IGEN participated last April 25 in a business meeting between several Spanish biotech companies, agents of the Israeli R & D and venture capital. The meeting took place at the Madrid Science Park to materialize the future roadmap for biotech joint ventures between the two countries. Attended by the Israeli ambassador in Spain, Mr. Alon Bar, President of the Chamber of Commerce Spain-Israel Mr. Gidron Gil, the General Manager of the Madrid Science Park, Mr. Antonio Diaz and four of the leading companies in the sector could show its technology firsthand. IGEN's General Manager David Segarra presented the iGENatal kit, an innovative DNA extraction technology for prenatal samples.
Dr. Ignacio Jiménez, head of the laboratory of Igen, participates in a publication related to the development of a new vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV).
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0052976
The development of a new supplement to the diet from olive oil extract is coming to an end. The works were carried out during the past year at the University of Málaga, and with the participation of IGEN, have been very positive. Necessary authorizations for marketing it are expected in the first quarter of 2013. The "Oleomed" project is led by the company Wellness Pharma and involves several companies including IGEN Biotech, and several private investors.
IGEN Biotech participates in the 2012 INNPACTO program. In collaboration with LEITAT Technological Center and the Complutense University of Madrid, the consortium intends to develop a diagnostic kit for Gynecology.
MID-Frail is a major new international research study examining the effectiveness of combining optimised medical management with exercise and dietary programmes to maintain function and quality of life in people aged 70 years and over who have Type 2 diabetes.
Together with sixteen centres in seven countries across Europe, IGEN will participate in this 4-year study, which is supported by the European Union. The project is co-ordinated by Professor Leocadio Rodríguez-Mañas (Hospital Universitario de Getafe, Madrid, Spain), an internationally-renowned geriatrician and Director of the Spanish Network on Ageing and Frailty (RETICEF) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation.
The Scientific Coordinator is Professor Alan Sinclair (University of Bedfordshire, UK). Professor Sinclair is an internationally-recognised expert in diabetes and old age medicine, Dean of the Beds & Herts Postgraduate Medical School and Director of the Institute of Diabetes for Older People (IDOP).
IGEN Biotech participates in the 2011 INNPACTO program. The consortium led by IGEN intends to develop a diagnostic kit based on aptamers. Involving two research centers: Biomedical Research Foundation of the Hospital Ramon y Cajal in Madrid and CEREMET (metabolism research center) belonging to the University of Barcelona. Also participating private companies Janus developments and Biosystems, both from Barcelona.
IGEN Biotech in collaboration with the
IGEN Biotech has received a grant from the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (CDTI), which depends form the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Science and Innovation Ministery). The grant provides financial support for the development of the Genomic DNA Extraction Kit for low cell concentration simples. With a total amount of €215.000, the grant will fund part of the expenses of the project.
This new extraction kit provides high quality DNA, simplicity, efficiency and a rapid process (less than 3 hours). The kit has been specifically designed for low cell concentration samples, such as amniotic fluid or forensic, where time and DNA quality are critical issues when providing genetic diagnosis. From even less than 50.000 cells, this kit permits easy and rapid DNA extraction ready for use in all type of diagnostic technologies. The Kit prototype is currently being tested in some reference centers and it’s expected to be ready for market during the first quarter of 2011.
IGEN Biotech and the Ramón y Cajal Health Research Institute (IRYCIS, by its initials in Spanish) have signed a cooperation agreement for the provision of an aptamer search and selection service. It will be based on a technique developed by a team from the Institute and will be implemented in IGEN’s laboratories with the aim of offering this service to other companies or research groups. Aptamers are DNA or RNA molecules that are able to specifically identify other molecules, especially proteins, which makes them an excellent alternative to anti-bodies, both in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
IGEN Biotech and the Getafe University Hospital Biomedical Research Foundation (FIB, by its initials in Spanish), have signed an agreement for cooperation in future biomedical research projects.
IGEN Biotech and the Biomedical Research Foundation (FIB, by its initials in Spanish) at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital in Majadahonda have signed an agreement to begin cooperating in biomedical research projects. The signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement between IGEN’s CEO, Javier Guridi, and the Hospital’s managing director, Jorge Gómez Zamora, was attended by Belén Prado, vice-counselor of Health Planning and Infrastructures for the Madrid Regional Government.
ENISA, the Spanish National Innovation Enterprise linked to the Ministry of Industry, has signed a financial support agreement with IGEN Biotech, according to which the former will contribute 450,000 euros as a participative loan. This loan is aimed at supporting IGEN’s growth scheme, and will be allocated in two annual payments (2010 and 2011).
IGEN’s capital increase operation has closed with new contributions from the majority of current shareholders and the arrival of new investors. In order to achieve the company’s investment scheme, one last capital increase is envisaged before 2011.
After several months’ work, IGEN’s Research Laboratories were set in motion this past January. They contain state-of-the-art facilities capable of tasks ranging from the most common practices in biomedical research to highly specialized work. The premises include two general laboratories and several special divisions for cellular biology, cryopreservation, experimental medicine and surgery (with animal facilities and an operating room), and genetics and sequencing.
IGEN’s second capital increase will take place over the next quarter with the aim of financing the growth scheme for the next three years. In order to ensure the success of the operation, the company has contacted private investors interested in biotech projects.
The last details are being finalized for the launching of the company’s laboratories in BOJ business complex in
This year IGEN Biotech was one of the new companies to join ASEBIO, the Spanish Association of Bioenterprises. The association’s report, which includes interesting data about the sector’s state of affairs, mentions IGEN as a new associated company.
