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2006 News archive

Major EU grant to analysis of cancer tissue

A research project initiated by a Scandinavian consortium including Visiopharm A/S, which will advance the analysis of cancer tissue, has been awarded 3 million Euro (nearly 4 million USD) by the European Union.

The three year 'ENLIGHT' Project (ENhanced LIGase-based Histochemical Techniques) has three major goals:

Development of assays for in situ detection of protein and genetic markers in tumor biopsies by use of highly sensitive and specific methods, including the proximity ligation technology and the padlock probe technology.
Development of image analysis tools for automated, rapid and reliable quantification of the in situ assay signals.
Enablement by clinical investigations of the assays for diagnosis and individual management of cancer.

Björn Ekström, CEO of the Swedish biotech company, Olink AB, and coordinator of ENLIGHT, said: "Proximity ligation and padlock probing are the first technologies to offer the sensitivity and specificity required for detailed studies of single bio-molecules in situ. When combined with fast and precise detection by image analysis, the resulting assay methods will become invaluable tools in biological research, routine diagnosis, and drug development. The ENLIGHT consortium is very proud of being awarded the EU grant, which will allow us to further speed up the progress in this field."

"The development of image analysis systems that will detect, localize and quantify signals from single molecule events in cancer cells is a great challenge for us at Visiopharm. The EU funding will be very supportive, and we look forward to providing valuable solutions in collaboration with our frontline academic and industry partners in the ENLIGHT consortium." said Niels T. Foged, who recently joined Visiopharm as CSO after 4 years as research director at Dako A/S, one of the other ENLIGHT participants.

Updated: 2006.11.01

Niels T. Foged joins Visiopharm as Chief Scientific Officer

Copenhagen, Denmark (August 16, 2006) - Visiopharm A/S announced today that Dr. Niels Tækker Foged has been named Chief Scientific Officer, and thereby will be responsible for the Company’s relations to partners and customers in the fields of biology, diagnostics and pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Foged, 45, comes to Visiopharm after having decided to leave his position as R&D Director of the world leading cancer diagnostics company Dako A/S. Niels T. Foged is a master of science in chemistry, and holds a bachelor degree in financing. He achieved his title of doctor of veterinary science by developing a recombinant vaccine and diagnostic method for an infectious disease in pigs. Before joining Dako in 2002, Dr. Foged was co-founder and CEO of the biotech company Osteopro A/S, which in a merger became a part of Nordic Bioscience A/S, a company developing pharmaceuticals and diagnostics for diseases of bone and cartilage.

"Niels T. Foged’s experience with biotech in general, and the pathology business area in particular will further enforce Visiopharm’s position as the developer and provider of frontline tools for image analysis and quantitative microscopy," said Michael Grunkin, CEO and co-founder of Visiopharm. "Automated analysis of cells and tissues from patients will become of crucial importance to biological research as well as in disease management. With the employment of Dr. Foged, Visiopharm has taken a very important step to ensure that the company will continue to play a central role in this development."

Updated: 2006.08.16

Collaboration between Bitplane and Visiopharm

Bitplane AG and Visiopharm A/S have signed a licensing agreement, allowing Visiopharm to incorporate and sell the Bitplane Filament Tracer technology as an add-on module to the stereology (newCAST) and image analysis (VIS) software developed by Visiopharm. Says Michael Grunkin, CEO of Visiopharm: "We are proud to offer our customers the filament tracer, which is probably the strongest technology currently available for neurotracing. This will be a winning combination for researchers requiring leading-edge technology in the field of neuroscience".

»	www.bitplane.com

Updated: 2006.03.14