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LABORATION: Panel Day

LST

LABORATION: Panel Day

Published October 11th 2018

The first ever Laboration contestants made their pitches to Aker BioMarine panel on October 11. The specially selected eight candidates are competing for a free 12 month membership at ShareLab, with access to lab & lab management, office space, and mentorships – generously sponsored by Aker BioMarine.

The participants’ ideas will be evaluated on innovation level, commercial potential, societal benefits, and several other key factors.

Armend G. Håti, Ph.D. and director of Product Development at Aker BioMarine, said:

"At Aker BioMarine we are strong supporters of thinking outside the ordinary and we always seek to support innovators that also share our drive to improve human and planetary health. Our sponsorship with ShareLab is one example of this. We are pleased to have received lots of interesting biotech cases and were impressed by the cases in our pitch-competition today."

What happens now?

The panel will make their picks, and in November, the three top picks face off in the Laboration final. Who will make out with the head prize? Follow us for updates!

Who is in the running?

Meet our Laboration contestans on our Facebook page.

"Our innovators are the heart of ShareLab. The Laboration sponsorship from Aker BioMarine is both a great opportunity for us to include new members to the ShareLab family and a path for entrepreneurs to lift their projects to a completely new level. We very much look forward to welcoming the Laboration winner"

Esben A. Nilssen, Managing Partner of ShareLab

Published by: Iselin H. Wood

News

Sample preparation and real-time PCR

Sample preparation and real-time PCR

VWR hosted a sold-out lab course when they invited to training in “sample preparation and real-time PCR” in ShareLab on September 17th.

It was obvious that ShareLab would be the perfect place to facilitate a lab course with mix of theory and hands-on training including analysis. ShareLab Lab Manager and VWR employee, Inderjit S. Marjara, hosted the full-day course with help from VWR team. Inderjit has over 20 years of experience within biotechnology and lab work. He was enthusiastic after the event:

“Although it takes a lot of effort to host such training, it was all worth it. The best part was the enthusiastic participants, they showed curiosity and asked good questions throughout the event. I soon realized that such training should be offered more often, not only on qPCR and sample handling but also other topics.”

- Inderjit S. Marjara, ShareLab and VWR

Lab course consisted of the whole workflow from taking the sample, through long-term storage, extraction of DNA and qPCR. Followed by a brief section on qPCR analysis. It is more or less an impossible task to cover all this in detail, but active participants and good discussions is key and shows what should be emphasized on.

PS,
Last month’s event was fully booked w/waiting list established. New lab courses are scheduled and will be published later this fall and after Christmas, follow ShareLab newsletter and Facebook page to stay updated.

News

B’ZEOS – Eat it, bite it or let it!

Single-use plastic straws are top 10 debris in the oceans. About 180 billion of plastic drinking straws are consumed each year in the world, according to a report of Seas at Risk. Drinking straws are currently used as a symbol for the fight against plastic and many organisations claim their prohibition.

New ShareLab member B'ZEOS may have a solution to the problem with their Zero-waste, Edible, nature’s Origin and Sugar-free drinking straw (ZEOS straw), an alternative to plastic drinking straws.

“Fighting climate change and plastic littering is our ambition and adding seaweed into the equation is our mission! With ZEOS straws we do more than cutting CO2 emissions, we encourage new generations to be the change they want to see in this world (Gandhi). Our slogan is simple: Eat it, Bite it or Let it. But at the end, YOU make it disappear. Thanks Sharelab for having us on-board!”

– Guy Maurice, Founder B’ZEOS

What is ZEOS straw? It is edible and compostable in normal condition in contrast to PLA, starch and other so-called biodegradable plastics on the market. It’s mainly produced from certified seaweed. In contrast to the use of fossil resources, marine resources are inexhaustible, quickly renewable, bio-compostable, fertilizing, energy-efficient and seaweed have negative CO2 emission.

“We’re happy having Guy and Caroline with us and look forward to helping B’ZEOS to develop an alternative to plastic drinking straws. I have already tried the first iteration of their edible innovation and needless to say, they will weed out all competition. Plastics shall clutch at straws!”

– Esben Nilssen, Managing Partner ShareLab
News

Innovators Wanted – Own office not required

CEO Matts Johansen of Aker BioMarine ASA (Photo: Aker BioMarine)

Innovators Wanted – Own office not required

ShareLab and Aker BioMarine are launching a competition to find the next generation of life science and marine innovators.

Published July 3rd 2018

 
We are looking for teams or start-ups with unique ideas or concepts. Aspiring innovators will be selected based on a single page executive summary of their idea or concept.
At stake is a one-year membership to ShareLab, a new co-working laboratory and office space, tailor-made for life science start-ups, located in Oslo, Norway.
The winning team will be awarded an Aker BioMarine-funded spot in the lab and office facilities, as well as benefit from active mentorship and access to Aker Biomarine’s network. Neither Aker BioMarine nor ShareLab will retain any ownership or stake in the winning idea.

Our knowledge and utilization of the ocean is still so limited

Matts Johansen, CEO of Aker BioMarine, explains why collaborative projects and creative environments like ShareLab are so important for an innovation-driven industry such as his:
“The way we see it, this is about increasing the value creation from the ocean’s resources.  To cope with the challenges of the future it would be arrogant not to believe that some of the solutions may lay within the oceans. Especially as our knowledge and utilization of the ocean is still so limited.”
Adding, “ShareLab represents a unique opportunity to foster the development of such solutions. They are on the same mission, to find sustainable and innovative new products. At the end of the day it is about breaking down barriers and removing friction to enable the growth and development of good ideas.”

Life science will be a vital part of Norwegian industry

Esben A. Nilssen, Managing Partner at ShareLab, says, “We are thrilled to see Aker BioMarine sign on as ShareLab partner only months after our official opening by prime minister Erna Solberg. This is testimony to our belief that life science will be a vital part of Norwegian industry in the future. Sustainable development of our oceans and forests, growth of our seafood industry, as well as human and animal health all depend on life science innovation. Aker BioMarine is one of Europe’s most innovative companies – of course they join the ShareLab community!”
Recently winning that title in the prestigious European Business Awards, Aker BioMarine’s continued success, and indeed the very market it helped create, is built upon finding new and ground-breaking ways to work.
Johansen says, “Innovative people and new ideas are the very foundation of our success. We are constantly on the lookout for explorers who think outside the ordinary, while keeping their feet firmly on the ground.”
The deadline for entries to the competition is September 15thand the winner will be announced on October 3rd.
Click here for more information about the contest
News

ShareLab – important for the success of building a…

ShareLab Grand Opening

Dr Stenar Thoresen, Medical Director at Abbvie (Photo: Anne Grete Storvik)

ShareLab - important for the success of building a strong Norwegian healthcare industry

Published June 13th 2018

 

Abbvie has partnered with ShareLab to build the health industry in Norway. In this article (link below), Medical Director Steinar Thoresen (Abbvie) and Managing Partner Esben A. Nilssen explain why ShareLab will make a difference, and why the Norwegian government's health industry announcement is important.

Should we succeed in building strong health education, we depend on good information exchange and close cooperation! 

Read the full article here (The article is written in Norwegian)

Published by: Iselin H. Wood

News

The Life Science Team

LST

Life Science Team: Expertise at hand for life science businesses

Published June 10th 2018

 

Life Science Team AS was established to promote new career opportunities in life science and contribute to the development of the Norwegian life science sector. They are building a network of independent life science consultants to offer their expertise to companies and organisations operating in the sector. Their services span the entire value chain from development to commercialisation of new, research-based products and services.

" -We are convinced there is a better way of managing life science expertise than hiring people in full-time positions. Many companies lack the finances they need to acquire necessary expertise, full time. We are here to help these companies get started at a much lower cost. We also aim to be a lean staffing partner for established companies."

Eirik Torheim (Development manager)

From their desk in Sharelab, Life Science Team has an excellent vantage point to the Norwegian life science industry: In Sharelab and Oslo Science Park, new businesses are forming constantly. Next door, at the University of Oslo, tomorrow's talent is training. Additionally, the National Hospital across the road represents a major hub for testing and implementing new products and services.

" -We are very happy to be here, and are determined to contribute to all the exciting developments we are witnessing around us. We humbly offer our help, and hope to contribute to making Oslo and Norway an international hub for life science. The potential is definitely there!"

Eirik Torheim (Development manager)

The ShareLab team is excited to have Life Science Team as member and wish them the best of luck!

Published by: Iselin H. Wood

News

INHIBIO: Sustainable biocontrol solutions

ShareLab Grand Opening

INHIBIO: Sustainable biocontrol solutions

Published 17 April 2018

Inhibio AS is a start-up company developing environmental-friendly solutions for combating unwanted biofilm in the aquaculture industry and on materials in marine environments.

Biofilms may form on living or non-living surfaces in almost any environment where there is a combination of moisture and nutrients. Once bacteria have formed biofilm, other organisms like plants, algae and animals can also attach, resulting in biofouling.

Biofilms and biofouling cost marine businesses (aquaculture, shipping etc.) billions of dollars every year, along with lost industrial productivity, product loss and equipment damage. Inhibio's solution has a preventive effect on biofilm formation, and is environmetally friendly - which adds up to substantial market potential.

" - We are happy to be part of ShareLab! It was perfect timing for us to get access to the laboratory facilities now, and we have already started our laboratory activities. We are looking forward to further developing and testing our technology in the lab."

Mari Espelund (CTO)

Through two projects, partly funded by the Norwegian Research Counsil, a network of external spesialist partners and persons make up the cutting-edge Inhibio technology- and product development team. CEO Kim Heglund has several tech-based start-ups on his CV and CTO Mari Espelund is responsible for development of the Inhibio technology.

The ShareLab team is excited to have Inhibio as a member and wish them the best of luck!

ShareLab Mingle News

ShareLab Kick-Off Gathered Over 300 Participants

  • 17. april 201817. april 2018
  • by sigurdrk
ShareLab Mingle

ShareLab Kick-Off Gathered Over 300 Participants

With over 300 visiting guests and Prime Minister Erna Solberg conducting the official opening, ShareLab reached a milestone on its Kick-Off March 21st. “- We wanted to create momentum and excitement for ShareLab, as well as inform about our activities. I think we reached that goal”, says Esben A. Nilssen, Managing Partner at ShareLab.

 

 

“ - Creation of ShareLab is important in the current restructuring of Norway. ShareLab is interaction, new companies, and science- and knowledge-based ”

- Prime Minister Erna Solberg

Erna Solberg

Eight ShareLab members did short presentations illustrating the width of competence and field of interest amongst the ShareLab community, before seven SPARK Norway projects (from University of Oslo’s SPARK initiative) entered the stage to battle for a 6-month membership at ShareLab. Simone Mester and her project on antibodies won the prize, congratulations!

ShareLab Lab

How does ShareLab work?

ShareLab is a membership community providing a complete range of biotech innovation and technical services. This includes access to a fully equipped and managed lab, special functions rooms, shared office space, as well as social areas. Our dedicated staff manage the laboratory so that members may concentrate on their R&D. ShareLab is open for all companies and researchers working within biotech and life sciences seeking lab facilities and entrepreneurial peers. High impact innovation startups have priority.

News

ShareLab – grand opening on March 21st

ShareLab Grand Opening

ShareLab - grand opening on March 21st

Published 8 March 2018

Oslo’s new biotech incubator – ShareLab - opens officially on March 21st. ShareLab offers state-of-the-art lab facilities combined with a professional incubator environment for entrepreneurs and startups developing products and services based on the life sciences.

ShareLab kick-off on March 21st at 1.30pm

On March 21st you will meet entrepreneurs, students, academics within the biotech & life science field, industry representatives, politicians, policymakers, stakeholders, and friends of ShareLab. We are closing in on 300 participants,  are you coming?

Prime Minister Erna Solberg will do the opening address. In addition, selected ShareLab members give insights on biotech topics, guided lab-tours, SPARK Norway Pitch Challenge, vertically farmed salads and herbs from ShareLab member Omnicibus, and the official ShareLab Afterparty where we serve lab-brewed ShareBEER accompanied by DJ Ome!

ShareLab kick-off will take place at ShareLab, Oslo Science Park. For sign-up and full program, visit our registration site here

How does ShareLab work?
ShareLab is a membership community providing a complete range of biotech innovation services. This includes access to a fully equipped and managed lab, with workbenches and special functions rooms, shared office space, as well as social areas. Professional staff manage the laboratory so that our members can concentrate on their r&d. ShareLab is open for all companies and researchers working within biotech and life sciences seeking lab facilities and a stimulating environment. High impact innovation startups have priority.

News

Bio-Me: Kartlegger bakteriene dine

Intervju med Morten Isaksen

Bio-Me: Kartlegger bakteriene dine

Bio-Me AS er et norsk biotech-selskap som bygger på 20 års forskning innen bakterieidentifisering. Forskningen har gitt opphav til flere patenter og nye fremgangsmåter innen bakterieanalyse. Bio-Me konsentrer driften rundt analyseverktøyet GutCheck™, sammen med stor tilgang på tarmfloraprøver og avansert databehandling for å avdekke nye sammenhenger mellom livsstil, genetikk og bakterieflora.
Av: Iselin H. Wood
Publisert: 02.02.2018
iselin(a)sharelab.no
Morten Isaksen

Morten Isaksen fra Tollnes, Skien, er daglig leder for Bio-Me, og har en doktorgrad i bioteknologi. Han har tidligere drevet forskningsarbeid i Forskningsparken, og er glad for å være tilbake i kjente, men nye omgivelser på ShareLab.

-Hvorfor begynte du å jobbe med analyse av bakterieflora i mage og tarm?

-Det var etter at jeg hadde flyttet tilbake til Norge fra England. Jeg begynte å jobbe som konsulent på Forskningsparken i Oslo og ved Bioparken Ås. Det dukket opp et patent som endte opp ute på Ås; det dreide seg om en metode for å påvise mange forskjellige bakterier i en løsning. Tarmbakterier begynte så vidt å bli kjent innen forskning på det tidspunktet, så vi grep fatt i det. 

 

-Hva skjedde videre?

-Vi bygget opp et selskap, Genetic Analysis og flyttet det fra Ås til Oslo. Senere sluttet jeg der, og jobbet egentlig innenfor helt andre felter i en periode – men jeg klarte ikke å «slippe» dette med tarmanalyse, og følte at det fortsatt var mange spennende muligheter igjen å utnytte!  Derfor ble BIO-ME etablert som selskap i mai 2016. Over våren og sommeren 2017 utviklet konseptet seg videre, og da var det behov for en laboratorieplass – og nå sitter vi i ShareLab.

 

-Hva driver deg til å fortsette å gjøre det du gjør? Hva er drømmen?

-Det er to ting: Man ønsker å «make a difference», man ønsker å bidra - også ønsker man å tjene masse penger! Hovedsaken er at vi kan bidra med noe som ikke andre gjør – om ikke vi gjør det, er det ikke sikkert det blir gjort i det hele tatt!

 

-Hvorfor vil du sitte i ShareLab? Hva håper du ShareLab kan gi Bio-Me?

-Jeg hadde i løpet av sommeren og høsten behov for laboratorieplass, så det var jo perfekt timing for meg at ShareLab kom på plass! Også er det jo et flott og funksjonelt lokale. Man får et miljø med andre som jobber i relaterte felter, og som man kan utveksle erfaringer med. Det er også veldig greit at man har en infrastruktur som tar hånd om risikoavfall, HMS og alt av praktiske ting. Den praktiske infrastrukturen er jo viktig for oss, for det er altfor stor jobb å bygge opp alt det i et lite selskap.

 

-Hva har vært Bio-Me sin største utfordring til nå?

-Det er først og fremst finansiering. Ting går veldig fort, så tilgang på kapital i en tidligfase er viktig for å få etablert seg i markedet. I tillegg er Norge nesten et u-land når det gjelder tankegang rundt og bruk av tarmbakterieanalyse. En ting er at vi har et mindre fagmiljø å samarbeide med, men det påvirker også finansieringen - når jeg snakker med investorer er det ingen som vet mye om dette. Det å ligge foran har sine fordeler og ulemper.

 

-Hva er det beste med å jobbe med Bio-Me?

-Det er veldig gøy å jobbe med sin «passion» og det man liker å gjøre!

 

-Hva synes du om fasilitetene til ShareLab? 

-Det er et flott, åpent og lyst, trivelig og ikke minst funksjonelt – fasilitetene er utmerket!

Sharelab