Matti Sällberg: We want to increase industry interest in collaborating with researchers

The pre-GMP laboratory at Karolinska Institutet provides companies with the opportunity to develop products, drugs, and treatments. There is hope for increased industry interest in collaboration. Professor Matti Sällberg, responsible for the pre-GMP unit, explains more about how this can be helpful early in development

What is GMP?

– A pre-GMP facility facilitates the transition from making a discovery in the research lab to developing it for drug production, i.e., according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). In the pre-GMP facility, techniques can be tested and protocols developed, which are then transferred to a GMP unit. This makes development easier and cheaper.

How long have you been around?

– We have been around for about 3 years.

How unique are you?

– Currently, we are the only pre-GMP unit, but there are more under construction or in the planning stage. A similar facility is the Testa Center in Uppsala.

Can you tell us about an exciting project?

– A project that has just begun, and recently received funding from Vinnova, is called LaScarna. It involves three things:

Setting up mRNA production for research at the pre-GMP unit. For treatment in phase 1 studies at Vecura at Karolinska University Hospital. For large-scale production at Northx Biologics in Matfors. Here, we hope to create a good chain so that researchers developing mRNA-based drugs can access material for research as well as large clinical trials and ultimately pure drug production.

Can companies turn to you for help?

– All the help one needs. Everything from advice to assistance with the production of various cell or gene-based products.

What should one consider before contacting you?

– It is fine to contact us for all types of questions; we do our best to help and ensure that companies are on the right track.

What type of projects come to you?

– Typically, projects where one sees the potential to develop into a product or a drug/treatment.

Stockholm Life Tech is a project funded by the European Structural Funds. You are part of the project, what do you hope to gain from it?

– We see it as a way to improve the marketing of the pre-GMP laboratory and to increase industry interest in collaborating with academic and clinical researchers to develop new treatments that will ultimately benefit patients.

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