly antigenic and toxic antigens.
The procedure can select antibodies showing specificity against a desired epitope
e.g. recognizing specific post-translational modification or discrimination of
homologous proteins. Where antibody size or in vivo functionality are of critical
importance the selected antibody sequence in various frameworks can be
expressed, including primary production format single chain antibodies (scFv) or
antigen binding fragments (Fab) and also whole IgGs.
Affinity probe generation:
For applications such as imaging, proteomics or immunoassay, the antibodies may
be coupled with fluorescent dyes (e.g. lanthanide chelates) or affinity tags.
Depending on the customers' requirements, such modifications may be executed
utilizing conventional or site-specific coupling chemistries.
The antibodies may also be expressed with a variety of fusion partners enabling,
for instance, secondary recognition (epitope or affinity tags) or signal production
(enzymes or fluorescent proteins).
Immobilization:
Antibodies may be conjugated onto solid surfaces such as microtiter plate wells,
nanoparticles or array chips. The immobilization may be conducted utilizing a sitespecifically coupled affinity tag (e.g. biotin) in combination with a suitable binding
partner (e.g. streptavidin) pre-coated onto the surface. Alternatively, one may opt for
other immobilization techniques without control over the antibody orientation.
1.4 Luminescent molecules
Contact person: Harri Takalo, Ph.D., The department of Biochemistry and Food
Chemistry, University of Turku
Application areas of our luminescent labels:
Diagnostic and research immunoassays
Environmental analysis including food diagnostics
Hybridization assays
Receptor–ligand assays and applications in drug discovery
Enzymatic assays
Cell based assays
Imaging
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1.4.1
Products and Services
Lanthanide chelates for sensitive bioassays:
We develop, produce and market high quality lanthanide chelates for bioassays
based on time resolved fluorometry (such as TR-FIA and TR-FRET).
Lanthanide chelates are offered in quantities of 1 mg to 500 mg.
We can offer a set of non-luminescent lanthanide chelates (Eu3+, Tb3+ and Sm3+)
for bioassays utilizing the fluorescence enhancement phenomenon as well as
intrinsically luminescent lanthanide chelates (Eu3+, Tb3+ and Sm3+) for heterogeneous bioassays and homogeneous FRET assays.The chelates normally have an
isothiocyanate group for amino group coupling, but also other activated forms, e.g.
for thiol group labeling, are available as well as chelates coupled with biotin. If
needed, also other lanthanides – such as dysprosium and gadolinium chelates – are
available.
Labeling services:
We have long experience on biomolecule labeling (e.g. hormones, drugs, toxins,
peptides, proteins and oligonucleotides) by using lanthanide chelates and offer
customized labeling services to our clients.
Tailor-made label molecules:
Various types of luminescent label molecules can be synthetized according to
clients needs.
Key properties of lanthanide labels:
Strong complexes with high thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness.
Minimal sample matrix interference. Soluble in water based buffers and highly polar
solutions. Large Stokes’ shift decreases scattering phenomena and gives large
dynamic measurement range. Low background, long fluorescence lifetimes, narrow
missions and high quantum yields give high signal-to-noise ratios, excellent assay
sensitivity and possibility to measure several analytes simultaneously from one
sample. Reactive groups for easy labeling of biomolecules. Affinity and binding
specificity of biomolecules are not impaired by the labeling process.
1.4.2
Laboratory of Biophysics
Pekka Hänninen, Ph.D., Professor of Medical Physics, Laboratory of Biophysics,
Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku
The main field of research of the Laboratory of Biophysics is development of
fluorescence based methods and technologies to detect interactions at molecular
level. The research uses state of the art imaging technologies to find and
characterize relevant biomarkers in target disease. Optical super resolution
technologies at our disposal, such as STED, multiphoton excitation microscopy and
RESOLFT allow detailed studies on live cells. Our imaging toolbox includes also
various fields of AFMtechnologies including receptor recognition imaging. The group
belongs to the department of Cell Biology and Anatomy providing the group
expertise of medical professionals and easy access to Turku Center for Disease
Modeling. The current research includes studies on osteoporosis, breast cancer and
prostate cancer.
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1.4.3
Nucleic Acid Diagnostics
Ulla Karhunen, MSc, Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of
Turku
The research is focused on homogeneous nucleic acid assays using lanthanide
chelate sensors and simple sample pre-treatment methods. The unique fluorescent
properties of certain lanthanide (europium or terbium) chelates enable the detection
of a specific nucleic acid sequence in a closed tube. The advantages of these
methods over existing commercial technologies include simpler probe design, lower
fluorescent background and reduced reagent costs. Assay throughput and
performance are further enhanced by the use of pre-dried PCR reagents so that the
actual assay only consists of sample addition, thermal cycling and real-time or endpoint fluorescence measurement and subsequent (or simultaneous) automated data
analysis. The targets of the assays are microbes that cause infections.
1.4.4
Biomedical Instrumentation, Detection and Automation Technologies
Juhani Soini, Ph.D., M.Sc.eng., Director of Education, Turku University of Applied
Sciences and Medical Physics and Engineering and Department of Anatomy,
University of Turku
The research activities are within applications and method development of
biomedical instrumentation, biosensors, and, detection and automation
technologies. The competence of the group members are highly interdisciplinary,
engineering, software and instrument development, signal processing, chemistry
and biology, targeted for solving biomedical and biological measurement problems
in highly interdisciplinary fashion. The projects are mainly conducted in collaboration
with other research groups in fields of technical, biomedical, clinical disciplines.
The projects include development of a novel wash free bioaffinity in vitro diagnostics
immunoassay platform suitable for bedside and distributed clinical in vitro
diagnostics, as well as, scanning flow cytometry, instrumentation for measurement
of multi-angle scattering signals from biological particles, such as cells and
microbes. Instrumental and statistical methods are developed for improving data
stability and measurement repeatability of biological measurements, and, means of
signal processing for deriving novel information from measurement data.
1.4.5
Luminescent reporters
Harri Takalo Ph.D., Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of
Turku
Research on bio-organic chemistry is carried out to produce luminescent reporter
molecules. Molecules are suitable to be used as reporters in variety of biochemical
applications. Currently, our research focuses on two main areas; new lanthanide
chelates with high luminescence yield and stability, and development of on-off
switches based on luminescence modulations of lanthanide chelates.
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2.
BIOTURKU® COMPANIES AND THE PRODUCTS AND
PROJECT PORTFOLIOS
Abacus Diagnostica Ltd (www.abacusdiagnostica.com)
Company Profile:
Abacus Diagnostica Oy, established in 2004, is focusing on the development of
novel, rapid and simple solutions for DNA testing. Our proprietary GenomEra™
platform is a powerful tool for routine DNA based testing, allowing a totally new
approach with no need for dedicated laboratory facilities or special trained
personnel. The GenomEra™ platform combines a rapid assay principle employing
Time Resolved Fluorescence detection with a simple-to-use reagent concept, which
together with the automated analyzer including a built-in thermal cycler takes DNAtesting to a new level of convenience and simplicity without compromising high
performance, quality of results and reliability. The first product is the GenomEra
CDX™ system, intended for clinical laboratory use for rapid detection of infectious
diseases. First test kits will be made available for MRSA, followed by an STD-panel
for Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Rapid nucleic acid diagnostics.
Aboatox Oy (www.aboatox.com)
Company Profile:
Aboatox Oy distributes high quality products for ecotoxicity testing, hygiene
testing and algal toxin tests. Automated systems for water analysis.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Luminescence reagents for research use. Whole cell toxicity tests. Algal toxin rapid
tests. Hygiene tests based on ATP measurement. Luminometers from portable
systems to plate readers.
ArcDia Group (www.arcdia.com)
Company Profile:
ArcDia Group is a company for development and marketing of innovative
immunoassay products. ArcDia is focused on point-of-care and near-patient testing
of infectious diseases with special emphasis on respiratory infections.
ArcDia provides automated random-access immunoassay analysers for near-patient
testing. ArcDia's test portfolio includes, among others, the pandemic influenza
viruses, swine H1N1 and avian H5N1. ArcDia's products are available for R&D
collaboration, licensing, and distribution.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Rapid multianalyte test for respiratory infections. Random-access immunoassay
analysers.
BioControl Systems Ltd (www.biocontrolsys.com)
Company Profile:
BioControl Systems Inc., based in Bellevue, WA in the U.S., is a worldwide leader
in industrial microbiology testing since 1985. BioControl offers one of the most
complete lines of proprietary, rapid tests for pathogen detection, quality control and
HACCP monitoring.
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Product and Project Portfolio:
Industrial diagnostics, Food safety tests, DNA and immunochemical screening
methods, Hygiene tests, Automated systems.
Biofile Ltd (www.biofilediagnostics.com)
Company Profile:
Biofile is a diagnostics company with over 15 years of experience in the markets.
We manufacture IVD kits (special focus on autoimmune and infectious diseases) as
well as glucose and lactose tolerance drinks in our pharmaceutical factory in Turku,
Finland. Our high quality products are used across many countries, e.g. US, UK,
Turkey, Germany, Sweden and Estonia. To complete our product range, Biofile
imports kits to the Nordic and Baltic region markets.
Product and Project Portfolio:
IVD kits: ELISA and IFA kits for e.g. celiac disease and Inflammatory Bowel
Disease. Drugs: Oral ready-to-use solutions.
Ekoweb Ltd (www.ekoweb.fi)
Company Profile:
Ekoweb Ltd. was founded in 1995 as an ICT company. Today Ekoweb Laboratory
Divison is specialized in providing wide range of high quality diagnostics and
bioanalytics products for public health care, research institutes and industry in
Finnish as well as global market.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems, In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) kits (Point-Of-Care
tests like Drug of Abuse tests, Urine Analysing Reagent Tests & Analyzers and
other microbiological and virological tests, ELISA, RIA, PCR & Molecular Biology),
Bioanalytics like Antibodies and Proteins, Temperature Tracking Solutions with
wireless sensors and Thermobuttons and Hygrologgers focusing on the Food and
Pharma industry.
Hidex Oy (www.hidex.com)
Company Profile:
Hidex Oy, founded in 1993, is a growing company with emphasis on R&D and
marketing of its own products. Hidex is also interested in OEM, licencing and
contract R&D collaboration partners.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Bioanalytical instruments for life science research and environmental monitoring.
Liquid scintillation counters, fluorometers luminometers. Microplate and vial based
instruments and automation. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) radiowater
generator. Contract R&D projects.
Hytest Ltd (www.hytest.fi)
Company Profile:
HyTest Ltd., founded in 1994, offers innovative solutions for assay development and
research applications by providing high-quality immunological reagents in such
areas as cardiac markers, infectious, neuroscience and autoimmune disease
reagents. HyTest is a leading provider of several reagents such as antibodies and
antigens of the troponin I and troponin complex. HyTest offers also extensive
customer services and has a certified ISO 9001:2000 quality system.
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Product and Project Portfolio:
Immunological reagents.
Innotrac Diagnostics (radiometer.com)
Company Profile:
Innotrac Diagnostics was founded in 1995 and has approximately 70 employees,
fully acquired by Radiometer A/S, Denmark in 2006. Since then an integral part of
Radiometer’s Acute Care Business Unit focusing on R&D and manufacturing of
short turn-around-time (TAT) diagnostic testing at Emergency and Intensive Care
Units.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Non-enhanced time-resolved fluorescence and "All-in-One" dry chemistry
technology allowing high performance diagnostic testing in a non-laboratory clinical
environment. Innotrac Diagnostics focuses on cardiac and other critical care
applications such as acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Congestive Hear Failure
(CHF), coagulation disturbances and sepsis.
Kaivogen Oy (www.kaivogen.com)
Company Profile:
Kaivogen Oy was founded at the beginning of 2007. From the beginning of 2008,
Kaivo-gen Oy has produced protein coated microtitration plates with high quality.
Our flag-ship product is currently streptavidin coated plates KaiSA96. The optimised
coating procedure of Kaivogen provides plates with high binding capacity, excellent
homogeneity and no leaking of the coated protein. Due to the optimised packing
procedures the plates can be stored even at room temperature. Contact Kaivogen,
when you need customised plate coating service.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Streptavidin coated microtiter plates.
Labmaster Oy (www.labmaster.fi)
Company Profile:
Labmaster Oy was founded in 1985 and employs 8 people. The company is
specialized in development, manufacturing and marketing of own IVD products.
81 % of turnover gener-ated from exporting products worldwide. Distributing NBDs
(Nordic Bioscience Diagnos-tics) products in Finland for diagnostic of Osteoporosis.
Since 2001, strongly investing in development of novel proprietary detection
technology platform combining Silicon chip technology and recent findings in
Electrochemiluminescence technology.
Product and Project Portfolio:
In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) kits for routine diagnostic of Coeliac Disease (ELISA) and
Car-diac Diseases (ELISA). Phytoestrogen kits (TR-FIA) for research of functional
food ingre-dients. LM-ECL (Hot Electron Induced Cathodic Electrochemiluminescence), novel pro-prietary detection technology for use in analytical and
diagnostic applications (POC).
Orion Diagnostica Oy (www.oriondiagnostica.com)
Company Profile:
Orion Diagnostica is part of the Orion Group, Finland’s leading healthcare company,
which develops, manufactures, and markets pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical
ingredients, and diagnostic tests for markets worldwide. Orion Diagnostica
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specialises in easy-to-use, cost-effective clinical diagnostic tests and hygiene
monitoring solutions designed to improve healthcare effectiveness and individual
well-being. The focus is on products for primary healthcare that enable consultation,
testing, and treatment decisions to be completed during a single patient visit.
The company also serves large clinical laboratories that carry out high-volume
analyses.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Tests for infectious diseases, disorders affecting bone and soft-tissue metabolism,
specific protein and hormone assays as well as tests for hygiene monitoring.
PerkinElmer Human Health / Wallac Oy (www.perkinelmer.com)
Company Profile:
The Life & Analytical Sciences (LAS) division of PerkinElmer provides drug
discovery, genetic screening and chemical analysis instrumentation, reagents and
services for scientific research and clinical applications. PerkinElmer offers for
biopharma customers integrated solutions that accelerate the drug discovery
process, improve time-to-market, help meet regulatory requirements and create
greater manufacturing efficiencies. The clinical screening customers are offered
comprehensive screening systems to accurately and efficiently detect generic
deficiencies.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Integrated solutions to accelerate the drug discovery processes, improve time-tomarket, help meet regulatory requirements and create greater manufacturing
efficiencies. Comprehensive screening systems to accurately and efficiently detect
genetic deficiencies and abnormalities, application-driven solution systems for
laboratory work. The product portfolio includes reagents for Newborn and Prenatal
Screening and diagnostic kits for Thyroid, Fertility, Oncology, Anemia, and Diabetes.
Instruments offered are: Gamma Counters, Quantulus, Victor, MicroBeta, Envision,
Viewlux, AutoDelfia, Delfia Xpress and application software.
ScanNanoTek Ltd (www.scannanotek.com)
Company Profile:
ScanNanoTek develops products based on MEMS technology. The technology
incorporates nanotechnology, semiconductor fabrication clean-room processing,
micro-mechanics, electronics and optics. Our device allows imaging of samples that
previously have not been possible to study using traditional scanning probe
microscopy. Our technology allows study not only of traditional materials but also of
biomaterials, polymers etc. on atomic scale. In addition to imaging, our device can
measure electronic, optical and chemical properties of materials on nanoscale.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Development of micro-electromechanical (MEMS) device capable imaging of
nanostructures, detection of light and small forces. The device can be used in
scanning probe microscopes and imaging systems.
Syrinx Bioanalytics Oy (www.syrinxbioanalytics.com)
Company Profile:
SYRINX is a privately owned company and was founded in 2007 as a spinn-off from
Bayer Schering Pharma. Analytical experience of SYRINX is based on the work of
bioanalytical laboratory established in Turku during 1980's. The laboratory is GLP
certified since 1990 and is involved in numerous drug development projects from
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preclinical to globally marketed products in Europe, Nothern America and Japan.
Areas of core comptetence: Immunological and cell based assays for
macromolecules (biologicals) and GC-MS and RIA assays for small molecules.
Personnel in 2008: 15.
Product and Project Portfolio:
CRO, Bioanalytical services (bioanalysis of biologicals, biomarkers, anti-drug
antibodies and small molecules).
Turku Allergy Factory AB (www.turku-allergy-factory.com)
Company Profile:
Turku Allergy Factory AB was founded in 2006 to develop and produce unique
allergy tests, based on antibody detection. The founders of TAF have good
experience in diagnostics, as well as in R&D, production and in Sales & Marketing.
The main product of the company is the McAT –allergy test. It is designed to detect
specific antibodies by using the mucosa of the cheeks. McAT is a stand alone
product, based on a patent owned by TAF. The patent describes the detection of
antibodies by using the human mucosa.
Product and Project Portfolio:
McAt 16 - Allergy test, using the mucosa of the cheek.
Turku Imanet Oy (www.imanet.com)
Company Profile:
Turku Imanet Oy is part of GE Healthcare’s Global Imaging Network (GIN) working
in collaboration with Turku PET Centre. Turku Imanet provides pharmaceutical
companies with imaging solutions to accelerate and facilitate development of novel
therapeutics.
Product and Project Portfolio:
Identification of new molecules or techniques for diagnostic use, development of
new PET tracers and preclinical and clinical studies for pharmaceutical industry.
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