US Nanomedicine Partnering Mission Monday January 23rd – Friday January 27th 2012

Nearly 30 persons from companies, universities, press and public organisations in south-western Scandinavia participated in this partnering mission, organized with joint effort from Medicon Valley Alliance and Nano Connect Scandinavia. Nanomedicine - a rapidly evolving field – is of high interest to both the life science and the nanotechnology communities. In the US, this field has been supported by several large coordinating efforts, for example with the goal of using nanotechnology to diagnose and treat cancer or to advance biotechnology.

The programme was put together in a manner that would provide the delegates with a broad overview of the research initiatives as well as other activities in the Eastern part of the US. Hence the programme not only included visits at top of the line universities but also visits at innovative companies and networking events hosted by nano- and biotech cluster organisations in both North Carolina and Massachusetts. Targeted drug delivery using ‘immunosomes’, pulmonary vaccine delivery, new therapies for tissue regeneration, nanotoxicology and toxicological models simulating human organs (lung-on-a-chip or heart-on-a-chip) were some of the topics touched upon during this intense week.

The following organisations were visited…
…in North Carolina:

Duke University: Biomedical Engineering
Liquidia Technologies (company)
Research Triangle Institute (Insitute)
Center of Innovation for Nanobiotechnology (COIN): Networking event
North Carolina State University: College of Engineering
University of North Carolina

…in Boston:

Harvard University Science Center: Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center
Boston University: Center for Nanoscience and Nanobiotechnology
MIT–Harvard Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence
Northeastern University: School of Pharmacy
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Merrimack Pharmaceuticals (company)
Harvard Innovation Lab (iLab) (incubator)
Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio): Networking event

Example: Liquidia technologies
An example of an inspiring visit was at the company Liquidia Technologies in North Carolina, founded by Professor Joseph DeSimone, University of North Carolina. Liquidia develops engineered nanoparticle-based vaccines and therapeutics. The patented PRINT technology (Particle Replication In Non-Wetting Templates) allows for a very precise production of nanoparticles in specific sizes, shapes, chemistry, surface functionality and flexibility, thereby increasing the efficacy of vaccines or drugs.

Results of the mission

In a short term perspective the mission can be described as a success. The delegates have been very positive in their feedback.
Research Scientist at Sophion Bioscience Sandra Wilson states: “The US contacts (number + quality) would not have been possible to visit as an individual in such a time efficient and effective way”. Åsa Sjöholm Timén, Director of Business Development at Spago Imaging says: "All in all this partnering mission exceeded my expectations!"

The final number of collaborations emerging on basis of this trip is yet to be seen. As a delegate answers when asked if valuable connections were made: “Yet to be known, but I see three different possibilities for collaboration. Two cross-Atlantic, one local”.

(click image to enlarge)