Trizell Limited

Ark Therapeutics Limited

Arktherapeutics Group, Plc

Ferring Ventures Ltd

Eurogene Limited

Seppo Yla-Herttuala

Kari Juhani Airenne

Hanna P Lesch

Piia Kristiina Valonen

Eva Kristiina Rasanen

Tarja Hannele Tuunanen

Minna Kristiina Karhinen

Nigel Parker

Stephen George Edward Barker

John Martin

Minna Hassinen

Jenni Mykkanen

Robert Shaw

Joonas Malinen

Eevi Lipponen

Pauliina Lehtolainen

Sami Loimas

Hanna Peltonen

Matti Vapalahti

Anu-Maaria Sandmair

Varpu Marjomaki

Markku Kulomaa

Anssi Mahonen

Pyry Toivanen

Haritha Samaranayake

Achim Muller

Milla Jonna Karoliina Karnaattu

John Francis Martin

Stephen George Barker

Ann-Marie Maatta

Jere Pikkarainen

Eva Kristiina RÄSÄNEN

Achim MÜLLER

Certain viral gene therapy vectors are by design unable to replicate in a patient. Nonetheless, during manufacture of viral gene therapy vector, undesirable replication-competent virus ('RCV') may form due to random mutation or other events. Viral gene therapy vector manufacturers thus assay for the presence of contaminating RCV. Regulatory agencies require this to be done by assaying for serial infection, i.e., transducing target cells with the viral vector, and then lysing the transduced cells, and then mixing the lysate with live assay cells, and then microscopically observing the assay cells to visually determine whether they have been infected with virus. We have tested various alternative approaches, and surprisingly found that digital PCR is not only faster than the prior art approach, but is also over an order of magnitude more sensitive, able to detect, for example, in 3×10assay cells, as few as seven (7) replication competent adenoviruses (“RCA”).

Gene therapy vector contamination assay

We have modified a commercially-available adherent cell culture bioreactor in several ways to increase productivity of cultured cells, while decreasing contamination risk. We found that modifying a commercially-available adherent cell culture bioreactor to provide for slower cell culture medium flow unexpectedly and dramatically increases the productivity of the cultured adherent cells. We also developed a new sampling manifold configuration and new way of taking samples, to reduce contamination risk.

Fixed-bed bioreactor with constant-flow pump / tubing system

We have modified a commercially-available adherent cell culture bioreactor, developing a new sampling manifold configuration and new way of taking samples to reduce contamination risk.

Aseptic bioreactor sampling system

Novel forward primer, reverse primer and poly-linker suitable for replication of nucleic acids in e.g., 293 cells.

Nucleic acid application primers

The present invention is a VEGF-D protein, containing one or more amino acid mutations at the dimer interface, and their use in therapy, particularly in the promotion of angiogenesis.

VEGF-D mutants and their use

The present invention pertains to an avidin-pseudotyped virus, and especially baculovirus, useful for delivery of foreign genes etc. The present invention also pertains to vectors comprising respective cassettes for pseudotyping, mammalian gene expression and insect gene expression in baculovirus.

Avidin-pseudotyped viral vectors and their use

The present invention concerns vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which has utility in the treatment of intimal hyperplasia, hypertension and atherosclerosis, and of conditions susceptible to treatment with agents that produce nitric oxide or prostacyclin. Instead of VEGF, an equivalent agent such as an agonist of VEGF receptors may be given, as may nucleic acid encoding such an agonist. The agent may successfully be administered via the adventitial surface of a blood vessel, e.g., using a device which defines a reservoir between the body wall and the vessel's adventitial surface, the reservoir being at least part-filled by a pharmaceutical formulation containing the agent to be delivered.

Therapeutic use of growth factor, and delivery device, especially for the treatment of intimal hyperplasia

The present invention pertains to a novel transmembrane protein capable of binding to biotinylated molecules, the protein comprising a cytoplasmic domain, a membrane-spanning domain and an extracellular domain, wherein the extracellular domain comprises biotin-binding activity.

Nucleic acids encoding biotin-binding receptors

An adenovirus having a functional thymidine kinase gene is useful in the treatment of brain tumors.

Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy

Growing community of inventors

Kuopio, Finland

Seppo Yla-Herttuala