Biotecnol

Biotecnol is an immune-oncology company focusing on the development of multifunctional antibodies for highly heterogeneous oncological situations. Biotecnol is developing oncological treatments for rare diseases such as triple-negative breast cancer, malignant mesothelioma, and other highly-aggressive and mutated cancer subtypes.[1]

History

Started in 1996, Biotecnol operated as a consultancy company, providing consultancy services to Portuguese pharmaceutical companies, and also European biotech companies. In 2000, Biotecnol attracted its first investment and was able to begin independent activities. This allowed Biotecnol to develop into the first pharmaceutical biotech research & development-driven company in Portugal. In 2002, Biotecnol accomplished further financing, which allowed Biotecnol to transition to product development. The company's early administrative quarters were located in the TagusPark science park in Oeiras near Lisbon, Portugal, and the research and development facilities were located nearby. The company was funded through a mixture of private funding (72%) and Portuguese venture capital (28%). The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has its Research and Development laboratories in Oeiras Portugal.

During Q1 2006, Biotecnol consolidated all its activities into the current facility at Lagoas Park in Portugal. Biotecnol has also established a wholly owned subsidiary, Biotecnol Inc, in Durham, North Carolina, USA in 2008. Today Biotecnol is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has its Research and Development Facilities in Portugal.

In addition to these activities, Biotecnol also co-founded the Portuguese Bio-Industries Association (APBio) in 1998 to promote the development of a biotechnological industry in Portugal. APBio is part of the European Bioindustries Association (EuropaBio), which represents over 600 European companies.

In 2013, Biotecnol created a spin-off company called Rodon Biologics to focus on therapeutic development for clients, while keeping the US branch of Biotecnol focused on the company's proprietary drug development.[2]

In 2017, Biotecnol partnered with Cancer Research UK for clinical development of Biotecnol's first drug, Tb535H, which targets the 5T4/WAIF1 tumor antigen, and was developed with Biotecnol's antibody-based Trisoma platform.[1]

The founders

Biotecnol was founded by Dr Pedro de Noronha Pissarra and Dr Andrew Kelly. Dr Kelly's training included work as part of the European Community ECLAIR-funded project on commercially significant phytopathogenic fungi. After work on Escherichia coli at King's College, London, he helped create Biotecnol's research programmes. Dr de Noronha Pissarra has worked at numerous institutions, including King's College, London, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA and the Centre for Biotechnology of the Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby.

References
  1. "Cancer Research UK and Biotecnol to trial new immuno-oncology treatment for advanced tumours". Cancer Research UK. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  2. "Biotecnol SA creates a dedicated spin-off structure called Rodon Biologics to support client therapeutic candidates development, while focusing its proprietary drug development through its US subsidiary Biotecnol Inc". Health Cluster Portugal. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
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