Behind the Scenes: R&D and Innovation at Biogelx

 

Mitch Scanlan, CEO

Mr. Scanlan is a charismatic leader, and business growth addict, who has successfully driven the commercialization of a range of technology and service companies within the life sciences sector. Mitch has worked for large multinationals, SME’s and start-ups including Millipore, Quintiles, Deloitte, Touche, Sartorius Stedim Biotech, Bioprocessors Corporation, and BioOutsource Limited. In his current role, Mitch works on the business transformation of a Scottish biomaterial SME called Biogelx.

 

What is Biogelx for those who may not have heard of the company’s novel 3D peptide-based hydrogels?

Biogelx is helping people working in translational science, drug discovery and tissue engineering by “making in vitro cell cultures more in vivo”.  We do this through manufacturing and supplying 3D cell cultures that can be tuned to specific tissues and synthetic bioinks that are reproducible and easy to handle.

Our portfolio of biomaterials is comprised of synthetic peptide hydrogels that act as extracellular-matrix environments to support cell growth.  In addition, the chemical and physical properties of our biomaterials can be precisely tuned to replicate the characteristics of specific tissues so that the cells experience and engage with a realistic 3D environment. These unique cell-matching capabilities enable pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies, medical researchers and academics to better predict the safety and efficacy of screened compounds before they enter expensive clinical trials.

 

What are the biggest challenges the 3D Cell Culture industry is facing today?

On the whole, the 3D cell culture industry is an exciting field in which to be operating.  In fact, the global 3D cell culture is expected to grow by 15% between now and 2024 to $1.69bn. This growth is driven by a demand in the areas of stem cell research, tissue engineering, drug discovery and, in particular, toxicity testing.  That’s because pharmaceutical companies are increasingly looking for in vitro models that better predict the safety and efficacy of compounds before they are studied in humans.  A report by BIO in 2016 found that over 90% of drug candidates entering Phase I trials fail to make it to marketing authorisation and a recent report from Deloitte found that, as a result, the cost of bringing a drug to market increased from $1.5bn in 2016 to $2bn in 2017.

However, although the benefits of 3D cell culture over 2D screening are increasingly recognised there are considerations that prevent a wholesale adoption of phenotypic screening in industry.

Firstly, the development of cell-based models to identify more specific cell behaviours costs more than traditional, 2D high throughput screening and represents an additional step in the drug discovery process.  This means the methods and outcomes need to be proven and validated in order to demonstrate value to the industry.  This takes time, requires investment and demands benchmarking that isn’t necessarily well established.

Secondly, this is an emerging field and awareness of the different technologies and evidence supporting them isn’t widespread.  So, sharing of data, insights and education with industry is important.  In addition, this emerging field doesn’t yet have the imaging and analysis techniques associated with it in the same way they exist for more traditional high throughput screening.

Finally, the need for the industry to outsource these capabilities is clearly an opportunity for 3D cell culture providers but it also takes many organisations (pharmaceutical companies included) into the unknown territory of joint ventures and collaborations.  Navigating intellectual property agreements and the development of new business models is something that requires time and an appetite for trying something new.

 

What is new for this year as opposed to the previous one at Biogelx?

This year we have been focusing on better serving the end user through the commercial transformation of the company. We have developed a new sales and marketing strategy that aims to educate, share data and provide insight.  To achieve this, we’ve recruited additional science and commercial professionals, and we’ve increased our spend on Research and Development.

We recently launched our new 3D Cell Culture product range which offers functionalized cell culture matrices in response to market demand and in September we will launch our new generation peptide-based 3D bio-ink portfolio (BiogelxTM-INK).

In addition, we have been supporting Masters and Ph.D. students who are developing an osteogenic sarcoma model, an osteoarthritis model, wound healing applications and 3D bioprinting application for biomimetic bone grafts.  We have also collaborated with external partners on two cancer research projects and applied for funding for a third.

 

Can you tell us more about the future product and service developments at Biogelx?

After the launch of our new, tissue specific 3D cell cultures and our synthetic bioink this year we will be working to launch another product before the end of 2018.  This product will retain the key features of our biomaterials and will be particularly interesting for researchers currently using Matrigel.

Beyond 2018, we will be working to realise our ambition of developing the biological capability within the company to complement the chemistry that makes our products unique.  We are also extremely excited to be starting a research project that aims to make personalised cancer treatment a reality for the future.

 

Biogelx will host a live webinar on October 25; what do the audience gain from attending this webinar?

This webinar has been designed for industry researchers, translational scientists and academics working in drug screening, toxicity testing and cell biology.  The audience will gain insight from leading academics into the role of 3D cell culture in preclinical biomedical research as well as the specific role of Biogelx’s 3D cell culture in stem cell research and developing liver models for toxicity texting.  The speakers will provide insight and experience gained through their work at the Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, the City University of New York, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Glasgow.

The webinar will provide insight into the increasing role of 3D cell culture techniques in providing more physiologically-relevant results to more traditional 2D culture systems.  There will also be perspectives as to why hydrogels are the most promising option in the development of 3D cell cultures that mimic both the salient elements and mechanics of native ECMs.  The audience will also see the evidence for Biogelx’s 3D cell culture products in stem cell research and in the development of liver models.

 

How can people learn more about Biogelx’s peptide-based hydrogel products?

After the live event, this webinar will be available on our website Biogelx.com.  You will also see on our blog that we regularly publish the latest insight and perspectives from the world of 3D cell culture along with the latest evidence for our products.  But above all, working in partnership is a priority for Biogelx so you can always contact us in person by emailing me at [email protected].  We are always here to answer questions, help solve problems and develop bespoke solutions.

 

 

Victor Ferraro Esparza,
Strategic Product Manager for Unified Data Management solutions

He started his career as System Management Engineer in the area of GSM/CDMA User Data Bases (HLR, FNR, AuC, EIR). In 2003, Víctor lead an Innovation focal point of Numbering, Naming and Addressing and took the position of Strategic Product Manager for the Ericsson AAA Server product. In 2006, as member of Product Line of Packet Core Networks, he worked as Strategic Product Manager for Ericsson Deep Packet Inspection and Policy Control products leading the evolution of Ericsson Policy Control business at the times of 3G and 4G traffic and mobile broadband traffic and service offering growth. Since 2016, Víctor’s main assignment is to lead the market and strategy aspects of Ericsson User Data Management and Policy Control portfolio evolution into 5G.

What do you hope attendees will gain at your event/s?

They will get an open-minded approach on CN evolution that combines classical thinking with new CN architectural possibilities and the way to get all this into optimal use and operation to realize the promise of 5G uses cases and operational models.

 What discussions do you look forward to having with the attendees?

Discussion around the big gains that CN will make possible, both intrinsic (based on its nature and the way it is built) and extrinsic  (based on making it a key asset to partner with bigger ecosystem)

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Working with key evolution questions, in a highly demanding and high rewarding international environment,  that fundamentally have got the potential to change business processes and cost structures. I like listening and learning from experts and contrast viewpoints to really find the core of the technology values.

 How did you get into the industry?

I studied Telecommunications Engineering at the times of GSM wave (20 years ago). I had the feeling that Mobile Communications were the way that would secure the world and societies progress, making life easier, safer and better and creating fair opportunities no matter who you are or where you have been born. Even though we compete, I like the way that Telco companies cooperate, to really preserve and evolve the core values of our industry.

To register for the webinar mentioned in this interview, click here

Lars Frid,
Director 5G Core Product Management

Lars is a Director of Strategic Product Management of 5G Core Networks, currently based in Stockholm, Sweden. He has over 25 years of experience of working with wireless data communications in Sweden and in Silicon Valley, California, US. His area of work has covered global standards for 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile data communications, and also IP routing, satellite systems, and dedicated mobile data systems for industries and enterprises.

His current focus is to drive product strategies for 5G systems, focusing on next-generation packet data solutions, with a specific focus on business modelling and business development in relation to next-generation network architectures.

What do you hope attendees will gain at your event/s?

An understanding of the key values 5G Core networks are targeted to meet, and some of the fundamental concepts being utilized to reach these.

What discussions do you look forward to having with the attendees?

Discussions are always interesting, e g about business values.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

Working with complicated strategic questions in a truly international environment. I have also had the possibility to be part of the early strategic work for all technology shifts from 2G to 5G.

How did you get into the industry?

I have been working with telecommunications since leaving University close to 30 years ago. I simply found it the most interesting area at the time. And probably still does.

Where is your favourite place in the world and why?

Difficult question, I have quite a few. If forced to select I go for the Stockholm archipelago due to its beauty, wildlife, tranquillity, accessibility and overall atmosphere. Highly recommended.

To register for the webinar mentioned in this interview, click here

 

What are the biggest challenges your industry is facing today?

The move by medical device and diagnostics companies to digital has caused a proliferation in content – marketing teams are creating more assets today than just a few years ago and the trend is expected to continue. With less than 2% of content being reused, companies are reviewing their digital supply chains to bring efficiencies and savings across the organization.

What are the biggest drivers for digital transformation?

When we quizzed our webinar audience on the biggest drivers for digital transformation in their organizations “meeting the rigorous compliance requirements for regulated content” came out on top – 60% of the audience naming it as a key driver. Organizations also place high value on processes and solutions that allow them to get their product to market faster while providing analytics and insights into the data and activity driven by those processes.

What are the key discussion points of this webinar?

This webinar explores industry challenges and solutions for efficient and cost-effective ways of managing commercial content with people and technology. Roche Diagnostics presents a case study of how it is tackling digital content management to improve speed to market. By better managing the lifecycle of digital assets, it’s possible to reduce expensive duplication of assets, maintain better control of the brand image, and stay compliant in a complex regulatory environment.

What did the audience gain from attending your webinar?

I hope participants come away with an understanding of how the industry is responding to the increase in digital content creation and how efficiencies can be gained by properly managing their content. With Shawn Heuchan providing an inside look into Roche Diagnostics’ transformation, I believe the audience took away a few actionable ideas they can bring to their own team.

How can others learn more about transforming content management?

If unable to join the live webinar, I encourage everyone to watch the recording. I would also like to continue this conversation and I’m happy to be contacted at [email protected] with any questions.