EU projects and R&D Collaboration

Icosagen participates in several international and national research programmes and projects.

Aim of the proposed applied research project: To obtain new knowledge in order to understand
in-cell processes influenced by transfection reagents, thus correlation between transfection
efficiency and productivity using cell penetrating peptides for transfection of mammalian cells.

Outcome of research: connection between CPP design and structure, transfection efficiency and productivity will be established. Obtained new knowledge can be used for the development of new transfection reagent which is dedicated to achieve high protein production in QMCF mammalian cell lines, and improve existing processes.

Financial support: 307 952.75€

EU FP7 projects

• INTENSO - Gaining Productivity, Cost Efficiency and Sustainability in the Downstream Processing of Bio Products by Novel Integration and Intensification Strategies

The Intenso project is about identifying the bottlenecks in the currently used downstream processing methods, and finding new solutions to circumvent them. This is highly relevant for any and all biotechnical products, as downstream processes account for more than 80% of the manufacturing costs. The Intenso approach will not concentrate solely on the effectiveness of the new methods, but will strive to lead to a sustainable approach, factoring in risk management derived from economic, environmental, and social developments, also including government policies and legal constraints.
Project period: August 1, 2012 - January 31, 2017.

More information about Intenso: http://intensoproject.eu/

• MAARS - Microbes in Allergy and Autoimmunity Related to the Skin

MAARS is an international and multicentre study that explores the nature and duration of microbial stimuli and associated changes in the epithelial barrier leading to the development of skin-related allergy and autoimmunity. The aim of the study is to identify microbe-host-interaction networks involved in the development and persistence of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. The project will pave the way for progress in prevention, new diagnostic strategies and treatment options for allergy and autoimmune related skin diseases.
Project period: April 1, 2011 - March 31, 2015.

More information about MAARS: http://www.maars.eu/

• EURIPRED - European Research Infrastructures for Poverty Related Diseases

EURIPRED is a collaborative infrastructure programme with the objective to reinforce the knowledge infrastructure across poverty related diseases. The overall goal of EURIPRED is to coordinate and integrate international resources into a single specialized infrastructure to support European HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C studies from early drug, vaccine and microbicide discovery to clinical trials.
Project period: November 1, 2013 - October 31, 2017.

More information about EURIPRED: http://www.euripred.eu/home.html

EU H2020 programme projects

IcoCell - Chassis for Enhanced Mammalian Cell Line Development and Engineering

The opportunity to focus on the production of biopharmaceuticals is often taken from SMEs since huge amount of resources is required for the development of high-producer cell lines. We envision that our parental cell factories will increase the efficiency of cell line engineering and will effectively reduce the time-to-market for mammalian cell-based products. It allows SMEs to leverage their traditional strengths of adaptability and creativity, and to develop novel products for biotechnology industries.
Project period: April 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015.

Enterprise Estonia projects

• HPV DRUG- Novel platform for development of antiviral drugs against HPV infection (EU42266)
  Project period: January 13, 2012 - May 12, 2015.
  
• QMCF-SCALE - Increase of yields and efficiency of QMCF technology for production of biologic compounds (EU40878)
  Project period: October 01, 2011 - May 31, 2014.
  
• ICFOQUALITY - Icosagen Cell Factory teenuste osutamise kvaliteedistandardi tõstmine ja uue äristrateegia loomine (EU48091)
  Project period: October 17, 2014 - September 30, 2015.
  

Enterprise Estonia is the largest institution implementing EU structural funds in Estonia for the national support system for entrepreneurship, research institutions, public and non-profit sectors. 

Archimedes Foundation projects

• CYTOSKIN - Diagnostics and biologic drug candidates for psoriasis
  Project period: January 1, 2013 - August 31, 2015.
  
• ALLERGOFOOD - Development of biotechnology-based food allergen surveillance methods
  Project period: November 1, 2012 - August 31, 2015.
  
• IMGEMEL - Novel immunogenomic approach for characterization of melanoma pathogenesis 
  Project period: May 1, 2012 - April 30, 2015.
  

The Archimedes Foundation was established by the Estonian government to coordinate and implement different international and national programmes and projects in the field of training, education and research. Archimedes Foundation granted projects are performed in collaboration with the University of Tartu.