Sorbus Biomedical: a new incubator company at SmiLe

Roger Rönn

During his research career, Roger Rönn made a discovery that could result in a paradigm shift in the field of cell culture. Based on this discovery, he is developing a machine that produces higher quality cells than current cell culture methods. Acceptance into the SmiLe incubator program, with access to SmiLe’s well-equipped laboratories, will now help him and his company, Sorbus Biomedical, to advance this innovation further toward commercialization.

Much of the most exciting research concerning treatment of diseases over the past 15-20 years has involved using donated human cells to produce a large volume of functional cells for subsequent use in clinical practice. A recurrent problem is that cells produced in culture fail to meet the necessary standard. They lose a great deal of functionality compared with the original cells. Researchers speculate that this may be due to an unknown missing component in the culture substrate.

Roger Rönn is developing a solution for the problem. Based on his earlier research, which shows that current production equipment is the direct cause of function-depleting damage to cultured cells, he is now developing a product that can be used in conjunction with currently available cell culture equipment to produce cells of significantly higher quality than what has been possible to date.

He now plans to commercialize the innovation through his newly started company, Sorbus Biomedical.

“I am pleased to have been accepted into the incubator program, with access to SmiLe’s business development resources and well-equipped laboratories. The advanced analytical equipment using mass spectrometry that is available at SmiLe is necessary for my continued product development. Earlier I received preparatory support and help with development at the Medeon Science Park pre-incubator in Malmö, which was valuable in helping me to prepare for this next step,” says Roger Rönn, who has had an active research career at the Biomedical Center (BMC) in Lund, as well as in Japan, the US and Scotland.

“Sorbus Biomedical’s needs show how important it is for small startup companies to gain access to the sophisticated instruments and complete laboratory environments that we can provide, to enable researchers to bring their technologies and products to market. Sorbus Biomedical is also a good example of a novel innovation from the world of academia that can provide better treatment methods for healthcare, aided by our professional business support,” says Ebba Fåhraeus, CEO of SmiLe Incubator.

For more information, please contact: Ebba Fåhraeus, +46 (0)734 000 433, ebba@smileincubator.life