Icosagen (company)

Profile

Icosagen, 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. 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. 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.

History

Icosagen 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.

By 2008, Quattromed had become the largest diagnostics company in Estonia, employing 80 people. 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.

In 2015, Icosagen Technologies Inc. was established in a U.S. expansion. By 2022, Icosagen's turnover had risen to €20 million.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

References

References

1. "History—Icosagen". Icosagen.
2. (2023-02-14). "InvestEU: EIB agrees €18 million loan to Estonian biotech Icosagen". [[European Investment Bank]].
3. Ustav, Mart. (2023). "Biologics Production in Estonia". Estonian Journal of Biotechnology.
4. (29 May 2023). "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia.
5. (29 May 2023). "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia.
6. (29 May 2023). "How Estonian Icosagen is Introducing Innovative Biopharmaceutical Solutions to the World". Invest in Estonia.
7. (2023-02-14). "InvestEU: EIB agrees €18 million loan to Estonian biotech Icosagen". European Investment Bank.
8. (2023-03-20). "Icosagen Acquires the Carterra LSA". Business Wire.
9. (2023-10-10). "Salipro Biotech and Icosagen Launch Antibody Discovery Collaboration". GlobeNewswire.
10. (2023-10-10). "Salipro Biotech and Icosagen Launch Antibody Discovery Collaboration". Salipro Biotech.
11. (2024-05-16). "Icosagen and Lead Discovery Center Announce Collaboration". Bio-IT World.
12. (2024-07-20). "Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a nasal spray efficiently block viral transmission between ferrets". iScience.