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Professor in Antibody Technology and Directed Evolution
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
As Professor in Directed Evolution and Antibody Technology, Johan Rockberg heads a research group of ten at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm. His research team has a strong method development focus, directed at both discovery and bioprocess development of next generation biologics, including gene therapy and immunomodulating bi-specific antibodies. To this end, directed evolution and systems biology are tools used for improvement of both compound and producer cell lines. A particular research interest is human cell homeostasis and secretional machinery during stress such as upon viral propagation or during bioreactor cultivation. He is the director of AAVNova, for the development of next generation bioproduction platforms for virus-based gene therapy. Since 2019, Prof. Rockberg is an elected member of the Swedish Young Academy. He has been holding industry positions as Director Biosynergy at Alligator Bioscience AB, Lund Sweden, as CSO of Atlas Therapeutics AB, Stockholm Sweden and is a co-founder of Abclon Inc, Seoul South-Korea, all focused on cancer immunotherapy.
Editor-in-chief
Life Science Sweden
Samuel Lagercrantz is the editor-in-chief for Life Science Sweden. As a journalist, he has mainly covered medicine and healthcare. Among other things, he has worked for nine years at Dagens Medicin in various roles, mostly as a reporter and as a theme editor. He has also been acting editor-in-chief of Svensk Farmaci and has taken on consulting assignments in the field of science communication for, among others, the The Swedish Cancer Society. He studied journalism at Uppsala University.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/Nationella vårdkompetensrådet
Professor in Dermatology and Venereology, Sahlgrenska Academy
Chair of the Board, Forska!Sverige
Research and innovation of today is tomorrow’s standard health care methods and diagnostics and yesterday’s R and I is what we these days are using as standard diagnostics and treatment for our patients.
During the pandemic we could acknowledge the importance of R and I working in close collaboration with health care. As one of the many results we saw the rapid production of covid vaccines. The working together between health care, academy and industry i.e. life science is the only way to move forward.
This presentation is about the importance of managers and leaders having the right background, education and courage to make this happen in health care of today. Much focus is on the economy, and we can also see a loss of academic competence.
Professor, M.D and Ph.D. in Dermatology and Venereology at Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University. Chair of the organisation of Research!Sweden. Member of the Health Committee at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Ann-Marie is also a member of the Swedish Quantum Life Science Centre and a member of the steering group of SIISH (faster implementation of innovation in Swedish healthcare). Former CEO of Sahlgrenska University Hospital (2016-2023). Former chair of the National Health Competence Council (2020-2024). Earlier member of former Prime Minister Stefan Löfven´s National Innovation Council (2019-2022). Ann-Marie Wennberg Larkö has experiences from several management positions, believes in close cooperation between industry, health care and academia and has a great passion for Change Management in Health Care.
Co-founder and CSO
QureTech Bio
The discovery and applications of antibiotics have played a crucial role in modern medical history and have protected humans from life threatening infections. However, misuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics has enabled bacteria to develop resistance to most of the existing antibiotics.1 Hence, development of new antibacterial agents with unique structures and unconventional mode of action is urgently needed to alleviate the global drug resistance problem. We have developed a novel class of synthetic antibiotics derived from a bicyclic thiazolo-2-pyridone scaffold that we have named GmPcides (Gram Positive Cides). More than 300 analogues have been synthesized, a number of these novel GmPcides show antibacterial activity in the low micromolar range. The new GmPcides are bactericidal to MRSA resistant to last-resort antibiotics, such as daptomycin, as well as to non-dividing MRSA cells, such as preformed persisters. Importantly GmPcides showed favorable efficacy in a mice model of S. aureus murine skin and soft tissue infections and the bacteria have so far been unable to develop resistance to this new generation GmPcides. This presentation will describe the discovery of the GmPcides and our efforts to bring this potentially new antibiotic class to the market.
Dr. Fredrik Almqvist is Professor in organic chemistry at the Department of Chemistry, Umeå University. He is also the Director of Umeå Centre for Microbial Research (UCMR) at Umeå University. Almqvist has more than 25 years of experience in research projects aiming at finding new alternatives to combat pathogenic bacteria. He is an organic and medicinal chemist by training but his research activities have been collaborative, involving experts in complementary fields ever since he started his independent career in the late 90’s. Besides his Academic work he has also started two companies where the company QureTech Bio AB specializes in new antibiotics to make a difference within AMR.
CEO
Ventri Labs
Traditional pumps can pose significant challenges in critical processes like bioprocessing and clinical applications, where precision and fluid integrity are essential. Conventional pumping systems can introduce shear stress and instability, compromising the safety and effectiveness of delicate fluids. In this presentation, we will explore these challenges and introduce a solution through VentriLabs’ gravity-mediated flow technology. This gentle and versatile technology offers maximum protection for sensitive fluids while providing flexibility and ease of use. We will share data demonstrating how this innovative approach improves fluid handling, ensuring safer and more efficient processes.
Robin holds a PhD in biophysics from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and has successfully led cross-functional and international R&D teams in developing innovative fluidics technologies. With extensive experience in business development and team management, he specializes in driving cutting-edge research toward real-world applications. As CEO of VentriLabs, Robin is focused on advancing precision fluid handling solutions with a strong emphasis on safety and efficiency.
Professor of Surface Chemistry
Chalmers University of Technology
Bacteria are essential for life but can become lethal when infections occur. While antibiotics have been our primary treatment for bacterial infections, the ever-increasing threat of antibiotic resistance necessitates the development of alternative therapies
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), natural defense molecules found in most multicellular organisms, offer a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Here, we present a hydrogel-based medical device combined with AMPs, designed for wound care applications. This hydrogel rapidly eradicates bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, neutralizes toxins, and enhances antibiotic efficacy, even restoring sensitivity in resistant bacteria. With over 100 successful case studies in veterinary clinics across Europe, the device is already commercially available. Regulatory approval for human use is anticipated in 2025, marking a significant step toward innovative infection management.
Dr. Martin Andersson is a Professor of Surface Chemistry at Chalmers University of Technology, specializing in nanochemistry and biomaterials. His research focuses on materials and devices for medical applications. He has led multiple projects on antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and developed a hydrogel-based medical device combating antibiotic-resistant infections. His work has resulted in several patents, publications, and industry collaborations. Martin is passionate about translating scientific discoveries into practical healthcare solutions and is the co-founder of several companies, including Promimic AB, Amferia AB, Retein AB, and Vitroprobe Analytics AB.
Docent in Medical Molecular Biology
Uppsala University
The development of targeted anti-cancer therapies has primarily focused on exploiting molecular differences between cancer and normal cells to identify drug targets that selectively kill tumor cells. However, the effectiveness of many targeted therapies is often compromised by the development of drug resistance, underscoring the need for innovative strategies to address this challenge. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH), a frequent genetic event in cancer, can affect more than 20% of the genome in certain tumor types, leading to the loss of allelic variation in thousands of genes and creating genetic distinctions between tumor and normal cells. In our current work, we devise a strategy that targets the prevalence of loss-of-function alleles and LOH in cancer genomes. By leveraging tumor-specific loss of activity in one such target gene, CYP2D6, we identify a clinically approved drug with the potential to exploit this vulnerability. This opens the possibility for repurposing existing medications to treat cancers with unmet medical needs, using gene panel sequencing to guide precision medicine.
Xiaonan Zhang is a docent in Medical Molecular Biology. She earned her Ph.D. from Karolinska Institute and continued her research as a postdoctoral fellow at both Karolinska Institute and the University of Minnesota. In 2020, she returned to Sweden to join Uppsala University, where she leads several research projects. Since her PhD, Xiaonan Zhang has focused on developing novel strategies to target the unique vulnerabilities of cancer cells, particularly those resistant to conventional treatments.
Associate Professor of Experimental Pathology
Lund University
The patterns of secondary tumor (metastatic) spread to distant organs differ between cancer types. This strongly suggests that the formation of metastases requires organ-specific capabilities by tumor cells and non-malignant accessory cells, such as immune cells, in the microenvironment. These organ-specific capabilities might hide cellular vulnerabilities that could be targeted therapeutically. To cure patients with metastatic cancer, we may have to consider the metastatic site.
Catharina Hagerling is a Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at Lund University. She is a trained doctor with experience in Clinical Pathology and holds a PhD in Experimental Pathology. Catharina has been a postdoc fellow in the well-renowned laboratory of Professor Zena Werb at the University of California San Francisco. With her basic science expertise and clinical experience, she has positioned her research in the translational interface and applied technologies at the scientific forefront to answer challenging scientific questions. In 2024 she received the Childhood Cancer Award of the Year from the Childhood Cancer Foundation (Barncancerfonden) and the Translational Research Award from the Swedish Society of Medicine (Svenska Läkaresällskapet) for her work on adult and childhood metastatic cancer.
CEO and Chairman
Abarceo Pharma
Life science is a deeply rewarding business. A lot fails, a few succeeds but we all strive passionately to make a difference in patients lives. I have the joy to go to work on a daily basis (including weekends) knowing that Abarceo has made a discovery that may transform the lives of millions of people, all because of an ion channel called VDAC1.
VDAC1 is essential to mitochondrial health, mitochondrial health is key to cellular function and when it doesn’t work cells stop working. That includes insulin producing cells. In dysfunctional Beta cells, Abarceo has demonstrated a Lazarus effect, i.e. reviving and restoring the ability to produce insulin, an absolutely groundbreaking possibility for Diabetics.
Adam Bruce is CEO and Chairman at Abarceo Pharma. Entrepreneur, inventor and life science enthusiast. Business studies in Lund, French and life studies in Paris. Founder, Chairman, BD and coffee maker at TikoMed for several years from innovation to Phase 2. Immersed in multiple indications from islet transplantation to neurology.
Chief Scientist, Renal Disease
AstraZeneca
Kidney disease is an increasing health burden across the world, but with over 40 different cell types in a kidney, how do we begin to identify drug targets? Using large data, AI algorithms, mechanistic models and, most importantly, experts in the field we determine what could be the drugs of the future. In this presentation we will explore the pro’s and con’s of different approaches.
Julie started life as an academic researcher at University of Birmingham UK within paediatric and adult rare renal diseases. Here she led a research group working on cellular mechanisms of disease but taking full advantage of the translational environment within the aligned hospitals. Following that she moved into the adjacent translational clinical research facility to run a trials laboratory and facilitate cross-functional human experimental medicine studies. When an opportunity arose to address the unmet of need of kidney disease Julie moved to Novo Nordisk in Denmark to be their renal specialist. After 4y and a business reorganisation she moved to her current position at AstraZeneca Gothenburg. Here she is the disease area expert for renal and leads identification of novel drug targets.
Equity Analyst – Life Science
Redeye
Filip will talk about the current investor trends in the life science and healthcare sectors, highlighting what the industry has experienced during the last couple of years. He will also explore what investors seek and share insights on how companies can position themselves to attract the right investors.
Filip Einarsson leads the Life Science team at Redeye, a leading investment bank specializing in Life Science and Technology. He has been with Redeye since 2020 and has extensive experience in analysis and investments within the sector. Prior to joining Redeye, he worked as an analyst at Biostock and has held leading positions in organisations such as Unga Aktiesparare. In addition to his professional career, he has been an active private investor for many years, with a focus on early-stage Life Science companies.
At Redeye, Filip leads the effort to analyze and map the Swedish-listed Life Science sector as a whole. He also covers companies within Biotech and Tools & Supplies and is involved in capital raises and transactions in both public and private markets.
Filip holds a BSc in Business Administration from Lund University and has pursued additional studies in Economics at Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien.
Photo: Jan Kwarnmark
Professor of Clinical Allergy, University of Gothenburg
Founder of Exocure
Exosome-based therapeutics represent the future of biological medicines, offering innovative solutions for targeted drug delivery and regenerative treatments. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that play a crucial role in cell communication, carrying proteins, RNA, and other bioactive molecules. Their natural ability to transfer therapeutic cargo makes them promising tools for developing safer and more effective medicines. Exocure is a pioneering company harnessing the potential of exosomes to revolutionize treatment strategies across various diseases. By leveraging cutting-edge research, Exocure aims to develop next-generation therapies that enhance drug efficacy, reduce side effects, and unlock new possibilities in personalized medicine.
Jan Lötvall is Professor at the Institute of Medicine at Göteborg University since 2002 where he directs a research laboratory studying exosomes. He is a medical specialist in both Clinical Allergy and Clinical Pharmacology and has long-term experience in translational studies of inflammatory diseases, as well as cancer. He has received extensive international recognition, as the lab was first to already in 2007 describe that exosomes can shuttle functional RNA between cells. Current research focus on harnessing the intrinsic function of exosomes to develop the next generation of therapies in complex diseases. The startup Exocure is managed through GU Ventures, and led by CEO Sören Melsing.
CEO
Exocure
Exosome-based therapeutics represent the future of biological medicines, offering innovative solutions for targeted drug delivery and regenerative treatments. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that play a crucial role in cell communication, carrying proteins, RNA, and other bioactive molecules. Their natural ability to transfer therapeutic cargo makes them promising tools for developing safer and more effective medicines. Exocure is a pioneering company harnessing the potential of exosomes to revolutionize treatment strategies across various diseases. By leveraging cutting-edge research, Exocure aims to develop next-generation therapies that enhance drug efficacy, reduce side effects, and unlock new possibilities in personalized medicine.
Mr. Melsing is the CEO of Excure Sweden AB and has proven track record in both drug R&D and the commercial side of the pharmaceutical business. Mr. Melsing holds a Chemical Engineering degree and a Master’s in Drug Development. and his career includes leadership roles at Orifarm, Galenica, Aspen Pharma, and LEO Pharma. In addition, Mr. Melsing serves as a board member on a Danish and a Swedish listed (small cap) company.
Principal Scientist Antibody Development
Atlas Antibodies
Precision medicine is transforming cancer care by enabling treatments tailored to individual genetic profiles. This talk will dive into the latest advancements in genomic sequencing, molecular diagnostics, and targeted therapies that are advancing oncology research and improving patient outcomes.
Eugenia has extensive experience in neuroscience, cancer research, and diagnostics, as well as in the development of antibodies for biomedical research and precision medicine. Her expertise provides valuable insights into how antibody-based tools support the advancement of cancer diagnostics and research. Eugenia is currently Principal Scientist Antibody Development at Atlas Antibodies. Previously, she worked as a Senior Research Scientist at AstraZeneca and as a postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
Professor
Precision BioAnalytics & Gothenburg University
Today’s methods have reached the ultimate sensitivity of detecting a single target molecule. This paves the way for minimally invasive molecular diagnostics as most powerful means for early diagnostics of patients, treatment monitoring and surveillance. Many methods are already established based on classical biomarkers like cell-free DNA, proteins and microRNAs. In my talk I will present some new molecular biomarkers including RNA Fragmentomics, hot-spot mutations, single cell profiling and spatial transcriptomics, including the discovery of the Regeneration Initiating Cells (RICs) that one day will make healing possible. I will also present a strategy to further enhance sensitivity and improve precision in molecular workflows by addressing the preanalytics.
Mikael was an early adopter of quantitative PCR (qPCR) and coauthored the MIQE guidelines that are cited 3 times daily, he contributed to the ISO guidelines, and recently coauthored the AAPS recommendations for cell and gene therapies. In 2001 Mikael cofounded TATAA Biocenter, which under his leadership became Europe’s leading provider of molecular service. His team introduced NIPT as the first liquid biopsy application in Sweden, and founded Life Genomics. He also co-founded SiMSen Diagnostics for personalized cancer monitoring, and the bioinformatics company MultiD Analysis. In 2023 TATAA Biocenter was taken from the founders, who became persecuted by SLAPP according to their lawyer. In 2024 Kubista received a mobility grant from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research to work with researchers at Gothenburg University, where he introduced RNA Fragmentomics and co-founded Runa Bio. Most recently, Kubista and his former colleagues and advisors started Precision BioAnalytics to support the community with highest quality and best performance bioanalytical services again.
