SenzaGen elected winner at Gasellsprånget in Malmö

After a thrilling presentation and questioning round, SenzaGen was elected the winner at the local edition of Gasellsprånget in Malmö, Sweden. SenzaGen now has the opportunity to win Gasellsprånget on a national level at the finale in Gothenburg, on May 25.

After a thrilling presentation and questioning round, SenzaGen was elected the winner at the local edition of Gasellsprånget in Malmö, Sweden. SenzaGen now has the opportunity to win Gasellsprånget on a national level at the finale in Gothenburg, on May 25.

On May 11, the Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri hosted the local edition of Gasellsprånget in Malmö, Sweden. A competition which names the fastest growing companies in Sweden. The event was hosted at Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live where participants got the opportunity to listen to presentations about entrepreneurship and development in the region, as well as mingle and network. SenzaGen was one of two companies who, during the evening, had the opportunity to present their company to the audience and a panel experts. After a round of questions from the experts, the audience voted and announced SenzaGen as the winner of Gasellsprånget Malmö.

-This feels like a great win and shows that there are many who believe in us, our business model and the team that we have put together to take the company forward. This event was a very good and exciting environment to pitch in, with many interesting questions from the panel of experts. I am delighted and overwhelmed by all who voted for us, says Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO of SenzaGen.

Two finalists, selected by a jury, will now move forward and get to compete in the national finale at Gasellträffen in Gothenburg, on May 25. Based on the jury’s deliberation, analysis of the companies and an on-stage company presentation, the jury will select the finalist with the best opportunity to become a Supergasell within a 5-year-period.

For more information:
Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO, SenzaGen AB
E-mail: amh@senzagen.com
Phone: +46 768 284822

GARD godkänt för validering inom OECD

GARD, SenzaGens sensibiliteringstest, har nu inkluderats i arbetsplanen för OECD:s Test Guideline Programme (TGP) med TGP numret 4.106. Beslutet fattades vid WNT National Coordinators Tests möte i slutet av april. Valideringsprocessen för GARD kommer nu att inledas.

GARD, SenzaGens sensibiliteringstest, har nu inkluderats i arbetsplanen för OECD:s Test Guideline Programme (TGP) med TGP numret 4.106. Beslutet fattades vid WNT National Coordinators Tests möte i slutet av april. Valideringsprocessen för GARD kommer nu att inledas.

SenzaGens test Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection (GARD) har granskats av alla medlemmar i OECD WNT:s arbetsgrupp (The Working Group of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme (WNT)) och ingår nu i deras Test Guideline Programme. Detta innebär att processen för att formellt validera GARD påbörjas. Valideringsprocessen innebär att visa att GARD är ett reproducerbart test som kan användas av externa laboratorier. Detta betyder att metoden sätts upp på externa laboratorier i en s.k. ”ring trial”.

-Vi ser mycket positivt på detta beslut vilket är ett väldigt viktigt steg för utvecklingen av GARD som ett internationellt sensibiliseringstest och vi är övertygade om att vi kommer att ha en lyckad “ring trial”. Även om många av våra kunder redan är övertygade om kvaliteten på vårt test kommer valideringen att göra stor skillnad ur ett regulatoriskt perspektiv, säger Anki Malmborg Hager, VD på SenzaGen.

GARD har redan genomgått en vetenskaplig validering och flertalet interna valideringar tillsammans med industriella partners. Testmetoden är baserad på en innovativ genomteknik som anses vara framtiden för sensibiliseringstester när djurförsök förbjuds i allt större utsträckning. Då kemikalieindustrin behöver hitta nya exakta och tillförlitliga tester blir GARD en viktig aktör när valideringen är genomförd.

-OECD:s WNT-representanter var mycket intresserade och positiva till GARD och till att inkludera det i TGPs arbetsplan. De ser nu fram emot att få informationen från den formella valideringen, när dessa resultat är tillgängliga. Efterfrågan på nya alternativa testmetoder är hög och det har varit en intressant resa att, som representant för Kemikalieinspektionen, presentera GARD för OECD då testet har så stor potential. Jag ser mycket fram emot att följa GARD i framtiden, säger Henrik Appelgren, nationell samordnare på Kemikalieinspektionen.

Två externa laboratorium kommer nu att testa GARD på flera olika kemikalier för att bekräfta att testet är reproducerbart. Processen har inletts och formell validering väntas vara klar inom ett år.

För mer information

Anki Malmborg Hager, VD, SenzaGen AB
E-mail: amh@senzagen.com
Telefon: +46 768 284822

GARD approved for validation within the OECD

GARD, Senzagen´s in vitro assay for sensitization, has been included in the OECD Test Guideline Programme (TGP) work plan with the TGP No 4.106. The decision was made at the WNT National Coordinators Test guideline programme meeting in the end of April. The validation process for GARD will now be initiated.

GARD, Senzagen´s in vitro assay for sensitization, has been included in the OECD Test Guideline Programme (TGP) work plan with the TGP No 4.106. The decision was made at the WNT National Coordinators Test guideline programme meeting in the end of April. The validation process for GARD will now be initiated.

SenzaGen’s test Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection (GARD) has been reviewed by all OECD WNT (The Working Group of the National Coordinators of the Test Guidelines Programme (WNT)) task force members and has been included in the Test Guideline Programme. This means that the process of formally validating GARD can begin. The purpose of the validation process is to show that GARD is a reproducible assay that can be use by external laboratories. The assay will be transferred externally to perform a so called “ring trial”.

 – This is a very important decision for the development of GARD as an international sensitization test and we are very confident we will have a successful ring trial. Even if our customers have been convinced by the quality of our test, it will make a big difference from a regulatory point of view when the test is validated, says Anki Malmborg Hager

The GARD test has been scientifically validated and has gone through successful in house validations prior to this with industrial partners. The test assay is based on a new innovative genomic technique which is argued to be the future of sensitization testing now that animal bans are more and more prevailing. As the chemical industry needs to find accurate and reliable tests, GARD will be an important player on the testing market once it has finalised its validation.

 – The OECD WNT representatives were very interested and positive to the GARD test and to include it in the TGP workplan. The representatives also look forward to receiving information regarding the formal validation, when these results are available. The demand is high for new alternative test methods and it has been an interesting journey as a representative for Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) to present GARD to OECD as it has such great potential. I am very much looking forward to follow the future for this test, says Henrik Appelgren, national coordinator at Kemikalieinspektionen.

Two external laboratories will now test GARD on several different chemicals to confirm that the test is reproducible. This process has started and final validation is expected within one year.

For more information:

Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO, SenzaGen AB
E-mail: amh@senzagen.com
Phone: +46 768 284822

SenzaGen pratar om start-up och entreprenörskap på träff med riksdagen i Stockholm -och besök till Medicon Village

Almi Skåne arrangerar sedan nio år en årlig träff mellan riksdag och skånska entreprenörer. Syftet är att visa på mångfalden i det skånska näringslivet och den verklighet som de lever och verkar i och i år var tre företag från Blekinge och Skåne på plats. SenzaGens VD Anki Malmborg var på plats och resultatet blev att Utbildnings- och Näringsutskottet besöker Medicon Village i maj.

ALMI Skåne arrangerar sedan nio år en årlig träff mellan riksdag och skånska entreprenörer. Syftet är att visa på mångfalden i det skånska näringslivet och den verklighet som de lever och verkar i och i år var tre företag från Blekinge och Skåne på plats. Den nionde upplagan av ALMIs Riksdagsträff arrangerades den 19 april i Riksdagshuset.

Under mötet får entreprenören möjlighet att själv berätta om sitt bolags förutsättningar och utmaningar. Det personliga anslaget uppskattas av såväl riksdagsledamöter som entreprenörer.

I årets träff medverkade SenzaGens VD Anki Malmborg Hager som fick möjlighet att presentera bolaget och sina erfarenheter och tankar om företagande för riksdagsledamöterna. Anki berättade om bolag som har sitt ursprung på Lunds Universitet och den resa som SenzaGen gjort sedan starten 2010.

– Jag tycker att träffen var mycket givande. Upplever att Näringsutskottet och Utbildningsutskottet var mycket engagerade i de frågor som är viktigast för oss som universitetsnära företag. Därför är det extra kul att de nu vill följa upp med en träff på Medicon Village i maj, säger Anki Malmborg Hager, VD på SenzaGen AB.

Utbildningsutskottet och Näringsutskottet besöker Medicon Village och SenzaGen vid två olika måndagar under maj månad.

SenzaGen talks about start-ups and entrepreneurship in meeting with Swedish Parliament in Stockholm – and local visit at Medicon Village

As of nine years/each year, the Swedish business organisation ALMI Skåne hosts a much appreciated and well-attended meeting between members of parliament and entrepreneurs from the start-up scene in Skåne and Blekinge. SenzaGen was one of the three attending companies, represented by the CEO Anki Malmborg Hager and one result of the meeting is a local visit by the MPs to Medicon Village in May

As of nine years/each year, the Swedish business organisation ALMI Skåne hosts a much appreciated and well-attended meeting between members of parliament and entrepreneurs from the start-up scene in Skåne and Blekinge. The ninth edition of the meeting took place on 19 of April, at the parliament in Stockholm.

The aim of the meeting is to highlight the positive diversity within the business scene in Skåne, Sweden, and to shed some light on the reality in which these companies live and breath. This year, three local companies attended the meeting where they were able to present and discuss their companies prospects’, opportunities and challenges. The personal setting of the meeting was appreciated by both MPs and entrepreneurs.

SenzaGen was one of the three attending companies, represented by the CEO Anki Malmborg Hager who took the opportunity to present SenzaGen and her experiences and thoughts about entrepreneurship. The presentation covered the journey that SenzaGen has taken since the start in 2010 as well as the situation of other companies originating from Lund University.

– I think the meeting was very fruitful. The representatives of the Committee on Industry and Trade and the Committee on Education were very familiar with and committed to the issues that are most important to us as a spin out from Lund University University. For that reason, it is especially exciting that they will visit us at Medicon Village in May, says Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO of SenzaGen AB.

The Committee on Education and the Committee on Industry and Trade will visit Medicon Village and SenzaGen at two separate occasions during May.

SenzaGen åter på 33-listan

SenzaGen tar för andra året i rad plats på den prestigefyllda 33-listan där Ny Teknik och Affärsvärlden för nionde gången utser Sveriges hetaste unga teknikbolag.

Presentationen skedde på Münchenbryggeriet i Stockholm den 12 april.

SenzaGen tar för andra året i rad plats på den prestigefyllda 33-listan där Ny Teknik och Affärsvärlden för nionde gången utser Sveriges hetaste unga teknikbolag.

Presentationen skedde på Münchenbryggeriet i Stockholm den 12 april.

Med basen på Medicon Village i Lund utvecklar och genomför SenzaGen djurfria allergitester av kemikalier och proteiner. SenzaGens test, GARD (Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection), har utvecklats under 15 år och mäter väsentligt fler parametrar än befintliga test på marknaden, då testet bygger på genanalys i mänskliga celler. Detta gör GARD till det mest noggranna och effektiva testet. GARD har främst använts för tester inom kosmetikabranschen och inom EU finns ett förbud mot att testa kosmetika på djur. Under våren 2016 har GARD även börjat användas i läkemedelsbranschen för genomtester av potentiella läkemedel i tidig fas.

Under 2015 genomförde SenzaGen en nyemission om 44 miljoner kronor för att accelerera utvecklingen, skala upp försäljningsorganisationen, slutföra pågående valideringsprocesser och utveckla nya tester i GARD-portföljen. Bolaget öppnade 2016 ett dotterbolag i USA för att expandera sin marknadspenetration.

-Vi uppskattar uppmärksamheten som 33-listan ger oss. Att vara pionjär och försöka bryta traditionella beteenden och mönster med ny teknik är utmanande, men SenzaGen har hittills varit framgångsrika. Vi ser ett stort intresse, en växande efterfrågan och ett reellt behov av våra test i en rad olika branscher, säger Anki Malmborg Hager, VD på SenzaGen.

För intervju och vidare information vänligen kontakta:

Anki Malmborg Hager, 0768-284 822, amh@senzagen.com

Om 33-listan

33-listan bygger på nomineringar av företag från hela Sverige och vinnarna utses gemensamt av redaktionerna på Ny Teknik och Affärsvärlden. Juryn letar efter företag med en unik produkt eller tjänst uppbyggd kring en tydlig innovation med stor internationell potential – en innovation som har förutsättningar att förändra spelreglerna i sin bransch. För att platsa på listan måste företaget vara baserat i Sverige max 7 år gammalt. Mer och på http://www.33-listan.se

Om SenzaGenSenzaGen erbjuder in vitro-tester för kosmetisk, kemisk och farmaceutisk industri som ersätter behovet av djurförsök. Bolagets unika test GARD är baserat på forskning från Institutionen för Immunteknologi vid Lunds Tekniska Högskola. SenzaGen har sin bas på Medicon Village i Lund.

Om GARDGenom att analysera 200 respektive 389 markörer beroende på test, levererar GARD resultat med 90 % tillförlitlighet. Detta kan jämföras med den gyllene standarden som är djurtester på möss som ger endast 72 % tillförlitlighet. SenzaGens test har därtill förmågan att mäta potensen (styrkan) av en substans och kan därmed avgöra till vilken grad en substans orsakar allergi.

SenzaGen once again makes it to the 33-list

For the second year in a row, SenzaGen takes a place on the prestigious 33-list where the magazines Ny Teknik and Affärsvärlden for the ninth time appoint the hottest young technology companies in Sweden. The presentation took place at the Munich Brewery in Stockholm on April 12.

For the second year in a row, SenzaGen takes a place on the prestigious 33-list where the magazines Ny Teknik and Affärsvärlden for the ninth time appoint the hottest young technology companies in Sweden. The presentation took place at the Munich Brewery in Stockholm on April 12.

Based at Medicon Village in Lund, SenzaGen develops and implements animal-free tests on chemicals and proteins for classification of sensitizers, primarily for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. SenzaGen’s test GARD (Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection) has been developed over the last 15 years ad measures significantly more parameters than existing tests on the market, as the test is based on gene analysis in human cells. This makes GARD the safest and most efficient test. GARD has mainly been used for testing in the cosmetics industry and the EU has a ban on the testing of cosmetics on animals. In the spring of 2016, GARD has also started to be used in the pharmaceutical industry for the genetic testing of potential drugs in the early phase development.

During 2015 SenzaGen completed a new share issue of M 44 SEK in order to accelerate the company's development, scale up the sales organization, finalize the ongoing validation processes and develop new tests in GARD portfolio. The company opened a subsidiary in the US early 2016 in order to increase its market penetration.

-We appreciate the attention that making it to the 33-list gives us. Being a pioneer, breaking traditional behaviors and patterns with new technology, is challenging but so far SenzaGen has been successful. We see a large interest, a growing demand and a real need for our test in a variety of industries, says Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO of SenzaGen.

About the 33-list
The 33-list is based on nominations by companies from all over Sweden and the winners are appointed jointly by the editorial staff of the NyTeknik and Affärsvärlden. The jury looks for companies with a unique product or service based around a clear innovation with great international potential – an innovation that has the potential to change the rules of the game in their industry. To make it on the list must now be based in Sweden up to 7 years old. For more information, visit http://www.33-listan.se  (In Swedish)

For more information:
Anki Malmborg Hager,
+ 46 768-284 822, amh@senzagen.com

www.senzagen.com

SenzaGen nominerade till Guldråttan

SenzaGen har blivit nominerade till det hedervärda priset Guldråttan, ett pris som delas ut av Djurens Rätt till företag som gör en exceptionell insats för djuren.

SenzaGen har blivit nominerade till det hedervärda priset Guldråttan, ett pris som delas ut av Djurens Rätt till företag som gör en exceptionell insats för djuren. SenzaGen kan bidra till att kraftigt minska antalet djurförsök med sina djurfria allergitester för kosmetisk-, råvarutillverknings- och läkemedelsbranschen. Med företagets test GARD, som görs in vitro kan antalet försöksdjur som används för tester i dessa branscher minska kraftigt och när nu SenzaGen dessutom satsar globalt kan påverkan bli ännu större.

Guldråttan är Sveriges finaste djurrättspris och delas sedan 1987 ut av Djurens Rätt till den eller de som under året gjort en exceptionell insats för djuren skriver Djuren Rätt på sin sida.

Nu är det dags att rösta på vem som ska tilldelas Guldråttan för 2016. Omröstningen pågår fram till den 10 april och årets vinnare presenteras på Djurens Rätts rikskonferens i Stockholm den 14-15 maj.

Bidra och rösta på http://www.djurensratt.se/guldrattan2016

Rösta på SenzaGen för Guldråttan 2016!

Potency potential of chemicals using GARD shown by independent laboratory

The platform that forms the basis for the GARD sensitization assay, has been shown to have the potential to be an accurate tool for measuring the potency of sensitizing chemicals. The study was performed by an independent research group at Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University in Sweden and presented at the Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, 2016.

The platform that forms the basis for the GARD sensitization assay, has been shown to have the potential to be an accurate tool for measuring the potency of sensitizing chemicals. The study was performed by an independent research group at Department of Immunotechnology, Lund University in Sweden and presented at the Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, 2016.

The new data were presented on Tuesday at the Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, poster session “Alternative Models for Ocular and Skin Toxicity”, abstract number 2205, P136.

-We have for a long time seen indications that this platform could predict potency and we are very happy to be able to present data that further points in that direction now, since it opens up completely new possibilities in skin sensitizations, says Assoc. Prof. Malin Lindstedt, heading the group at Department of Immunotechnology.

Based at Medicon Village in Lund, SenzaGen develops and implements animal-free tests on chemicals and proteins for classification of sensitizers, primarily for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. SenzaGen’s test GARD (Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection) measures significantly more parameters than existing tests on the market and has previously shown to deliver the most accurate prediction for hazard classification of chemicals. Now it has also shown potential to be a key player in the important field of risk assessment of chemicals by being able to predict the potency of chemicals.

-Potency has been the long-sought for application of sensitization tests. In risk assessment it is imperative to be able to predict not only the hazard of a chemical but more importantly how strong inducer of sensitization it is, i.e. the potency of the chemical. Lund University has now in a large study shown that GARD has this ability, which makes GARD unique, and we are looking forward to take part of this and develop it further, says Anki Malmborg Hager, CEO of SenzaGen AB.

SenzaGen establishes subsidiary in the US

To quickly strengthen its commercial presence in the US market, Swedish SenzaGen AB expands globally and establishes a subsidiary in California.

SenzaGen, which develops and implements non-animal allergy tests of chemicals and proteins, for the chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, expands its sales organization and prepares the company for an IPO in 2017. Senzagen, a Lund University Department of Immunotechnology spin-out was recently recognized as one of Sweden’s most promising young and innovative companies.

-In line with our strategy to establish a commercial presence in key markets, Senzagen has established a subsidiary in the US. The US represents the world's largest pharmaceutical and chemicals markets, and one of the largest within cosmetics. To capture market share, it is crucial that we have a local presence, says Anki Malmborg-Hager, CEO of SenzaGen AB.

Responsible for Senzagen’s US operations will be toxicologist Dr. Brian Rogers as US CEO, and Head of business development will be immunologist Dr. Sandra Reynoso.

-Nearly 50% of all animal research experiments today are performed in the US, and we want to be there to help replace these tests and offer the market a better and much safer test with our GARD. Together with our local team and their strong network, I look forward to building SenzaGen’s brand as the market leader in allergy testing in the US, says Anki Malmborg-Hager.

For more information, please contact:
Anki Malmborg Hager, Ph D, CEO,
E-mail: amh@senzagen.com
SE: +46 768 284822

Brian Rogers, Ph D, CEO US
brian.rogers@senzagen.com
US: +1 530 304 7648

About SenzaGen

SenzaGen provides in vitro dermal and respiratory testing for the cosmetic, chemical and pharmaceutical industries replacing the need for animal testing. The company's unique test GARD is based on research from the Department of Immunotechnology at Lund University. SenzaGen is based at Medicon Village in Lund, Sweden.

About GARD
By analyzing 200 and 389 genomic markers, depending on the test, instead of 1-2 markers as competing methods, GARD delivers results with 90 % accuracy. This can be compared to the golden standard, animal tests on mice, that provide 72 % accuracy. SenzaGen’s test also has the ability to measure potency (strength) of a substance and can thus determine the degree to which a substance cause allergy.