Who We Are

A Collaborative Project Based at GoCo Health Innovation City

New Modality Support, or NMS, is coordinated by GU Ventures and based at GoCo Health Innovation City in Mölndal. The aim of the project is to facilitate scaling up individual research projects in the ATMP/Therapeutic Oligonucleotides arena. It supports business development and investments throughout the process, from research results and company formation to commercialization.

Participating Partners

The partners and founders of the NMS project are CCRM Nordic, OligoNova, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, GU Ventures and the Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

NMS is coordinated by GU Ventures, ranked as one of the leading university-run incubators and early-stage investors and with extensive experience in business development of highly specialized and research-driven projects in life science. It is the holding company at the University of Gothenburg and is wholly owned by the Swedish state. Functioning as both an incubator and specialized early-stage investor, the primary goal is to develop new companies based on research findings and cutting-edge expertise from the University of Gothenburg.

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Mission

GU Ventures builds, drives, and invests in companies for a better tomorrow. Companies are supported through networking to connect the right people, funding to provide that extra push, and professional development, idea evaluation, and goal setting to ensure sustainability.

To Date

Over 28 years’ experience of turning budding ideas and scientific breakthroughs into thriving businesses. GU Ventures has provided financing and initiated over 170+ companies and numerous projects, resulting in more than 65+ successful exits and 15 IPOs.

Active Support & Service

Through active support, GU Ventures adds value to portfolio companies, fostering business, market, and technological development, as well as addressing intellectual property rights, managerial and organizational structures, and financing.

Service offerings include:
Verification and protection, Business development, Fundraising and financing in early stages, Marketing, Recruiting and HR, Accounting and corporate law, Community and office

Investment Opportunities

GU Ventures invests in disruptive companies and supports their journey to raise capital, develop their business, and build their organizations. Co-investment with many hundreds of investors has been a key strategy.

An active role is taken in connecting startups with the most appropriate investors. A large investor network is managed, providing a screened deal flow of investment opportunities. Direct investment in companies or syndication with others is facilitated. Individual meetings are arranged for VC firms and larger investors.

OlivoNova supports therapeutic oligonucleotide innovations. The goal is to transform Swedish academic research into validated early-stage drug development assets that are globally competitive for further investments. This is achieved within the SciLifeLab Drug Design and Development (DDD) platform by offering industry-standard drug discovery infrastructure and expertise to academic researchers in Sweden. The Principal Investigator (PI), together with SciLifeLab DDD/OligoNova and the Swedish Academic Innovation systems continuously validate the therapeutic idea, identify, increase value of the asset, and works towards commercialization and further development. OligoNova currently supports six programs form Swedish Universities.

OligoNova SciLifeLab DDD

The Deal

The Principal Investigator (PI) holds all Intellectual Property (IP) rights to the asset. The OligoNova infrastructure offers integrated drug discovery towards therapeutic oligonucleotides to the Swedish academic research community with a great deal, the Researcher group gets the OligoNova working hours and expertise for free and pays for consumables and reagents.

Project Application Process

After Project Application, external and internal evaluation of the academic asset is performed to get knowledge of: Medical Need, Safety, Market Fit, Intellectual Properties (IP), Patient Population Identified, Pre-clinical and Clinical Feasibility, Technical risks, Researcher (Principal Investigator, PI) team composition. When the asset is approved the PI group together with OligoNova develop the asset to increase the value and probability for further development.

Project application: dddprojectproposal@scilifelab.se or contact@oligonova.org

Working Process

After the asset have been endorsed by external and internal evaluation, OligoNova develop biochemical assays, design novel oligonucleotides, synthesize the designed compounds and evaluate the oligonucleotides for protein modulation and initial explorative toxicological evaluation.

Goal

It is a three-part collaboration: The academic research group (PI), OligoNova/SciLifeLab DDD and innovation offices, with the goal to increase the value of the asset and the chances that the intervention reaches the market to improve the patient’s quality of life. OligoNova have a broad network and together with SciLifeLab DDD the academic research group will, within the infrastructure, be educated in the drug development process and develop their entrepreneurial and drug hunting mindset. OligoNova offers industry standard infrastructure, expertise, and strategic support to help asset progress towards a preclinical proof-of-concept supported by validated data package for further development.

CCRM Nordic is a joint initiative from the Swedish government and life science industry to support an improved national infrastructure for the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP). CCRM Nordic supports everything from business creation and strategic CMC advice to process development and clinical manufacturing. The aim is to simplify the journey of innovative academic inventions and companies from concept to phase 2 clinical trials.

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You Create the Future of Regenerative Medicine.

We make the road there smoother. Transitioning cell and gene therapies from lab to patient is intricate, involving many requirements and standards like GMP. CCRM Nordic is a not for profit organization supported by the Swedish Government offering the expertise and facilities needed to navigate these challenges.

Company and Product Development

Creating a successful medicinal product depends as much on refining the production processes and control strategy as it does on building a resilient and long-term business strategy. Our experienced team provides the support and expertise needed to achieve that.

Analytics and Process Development

We specialize in analytical and process development for cell and gene therapies, guiding the crucial transition from research towards commercial production and scalable processes. Our interim laboratory is where ideas take shape.

Upcoming GMP Facility: Excellence in Manufacturing

Our upcoming state-of-the-art GMP facility is dedicated to advancing ATMP projects from concept to reality, ensuring the highest standards of quality and safety.

Sahlgrenska Academy is the medical faculty at the University of Gothenburg. We conduct cutting-edge international research, thanks to fruitful collaborations and access to the latest research technologies. Some of our successful research areas include aging, person-centered care, cancer, metabolism, neuroscience, obstetrics, dentistry, vaccines, and virology. Promising avenues for future research encompass oligonucleotides, advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs), and Alzheimer's disease.

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Creative environment

Our main campus on Medicinareberget is currently being developed into a hub for the university’s activities in life sciences. In collaboration with others, we publish around 3,000 scientific articles annually, often in high impact journals. We welcome interaction and partnerships that can help us see new perspectives and find better ways to prevent and treat ill health and disease. The environment here is creative and flourishing, with colleagues who are eager to help one another and take joy in each other’s successes.

Translational approach

The structure of Sahlgrenska Academy supports a translational approach to research, bridging the gap between basic research at the cellular and molecular levels with new therapies and clinical practice. Together with the Region Västra Götaland, we conduct clinical research that has been top-ranked in Sweden in two consecutive evaluations. We drive progress in life sciences forward – regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Sahlgrenska University Hospital is Sweden's largest hospital and one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. At Sahlgrenska you will find Europe's most modern children's hospital, leading cancer care, and the most comprehensive transplant hospital in the Nordic countries. The hospital provides nationally specialized care in 35 areas. It also conducts leading research in areas such as uterine transplants and biomarkers for Alzheimer's, and the hospital's staff contribute their expertise to six European Reference Networks. Sahlgrenska University Hospital is the best in the country for clinical research according to the latest evaluation by the Swedish Research Council.

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ATMP Center

The regulations for ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) are more comprehensive than those for traditional medicines and place new demands on healthcare when it comes to manufacturing, logistics, and handling.

Sahlgrenska ATMP Center is a central function at Sahlgrenska University Hospital with a coordinating role within healthcare and collaborates with both industry and academia. The ATMP Center provides support to researchers and product developers on ATMP-specific issues regarding regulations, processes, applications, and permits for clinical research, as well as evaluation and collaboration.

Collaboration

Sahlgrenska ATMP center is representing the Västra Götalandsregionen as a part of several national projects as well as collaboration forums. The center is in close collaboration with other hospitals, ATMP centers, universities, branch organisations and the industry.

Clinical Trials & ATMP Council

As part of Gothia Forum’s activities, resources include regulatory support, project management support, and a clinical trial unit where Phase I studies can also be conducted.

The ATMP Council is overseeing the need for resources when a new ATMP will be used at the hospital, both in a clinical trial and as a market approved product.

The Project Team

The NMS project team consists of a team with deep sector knowledge and startup expertise.

Stephanie Mattsson

Director of Venture Development, CCRM Nordic

With a comprehensive background in the life sciences, Stephanie boasts profound expertise in strategic venture development and a solid track record in international business. She has over 5 years of experience in regenerative medicine where she supported both private and public companies with strategy and business development as well as state-funded initiatives.

Fredrik Wångsell

PhD, Research Advisor, OligoNova

More than 15 years industrial experience within research and development, focus on target identification, lead generation, translational science, IND-enabling and preclinical toxicological evaluation to support clinical development. The core activities within OligoNova and New Modality Support are to increase the value and prepare the assets for commercialization.

Helena Lundquist

Business Development Director, GU Ventures

Helena has deep and extensive experience from the Life Science industry and especially within the Pharmaceutical industry for 25 years in both Commercial and Governmental Affairs roles. She have also worked for LIF, the trade association of pharma companies, a as chairperson for the regional network and with several taskforces. Helena is working for GU Ventures as Business Development Director and especially for numerous Life Science companies within the GU Ventures group, as board member and as key business coach for instance building organization, business and product strategies, attracting partners and investors, etc.

Sara Malcus

Senior Advisor Life Science

PhD in inflammation medicine with extensive experience from development of start-ups in the Life Science sector. Sara has been involved in numerous projects and companies across development, from evaluation and preparation for company foundation, through product development and commercialization, to exit. She has held several executive management and board positions and dealt with business strategies in various settings.

Carl-Peter Mattsson

Strategic Coordinator NMS, Investment Director, GU Ventures

International outlook with a strong Venture Capital network and Life Science expertise. He has extensive experience of international business projects across many industries, project partners, and financing strategies, and over 25 years of Venture Capital experience, including both direct and fund investments at national and international levels.

Steering Committee

The NMS steering committee guides the strategic direction and ensures the successful implementation of our initiatives.

Klementina Österberg

CEO, GU Ventures

Long experience and expertise in building new research based deeptech businesses, especially within the life sciences sectors, including attracting capital. Working in close collaborations with public and private sectors.

Fredrik Wessberg

CEO, CCRM Nordic

Extensive experience as a leader within the life science industry. Fredrik has a background in stem cell science, including process development and GMP production, and has recent years established a service organization mainly supporting the pharma industry. Prior to joining CCRM Nordic, Fredrik has held leadership positions at Avantor Sciences, Takara Bio and Cellectis where he demonstrated his exceptional ability to grow efficient teams and successful service business.

Jenny Nyström

Dean and Professor of Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy, the Medical faculty at University of Gothenburg

Heading The Lundberg Laboratory for Kidney Research and mainly focusing on glomerular function and cellular cross talk in chronic kidney disease. In addition, she has a keen interest in educating students and fellows in the area of renal physiology. She is also an entrepreneur and start up co-founder.

Pär Matsson

Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy and Scientific Director, OligoNova Hub

Internationally renowned scientist with more than 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical research, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms governing cellular disposition and efficacy of new-modality therapeutics. Scientific Director for OligoNova Hub, the national Swedish infrastructure for oligonucleotide therapeutics.

Kristina Levan

Director of Sahlgrenska ATMP center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Kristina has a commitment both regionally and nationally in the field of ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). Her primary focus revolves around strengthening the innovation system, facilitating access to ATMP within the Swedish healthcare system, and addressing competency supply challenges. As the chairperson of the recently established national coordination group, she oversees representation from the academia, university healthcare, industry, and patient advocacy sectors, ensuring a comprehensive approach to reach the vision of Sweden being world leading in ATMP by 2030.

The Wider Support Ecosystem

NMS collaborates with various organizations and support functions across the Nordic region and internationally, such as life science organizations, incubators and arenas, hospitals and universities. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if your organization wants to collaborate with us.