The European Biotechnica award, organised by Deutsche Messe and partners, recognises the work of European enterprises in the fields of biotechnology and life sciences. This year, the company NovImmune SA, which specialises in the development of monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of immune-related disorders, stole first place, ahead of Trion Pharma GmbH and Vivalis SA.
At this year's Biotechnica in October, there was a substantial growth in the number of exhibitors and trade visitors as well as the display space sold, in spite of the tough economic climate. This reflects the growing acceptance and weight of the biotechnology industry in Europe. There was also an excellent response to the conference themes of bioinformatics, protein engineering, regenerative medicine and the bio-based economy.
At the show, Deutsche Messe presented the European Biotechnica Award for the eighth successive year. Worth a total of 100,000 Euro in prize money, it is the most generously endowed biotech prize in Europe, and is aimed at European-based companies working in biotechnology and the life sciences who have developed particularly innovative products, services and associated business ideas.
NovImmune SA from Switzerland, founded in 1998 and currently employing a workforce of 75, was the winner of the first prize. It was chosen by the jury after lengthy deliberation because it believed that the company had the greatest future potential. Based in Plan-Les-Ouates near Geneva, NovImmune develops monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of inflammatory and immune-related disorders. The company has so far generated seven monoclonal antibodies for this purpose. All products in the company's portfolio can potentially treat multiple medical conditions due to their specific mechanism of action.
Two compounds are in early clinical development, with the most advanced in clinical phase II. The lead product, NI-0401/anti-CD3, is currently being tested in Crohn’s disease and type 1 diabetes patients, as well as in transplantation patients.
The other finalists were the biopharmaceutical companies Trion Pharma GmbH from Munich, Germany and Vivalis SA from Saint Herblain near Nantes, France. The jury said that all three finalists had impressively demonstrated just how far the biotechnology industry in Europe had come.
Trion Pharma GmbH is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that has established a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy based on trifunctional antibodies called Triomab. These antibodies are based on a platform technology for which Trion Pharma holds IP rights around the world. The antibodies simultaneously activate multiple immune defence mechanisms against cancer, and as a result, tumour cells are specifically destroyed with hitherto unknown potency and precision, and the immune system’s memory is activated. In 2009, Removab (Catumaxomab) was the first member of the Triomab family to receive EU market approval. It is not only the first drug indicated for the treatment of malignant ascites (abdominal fluid retention) in cancer patients, but also the first bispecific, trifunctional antibody worldwide. Removab is marketed by Trion’s development partner Fresenius Biotech.
Vivalis SA provides the pharmaceutical industry with cell-based solutions for the manufacture of vaccines and proteins, and develops drugs for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Headquartered in France, the company specialises in the field of embryonic stem cells and their practical applications in human and veterinary medicine. Its proprietary EB66 cell line platform, derived from duck embryonic stem cells, presents unique industrial and regulatory characteristics to replace the eggs in the production of vaccines and to produce antibodies with enhanced ADCC activity. In addition to its proprietary programs, the company has developed partnerships with more than 25 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Through these partnerships, Vivalis develops and manufactures a range of vaccines and antibodies.
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