This article needs to be updated. (November 2024) |
Icosagen (formerly Quattromed AS) is an Estonian biotechnology companies providing custom research programs and services to the Biopharmaceutical industry, including antibody discovery, protein production, and GMP manufacturing.[1] Formed in 1999 as Quattromed AS, it was renamed Icosagen in 2009.[2]
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical industry |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Tartu, Estonia |
Key people | Mart Ustav: Founder and CEO |
| Services | Antibody discovery, antibody development, protein production, GMP manufacturing, cell line development, upstream and downstream process development |
| Website | www |
Profile
editIcosagen, based in Tartu, Estonia, is a biotechnology company that focuses on providing antibody discovery, protein production, GMP manufacturing, and related services. The company employs over 200 full-time staff.[3] Icosagen's activities are divided into several key branches: antibody discovery, protein production, GMP manufacturing, and cell line development. Antibody discovery, development and production, particularly in targeting challenging membrane proteins such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters are key services.[citation needed] The company also develops stable CHO cell lines for the production of therapeutic proteins and antibodies, supporting clients from research and development through to clinical stages.[4]
History
editIcosagen AS was originally established as Quattromed by Marika Mikelsaar, Helme Raukas, Ain Laving, and Mart Ustav in 1999. The company focus was developing molecular genetic methods for detecting infectious diseases, including papillomavirus, herpes, and hepatitis.[5]
By 2008, Quattromed had become the largest diagnostics company in Estonia, employing 80 people.[citation needed] That year, the diagnostics division was sold, leading to the formation of Synlab Eesti OÜ. The remaining biotechnology segment was rebranded as Icosagen, shifting its core business to contract work for the development of biopharmaceuticals.[6]
In 2015, Icosagen Technologies Inc. was established in a U.S. expansion.[citation needed] By 2022, Icosagen's turnover had risen to €20 million.[7]
In February 2023, Icosagen secured an €18 million loan from the European Investment Bank, backed by the InvestEU program, to enhance its R&D capabilities and construct a new cGMP production facility. The 1,600 m² plant, expected to become operational in 2024, aims to bolster the biological drug industry in Estonia.[8]
In March 2023, Icosagen acquired the Carterra LSA platform to enhance its high-throughput antibody screening capabilities, facilitating the discovery and development of new therapeutic and diagnostic antibodies.[9]
In October 2023, Icosagen entered into a multi-target antibody research agreement with Salipro Biotech to advance drug discovery programs against challenging membrane proteins, including G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and solute carrier (SLC) transporters.[10][11]
In May 2024, Icosagen announced a strategic partnership with Lead Discovery Center GmbH to discover novel monoclonal antibodies, leveraging both organizations' expertise in antibody research and development.[12]
In July 2024, research involving Icosagen demonstrated that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a nasal spray efficiently blocked viral transmission between Ferrets, indicating potential for preventing COVID-19 spread.[13]
References
edit- ^ Frank L. (2001). "Biotechnology in the Baltic". Nature Biotechnology. 19 (6): 513–5. doi:10.1038/89229. PMID 11385442. S2CID 36541802.
- ^ "History—Icosagen". Icosagen. Retrieved 2024-06-16.
- ^ "InvestEU: EIB agrees €18 million loan to Estonian biotech Icosagen". European Investment Bank. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ Ustav, Mart (2023). "Biologics Production in Estonia". Estonian Journal of Biotechnology. 25 (3): 210–215.
- ^ "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "InvestEU: EIB agrees €18 million loan to Estonian biotech Icosagen". European Investment Bank. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Icosagen Acquires the Carterra LSA". Business Wire. 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Salipro Biotech and Icosagen Launch Antibody Discovery Collaboration" (Press release). GlobeNewswire. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Salipro Biotech and Icosagen Launch Antibody Discovery Collaboration". Salipro Biotech. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Icosagen and Lead Discovery Center Announce Collaboration". Bio-IT World. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ Gildemann, Kiira; Tsernant, Mari-Liis; Liivand, Laura; Ennomäe, Retti; Poikalainen, Väino; Lepasalu, Lembit; Rom, Siimu; Kavak, Ants; Cox, Robert Marsden; Wolf, Josef Dieter; Lieber, Carolin Maria; Plemper, Richard Karl; Männik, Andres; Ustav, Mart; Ustav, Mart; Gerhold, Joachim Matthias (2024-07-20). "Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a nasal spray efficiently block viral transmission between ferrets". iScience. 27 (7). Bibcode:2024iSci...27k0326G. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.110326. PMC 11263742. PMID 39045097. Retrieved 2024-11-16.