GARD™ – the future of sensitization testing and safety assessment of chemicals using a genomic-based platform

BACKGROUND
Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection, GARD, is an in vitro test developed for the prediction of sensitizing chemicals. It is based on differential expression of disease-associated genomic biomarkers in a human myeloid dendritic cell line.
Here, we describe the development, scientific validation, applications and the current state of the GARD platform. The scientific rationale behind the use of genomic biomarker signatures are detailed, linked to the AOP in a biological context, and to advantages realized through multivariate computational prediction models in a technological context.

RESUME
The GARD assay is elastic, it can be used for several applications. Today, two are developed:

GARDskin
– Hazard identification of skin sensitizers
– Accuracy: ~90%
– Initiated ECVAM validation (OECD TGP no. 4.106)

GARDair
– Hazard identification of respiratory sensitizers
– Accuracy: ~85%

GARD–the future of sensitization testing and safety assessment of chemicals, using a genomics-based platform_Eurotox 2016_p

GARD™ – the future of sensitization testing and safety assessment of chemicals, using a genomics-based platform

Henrik Johansson, Andy Forreryd, Olivia Larne, Ann Sofie Albrekt, Carl Arne Krister Borrebaeck, Malin Lindstedt
SenzaGen, Sweden, Lund, Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University, Sweden, Lund

 

Background
Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection, GARD, is an in vitro test developed for the prediction of sensitizing chemicals. It is based on differential expression of disease-associated genomic biomarkers in a human myeloid dendritic cell line.

Here, we describe the development, scientific validation, applications and the current state of the GARD platform. The scientific rationale behind the use of genomic biomarker signatures are detailed, linked to the AOP in a biological context, and to advantages realized through multivariate computational prediction models in a technological context.

Resume
GARDskin
– Hazard identification of skin sensitizers
– Accuracy: ~90%
– Initiated ECVAM validation (OECD TGP no. 4.106)
GARDair
– Hazard identification of respiratory sensitizers
– Accuracy: ~85%

Poster:
GARD–the future of sensitization testing and safety assessment of chemicals, using a genomics-based platform

SenzaGen Genomics – the future of sensitization testing and assessment

ceo senzagen anki malmborg hager

Anki Malmborg Hager elected one of the two most powerful people among Lund technology companies according to Rapidus ranking

The news site Rapidus has been looking into nealy 180 companies of extended IDEON business park in Lund, Sweden in a unique survey of decision-makers of the region. Ericsson veteran Tord Wingren and Alligator Bioscience co-founder Anki Malmborg-Hager were ranked two of the most powerful people among Lund technology companies.

Rapidus writes:

Leeding up to the expansion of the concept of Ideon, Rapidus went through the records of company boards and chief executives of all technology companies which have their registered office at Ideon Medicon Village, Mobile Heights Center and Edison Park.

In total it ads up to around 700 decision makers of almost 180 companies. Most of them only sit on one board or CEO positions however 56 of these people have posiotions in more than one technology company on the extended Ideon area. At the top of the list are a dozen people with at least three appointments, including the CEO of Jolife Erik von Schenck and Professor Carl Borrebaeck, who among several appointments is on the board of Alligator Bioscience and Clinical Laserthermia Systems.

Read the full news at Rapidus site (only subscribers)

blue senzagen logo

SenzaGen starts blogging for Swedish leading financial newspaper Dagens Industri.

Follow our CEO, Anki Malmborg Hager here on the new blog at our web site under Mixed Media/blogs or at Di Gasell.

The blog will be in Swedish

SenzaGen nominated for Guldråttan -the Golden Rat

SenzaGen has been nominated for the honorable price “Guldråttan” -the Golden Rat, a prize awarded by Djurens Rätt (the Animal Rights) to companies that make exceptional contribution to animal wellfare.

SenzaGen is able to greatly reduce animal use with their animal free allergy tests for cosmetic ingredients, raw material production and the pharmaceutical industries. With the company’s test GARD, which is performed in vitro, the number of animals used for testing in these industries can be heavily reduced and now that SenzaGen is expanding globally, the impact can be even greater.

“Guldråttan is Sweden’s finest animal rights prize and awarded since 1987 by Djurens Rätt to a person or persons who have made an exceptional contribution during the year to animal well fare” Djurens Rätt says ontheir site.

It is now possible to vote on who should be awarded Guldråttan 2016. Voting will run until April 10 and the winner will be presented at Djurens Rätts National Conference in Stockholm on 14-15 May.

Participate and vote at http://www.djurensratt.se/guldrattan2016 (in Swedish) Link no longer available

SenzaGen is presenting at a hosted session at Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting in New Orleans March 15, 2016

SenzaGen Senior Scientist, Dr. Henrik Johansson will give a presentation at an exhibitor hosted session at the Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, 15th of March.

The meeting promises more than 150 scientific sessions, approximately 350 ToxExpo exhibitors offering you the latest information on services and technology, thousands of abstract presentations, continuing education courses, awards presentations, receptions, career guidance and support, and more.

The topic for Dr. Johansson’s presentation, Genomics—The Future of Sensitization Testing and Safety Assessment is: In vitro testing in human cellines using genomic technology is the future in safety testing of chemicals and proteins. SenzaGen is presenting their use of genomics for sensitization testing with GARD assays for skin and respiratory sensitization. Using +200 biomarkers enables better predictions, including potency information.

This session is an Exhibitor-Hosted Session. Although not an official part of the SOT Annual Meeting scientific program, its presentation is permitted by the Society.

The presentation will cover

  • Accurate and convenient safety assessment of chemical sensitizers using GARD, an in vitro assay based on genomic biomarker signatures
  • How genomic readouts can help facilitate simple models that effectively monitors a complex reality
  • Versatile test systems allowing for a broad applicability domain

Attendees are welcomed from researcher community, industry, manufacturers, regulatory agencies, consultants, CROs and every one interested in safety testing of chemical compounds.

Details: Genomics—The Future of Sensitization Testing and Safety Assessment
Exhibition hall, Room 211 Tuesday, March 15, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

djurfria allergitester

SenzaGen receives Honorary Prize in PwC’s annual Innovation Award

In the competition for This year’s Innovation appointed by PwC and Lund Innovation Systems, Malin Lindstedt and Anki Malmborg Hager at SenzaGen gets the Honorary Prize and is awarded 50.000 SEK.

At the awards ceremony held at Lund City Hall the winner received a prize of SEK 150 000 and two other projects; SenzaGen “Animal free allergy test” and Erghis “Touchless Interaction in Healthcare” received a Honorary prize for their inventions.

Congratulations to Malin and Anki for their great achievements of innovative research and commercialisation of the invention of high relevance for the industry.

SenzaGen strengthens its brand with a new logo and graphical profile

– We want a logo and a graphic profile that shows our identity, strengthens the brand and matches the quality of our products. We have been working together with a design and communications agency ID Communication in Malmö to find our tone and graphical language and we see this as a kick off in the expansion of the company, says Hanna Frykman Marketing and communication coordinator at SenzaGen.

SenzaGen develops and performs animal-free allergy testing of chemicals and proteins, especially for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. The potential on the market is huge and we want the graphic profile to reflect that we are trustworthy, high-tech, research-related and innovative. The implementation of the graphical profile has been gradual and we will develop a new website and additional marketing material as we go.

– My task when starting in SenzaGen has been to build up our marketing and sales division from scratch and it has been a priority to find a graphic identity and logo that shows what we stand for, says Hanna Frykman.

Andy Forreryd wins a “Best Abstract Presentation Price” about GARD technique

Andy Forreryd
of the Dept. of Immunotechnology won a “Best Abstract Presentation Price” at the Oral Abstract session entitled
Risk factors and biomarkers in occupational allergy
 held at EAACI 2015 in Barcelona.

Andy’s contribution was entitled
Prediction of chemical respiratory sensitizers using GARD, a novel in vitro assay based on a genomic biomarker signature.

Andy Forreryd is a researcher at the Dept. of Immunotechnology at Lund University and a contributor to the R&D team connected to SenzaGen who’s research is the foundation for the GARD test products.

SenzaGen congratulates Andy and we are very proud to see that his great achievements as a researcher is getting acknowledged.