Strong Product Pipeline Drives Swedish Biotech Industry

STOCKHOLM, May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- A new biotech pipeline survey over small and medium-sized companies shows that Sweden has 110 projects in late pre-clinical or clinical trials. This indicates great potential for the Swedish biotech industry in the coming years.

The survey shows that cancer-related conditions dominate the therapeutic category for the Swedish biotech industry. This category is followed by CNS disorders and Metabolic disorders.

"Biovitrum has never had such a broad and exciting pipeline as it has today. We have eight projects in clinical trials and three more projects expected to enter into clinical trials during 2007, says Biovitrum's CEO Mats Pettersson. We see fantastic growth potential in our project portfolio. With our solid financial position we will be able to develop and take our specialist medicines all the way to the market and the patients, and for primary care products we will seek partnerships with larger pharmaceutical companies," Mats continues.

The survey of Sweden's small and medium-sized companies shows the following results:

- The majority of the projects in development by Swedish biotech companies are focused on small molecules

- 44 percent of the projects are available for partnering

- 32 percent of the projects have partnered with Big Pharma or other smaller companies

- 39 percent of the compounds originate from the university sector

- In total 45 projects are in late pre-clinical phase, 22 in Phase I, 32 in Phase II, and 11 in Phase III.

The survey of the Swedish biotech pipeline was conducted by the Swedish Biotechnology Industry organization SwedenBIO, Invest in Sweden Agency and the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems in an effort to promote the investment opportunities in the Swedish biotech industry.

The total Swedish pipeline is 169 projects, where AstraZeneca Sweden represents 59 projects.

Out of the 77 small and medium -companies who were asked to participate in the survey, 72 responded.

Meet the Swedish Biotech industry at the Scandinavian Pavilion at BIO, Booth 2065.

    
    For further information and survey please contact:
    
    Emma Berglund MSc
    SwedenBIO
    Phone: +46-70-67-42-164
    emma.berglund@swedenbio.com