Swedish Biotech Update

Malik Merza, Senior Vice president, Svanova Biotech

This story stretches back to 1988, when research activities for diagnosing infectious diseases in livestock—and household pets—were begun at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) located in Uppsala, Sweden. The successful outcome of this research led, around 1991–94, to the production of several tools in the form of testing kits to help in veterinary disease diagnostics. As the new millennium approached, it was obvious that all these activities—not the least the expanding production work—had to somehow be gathered together under a single corporate roof. Said and done. Investment money was procured and SVANOVA Biotech AB was born in January of 2001.

Christina Frimodig, President, Svanova Biotech

Svanova Biotech AB
Founded: 2001
Publicly listed: No
Number of employees: 30
Key business area(s): Veterinary
diagnostics
Telephone: +46 18 67 46 00
Website
Contact

Dedicated to better
Veterinary Diagnostics

SVANOVA Biotech AB based in Uppsala, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells a broad range of veterinary diagnostic products for large-scale labs and for the veterinary clinics as well as the veterinarian in the field. The company’s products are mostly based on the well-known ELISA technology, which is marketed under the trade name SVANOVIR®. These products—which detect antibodies associated with various micro-organisms—are used as important tools for national and international veterinary disease diagnostics. Some of them are also used for national and international eradication and control programs. SVANOVA has 30 highly qualified employees. Its sales of products based on ELISA technology (today 23 kits), are carried out through approx. 30 distributors worldwide, and the company also sells through direct contact.

R & D Tomorrow
A spotlight has been placed on expanding and improving testing possibilities in the field. The major products, here, will be convenient kits based on dip-stick technology. One such kit has already left the lab to become a commercial product: it is the SVANODIP CPV test for the detection of the Canine Parvovirus antigen. It is a self-sampling device that provides results in three minutes. Several more dip-stick kits are nearing completion in the company’s R&D laboratory, including a fast, accurate, and highly reliable test for Foot and Mouth disease.

In the Long Term
Long-term plans at SVANOVA include increased attention on food safety, which again brings up BSE testing, not to mention another “plague” of today, Salmonella. This, and other research, is being done and will be done in cooperation with the company’s partners, diagnostic labs, and institutes via its network. The plans include additional products for animal species that are on the product list of today as well as products for new animal species. SVANOVA is also involved in technology development with the aim to take an active part in technological changes on the international market.

Everett Ellestad