Research: Interview: Economy

1/2004 2

RESEARCH: ESTONIAN RESEARCHER’S DISCOVERY HELPS TO FIGHT VISION IMPAIRMENT INTERVIEW: NOVEL CHIP TECHNOLOGY PAVED THE WAY FOR RESEARCHERS FROM TARTU ECONOMY: LACTOBACILLUS DISCOVERED IN ESTONIA MAKES DAIRY PRODUCTS HEALTHY C0NTENTS

BIOTECHNOLOGY TALLINN UNIVERSITY 5 OF TECHNOLOGY TAKES RISKS PROMOTING NEW TECHNOLOGIES A new building of natural sciences in Mustamäe campus will be completed in 2004. By Õnne Pärl

ESTONIAN RESEARCHER’S DISCOVERY 7 HELPS TO FIGHT VISION IMPAIRMENT An Estonian gene researcher Rando Allikmets’s research ECONOMY group discovered the secret of the ABCR gene. Mutation in ANDRES KOERN SAYS: MAKING this gene can cause AMD, the most common eye disease in 17 A CLEAN SWEEP IS UNTHINKABLE the world. By Õnne Pärl Through gradual development Põltsamaa Felix has become one of the largest foodstuff producers in Estonia. By Taivo Paju ESTONIANS HOPE 10 TO FIND CURE FOR CANCER THE ONLY DRAWBACK IN ESTONIA Success-stories of two Estonian biotechnology companies. 18 IS ITS COLD CLIMATE By Tiit Efert Interview with Meelis Atonen, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications. By Taivo Paju

LACTOBACILLUS DISCOVERED IN ESTONIA 19 MAKES DAIRY PRODUCTS HEALTHY A scientific discovery may be developed into an attractive ÄR product. By Õnne Pärl

ESTONIANS EXPORTED 21 M-PARKING TO NORWAY The largest Estonian mobile connection operator launched the mobile parking pilot project in Oslo. By Raul Kalev PHENOMENA SOOMAA: WATER EVERYWHERE 22 In Soomaa national park there is also a fifth season – the flood season. By Monica Sikk CULTURE PRIIT PÄRN – FATHER OF THE ESTONIAN 24 SCHOOL OF ANIMATED FILMS Animator has won more than 40 different international prizes. INTERVIEW By Tambet Kaugema NOVEL CHIP TECHNOLOGY PAVED THE 13 WAY FOR RESEARCHERS FROM TARTU Andres Metspalu, Professor of biotechnology at the CONTACT University of Tartu, is known as the co-inventor of DNA ESTONIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY chip technology. By Õnne Pärl 26 COMPANIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES Activities for building up knowledge-based economy have started in Estonia

Knowledge-based economy is one of the top priorities of the present government, as stated in the strategic document “Estonian Suc- cess 2014”. In reality, however, the creation of a knowledge-based economy is similar to the old legend about Tallinn according to which the construction of the city must not ever be completed. Several state support measures have already been launched and many of them are being prepared. During 2004-2006 the government allocates more than EUR 60 million for the support to enhance Estonia`s competitiveness. This spring one of the most extensive measures – Technology Competence Centers – was launched to support the creation of consortiums including at least one research and development institution (university, research institute, etc) and three

companies. KAAREL TAMRE The aim of the program is to finance such Population applied research, that companies or research institutions cannot afford on their own. Consortiums had in the Baltic to map their common interests and work out a busi- ESTONIA AS ness plan. In this way the state promotes collabora- Sea Region INFORMATION SOCIETY tion between researchers and entrepreneurs. * 47% of population Another large-scale program is the so-called use Internet & Internet ÄRIPÄEV national venture capital fund. The government has Main facts: banking Population: 1 356 000 (01.01.2003) * 38% of population decided to set up a national venture capital fund to provide venture have a computer at capital for innovative projects that the Estonian financial market is not Capital: Tallinn (435 000) home (71% of home willing to finance. The fund will act on the principle of partnership: Area: 45 000 sq. km (i.e. 1521 islands) computers connected to for example if the private sector invests EUR 1 million, then the state Independence Day: February 24 the Internet) * 77% of the population will provide a matching amount of capital to the project. Currency: kroon (EEK) are mobile phone Another program under way aims to increase innovation-aware- Currency peg: 1EUR = 15.65 EEK subscribers ness. It will also contribute to the renewal of curricula. The distribu- Tax system: 26% flat income tax, * All schools are tion of finances is very transparent and support is allocated on the reinvested corporate profit is tax free; 18% VAT connected to Internet competitive basis. Public order: Parliamentary Democracy * Digital Signature GDP per capita: 5483 EUR (Eesti Pank, 2003) Act in force We are fully aware that established foreign companies do not * Income Tax statements invest in Estonia only because Estonia is a beautiful country. This is GDP growth: 4,7% (Eesti Pank, 2003) submitted by Internet why the priority of the state is to set up such national programs that * e-billing and e-service would stimulate the emergence of modern technology development by major companies * Parking payments and centers and laboratories. Our very first task is to guarantee that History: bus tickets by mobile Estonian people and infrastructure are at the level that enables us 1202–1918 – Estonia invaded by Germans, phone Danes, Swedes, Poles and Russians to participate in international projects or attract foreign investors Source: Estonian Telephone to invest in Estonia. 1918 – The Republic of Estonia was founded Company Elion (2003) We have managed to get moving in this direction. 1940–91 – the Soviet occupation 1991 – Estonia declared its independence * 60% Income Tax statements submitted Raul Malmstein March 29, 2004 – Estonia became a NATO member state by Internet Development Advisor to the Government May 1, 2004 – Estonia became a Source: Estonian Tax European Union member state and Customs Board (2004)

The Estonian Biotech magazine is Estonian Genome Foundation Riia 23, Director Mustamäe tee 5, Tallinn 10616, published in cooperation with the Estonian Tartu 51010, Estonia, tel. +372 56 469 494 Estonia, tel. +372 6 259494 Genome Foundation and the Director man- Coordinator: Rain Eensaar agement magazine. [email protected] Editor: Õnne Pärl [email protected] Financed by Enterprise Estonia Designer: Andres Rõhu Cover illustration by Lauri Järvlepp ISSN 1736-0609

2004 HHMI CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE IN ESTONIA A conference of the largest US private fund for medical research, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), will take place in Tallinn on June 23-26, 2004. The aim of the conference is to pro- mote contacts and collaboration between HHMI scholars. According to Jill Cornley, the HHMI Director of International Programs, the institute chose to hold the meeting in Estonia to acknowledge the high quality of the science being conducted there. “We are proud of the research conducted by our four Estonian Scholars, and want to highlight the importance of their research environment in their success,” said Cornley. EESTI GEENIVARAMU About 200 scientists are expected to participate, and half of In this tube a thin them will also contribute a presentation which will be selected thread is forming – this 10,000 GENE DONORS HAVE JOINED by the organizing committee from all abstracts obtained. Priit is DNA, the separa- Kogerman, an organizer on behalf of Estonia, says that among tion of which from the nuclei of white THE ESTONIAN GENOME PROJECT others it will be possible to listen to an open lecture delivered by blood cells is almost By the end of 2003, about 10,000 gene donors had joined the the President of the HHMI, winner of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, complete. Estonian Genome Project. There are nearly 300 data collectors, Thomas Cech. and the project covers 12 counties out of 15. Collection of the Estonian scholars Maia Kivisaar, Priit Kogerman, Jaanus data of voluntary gene donors started in October 2002. Remme and Mart Ustav will also present the results of their work. The underlying idea of the Estonian Genome Project is the Four Estonian Scholars were awarded a new round of grants establishment of the database containing the phenotype and over five years in 2001. The HHMI has awarded 46 biomedical genotype data of the Estonian population with the objective of researchers from nine countries of the Baltics, Central and Eastern carrying out scientific research and genetic and health studies Europe and the former Soviet Union. in order to find the genes that cause and influence common The previous HHMI conference took place in Australia in the diseases. summer of 2002. The conference in 2003 was planned to take www.geenivaramu.ee place in Tallinn but had to be cancelled due to the war in Iraq. The next one will probably take place in HHMI headquarters QUATTROMED LAUNCHES near Washington.

NEW PRODUCT CATALOGUE Quattromed Ltd. provides a comprehensive set of Quattromed is launching a new product catalogue providing molecular tools for protein expression and a comprehensive set of molecular tools for protein-protein protein-protein interaction studies. interaction studies. The catalogue includes more than 150 different articles belonging to the product families of the E2tag, mammalian TAP-system, mammalian two- hybrid system and antibodies. These products provide added value and support to the custom services offered by Quattromed to the European biotechnology market. The backbone of the new product family is an E2tag, which has been developed by Quattromed`s scientists. The new selection includes different affinity chromatography resins, antibodies, vectors, cell lines, etc. Quattromed`s E2tag products are applicable in mammalian, bacterial, yeast and plant cells. The products are also listed in the Fermentas and Abcam catalogues, and distributed by Abcam Inc. and Novus Biologicals worldwide. All products are manufac- tured according to GLP requirements and provided with a quality certificate and user manual. MED TTRO www.quattromed.com QUA

4 BIOTECH ESTONIA RESEARCH Tallinn University of Technology takes risks promoting new The recently taken new name of Tallinn University of Technology technologies (which replaced the former Tallinn Technical University) is not merely a formal one. On the contrary, the higher educational institution regards the development of new THE NATURAL SCIENCES technologies as its priority. BUILDING OF THE TALLINN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY WILL HOUSE TWO TECHNO LOGY DEVELOPMENT CENTERS. Founded in 1918, it was formerly The primary focus of the cancer known for preparing various techni- research development center is col- cal specialists. Now the new Faculty of laboration in developing and imple- Sciences plays a very important role in menting a new technological plat- addition to the faculties of engineering form for early diagnoses of cancer sciences. as well as joint applied research into According to Peep Sürje, the university`s developing a new generation of can- vice rector in charge of development, the cer drugs. The partners of the TTU basis for the natural sciences – especially are the Institute of Chemical and taking into account such quickly develop- Biological Physics, Northern Estonian ing key areas as bio and gene technology Regional Hospital, Estonian Biocen- – is becoming more and more essential. By tre, University of Tartu, the Institute MARIA RÕHU of Biotechnology of the University of the autumn of 2004, a new building of natu- A new building of natural sciences in the Mustamäe campus. ral sciences in Mustamäe campus will be Helsinki, ProSyntest Ltd., Kevelt Ltd., completed. The whole undertaking involved many times, despite the fact that the space of CeleCure Ltd., InBio Llc., CeMines Inc. a huge risk: a research establishment has the new building is 7,000 sq m. and Trial Form Support AB. never been established in Estonia where a The director of the Department of Gene The primary focus of the of the construction firm itself finances the building Technology, Erkki Truve, admits with a smile food and fermentation technology project and the university pays by install- that for some time already he has felt more development center is the devel- ments for using it. like an average construction engineer than a opment of automated equipment The departments of chemistry and gene professor of biology: plans are under way to and technology for studying and technology as well as four spin-off compa- build a new incubator for spin-off companies. constructing the cellular metabolism nies will be working under the same roof, He is looking forward to the autumn when as well as implementation of this among them Celecure, dealing with cancer the chemists and biologists will have a pos- equipment for optimizing environ- research, Protobios, studying gene regula- sibility for closer communication and expects mental-biotechnological and food tion in tumors, Mikrolabor, preparing cul- this collaboration to provide new possibilities production processes. The partners tures media for microbiological analysis and for developing novel drugs. Although there are Kalev Ltd., Proekspert Ltd., Bioexpert, dealing with foodstuffs and envi- are several companies developing drugs in Bioexpert Ltd., the Institute ronmental technology. The number of those Estonia, it is Kevelt Ltd., operating here in the of Food and the TTU. interested in renting the rooms exceeded Mustamäe campus, which has been able to that of the lucky ones mentioned above by enter the market with its own products.

BIOTECH ESTONIA 5 RESEARCH

Technology Development Centers are organizations established in collaboration with enterprises and research institutions financed by Enterprise Estonia. The aim of the measure is to support long-term strategic cooperation in market-oriented research and development. PM/SCANPIX Enterprise Estonia received Professor Erkki Truve, Director of the Institute of Gene 14 high-level applications In addition to the academic atmosphere and Technology, researcher of plant genetics, hopes that after a new building has been opened he will have more time for involving a total of 70 compa- not less important non-academic contacts, research. Estonian oat growing in the hotbed. nies, 50 research and develop- Erkki Truve also considers the opportunity ment organizations and 10 to share expensive devices as a great plus. In been the director of the Institute of Biotechnology other organizations. the Estonian economic conditions it is not of the University of Helsinki since 1990. The four-month evaluation process involved 27 interna- reasonable for every department (or small An urgent need for new researchers and the tional experts and 7 manage- company) to buy devices that cost millions wish to develop gene technology more extensively ment consultants who recom- but which are needed only once a month. beyond academic research laboratories were the mended Enterprise Estonia to For decades, the most successful in reasons for including gene technology in the cur- start financing negotiations Estonia both in regard to research achieve- ricula of Tallinn University of Technology in 1997. with six consortiums. The new Technology ments and numbers have been molecular Today, molecular biologists from Tallinn can boast Development Centers include: biologists – biotechnologists, related to the of several stipend winners from a number of well- cancer research, food and fer- University of Tartu. This phenomenon can known funds: Associate Professor Priit Koger- mentation technology, nanote- be explained by historical development: biol- mann of University of Technology was awarded chnology, Estonian language ogy has been taught in Tartu since the 19th a stipend by the largest American private fund for technology, healthy dairy products, and electronics, informa- century and genes have been investigated medical research, HHMI, as well as by one of the tion and mass communication since the 1960`s. most important benefactors of biomedicine, the technology. Today, the molecular biologists from the Wellcome Trust. Enterprise Estonia, the Tallinn University of Technology and the According to the Institute of Scientific Infor- national support system for Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophys- mation, Professor Tõnis Timmusk of the TUT entrepreneurship in Estonia, provides EUR 3,1 million to ics are highly competitive. The laboratory of is the most commonly cited molecular biologist the Technology Development molecular genetics established twenty years residing in Estonia. The management of the TUT Centers in 2004. The total ago at the independent Institute of Chemical hopes that the highly qualified team-leaders of budget for the years 2004-2006 Physics and Biophysics has been a hotbed for international renown will attract Estonian scien- is about EUR 19,3 million. several young researchers. When the Soviet tists to return to work in their native country. regime collapsed and the borders opened, Both Peep Sürje and Erkki Truve feel proud the staff decreased drastically, with half of that the natural sciences building will house two the employees leaving to work abroad, e.g. technology competence centers, one for cancer the founder of the laboratory, neurobiologist research and another for food and fermentation Mart Saarma went to Finland where he has technologies. ■ By Õnne Pärl

6 BIOTECH ESTONIA BIOTECHNOLOGY Estonian researcher’s discovery helps to fight vision impairment

The name of Rando Allikmets became known in the scientific community worldwide in 1997 after Science published an article about the relationship of the ABCR gene and age-related vision loss. The public’s interest is perfectly justified – it is estimated that in the US alone there are about 11 million people suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). It was an Estonian gene researcher, Rando Allikmets, whose research group discovered the secret of the ABCR gene.

Rando Allikmets has always wanted to become a biologist. Perhaps due to his youthfully obsti- nate character, he did not like the idea of studying in the University of Tartu under the supervision of his farther who, at that time, happened to be the dean of the Medical Faculty. Instead, he entered Moscow State University to study virology. Today, Rando Allikmets praises his education from Moscow as outstanding and compares it in good confidence to Harvard or Yale. The strength of the curriculum was its compulsory nature – having no choice – of the highly demanding courses. In addition, the university brought together the best PRIVATE COLLECTION researchers from all over the Soviet Union. After Rando Allikmets, the graduation (magna cum laude), Allikmets stayed in Biophysics, invited him back to Estonia, the young head of the Laboratory of Medical Genetics Moscow and received his PhD from the Institute of researcher decided to return to his home country. at the Edward S. Hark- Bio-organic Chemistry in 1988. Nevertheless, the period in Tallinn remained rela- ness Eye Institute at Although Allikmets spent 10 years in Russia, his tively short. The person to “blame” was an American Columbia University. ties with Estonia remained strong. He was frequently professor who visited the lab in 1988. The principal visited by young Estonian molecular biologists, who investigator, Michael Dean of the US National Cancer have by now become top-level researchers. When Institute, recalls: “Rando was my host on that trip and Mart Saarma, the director of the Laboratory of Molec- I was very impressed with his scientific accomplish- ular Genetics at the Institute of Chemical Physics and ments and his personality.”

BIOTECH ESTONIA 7

ANDRES RÕHU BIOTECHNOLOGY

A few years later, Michael Dean, who had opened hereditary disease that causes deterioration of the his own lab at the National Cancer Institute, invit- eye’s central vision. ed the Estonian researcher to work with him. This AMD – which causes a partial loss of sight – is collaboration laid a solid foundation to numerous the most common eye disease in the world. In the US research articles and, last but not least, alone there are an estimated 11 million AMD patients. to a friendship. Since AMD only strikes people of old age, and taking In the beginning, they targeted can- into account the aging population of the world, it is cer genes. Soon the focus of the research clear how important it is to fight the disease. turned to the ABC transporter gene fam- When Rando Allikmets and his colleagues pub- ily. The best-known representatives of lished their work on ABCR gene mutations in 1997, this gene family inhibit cancer treatment he surprisingly ended up in the limelight of the media: by transporting cancer drugs out of the in addition to the publication in Science, his lab was “Rando Allikmets is a very cell. The main research project turned shown on CNN and the New York Times published a intelligent, creative and hard- out to be the analysis of the entire human feature article. Today, there is much more information working person. Scientific ABC gene family: cloning and functional available about ABCR functions: the mouse model, research requires a mixture of those talents for success. Be- analysis of the new genes. By the middle which mimics the course of the human disease sur- ing smart and designing of the 1990’s, there were about 10 known prisingly well, has been used in many experiments. the right experiments is ABC genes, and today the number has Since 1999, Rando Allikmets has been the head important. Being creative in already reached 50. About 2/3 of the of the Laboratory of Medical Genetics at the Edward knowing how to interpret genes have been discovered by Rando S. Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia University. His unexpected results and how to move ahead is important. Allikmets’ group. The ABCR gene has current main research interest is in macular disease And hard work is important.” delivered the most recognition to the genetics in general. However, as the discoverer of the researcher. ABCR gene he is continuing his research on this gene, Michael Dean, principal Although there are several ABC genes aiming at determining the role of specific mutations investigator of the National involved in the functioning of the eye, in the disease. His laboratory collaborates closely with Cancer Institute’s Laboratory of Genomic Diversity only two genes are known to be directly Asper Biotech, an Estonian company with whom linked to retina degeneration: one of they developed a gene chip capable of determining them is the ABCR gene and the other is the ABCC6 all ABCR mutations in a Stargardt’s patient in one gene, which is responsible for a rare disease. simple procedure. Why is there so much talk about the ABCR gene? At the same time, treatments are being developed Mutation in this gene can cause Stargardt’s Disease for diseases caused by ABCR mutations: for example, and AMD. Stargardt’s Disease is a relatively common by trying to correct ABCR gene mutations through

HOW ARE MUTATIONS IN THE ABCR GENE the “wet” form (ca 10% of cases) causes RELATED TO MACULAR DISEASES? a 90% loss of sight. AMD is largely an untreatable dis- Every person has two copies of each disease is relatively common: it affects ease, particularly the “dry” form. It is gene, including the ABCR gene. one in 10,000 people. possible to use laser surgery in only about ten percent of patients. 2. AMD The disease is very common: it 1. Stargardt’s Disease Rando Allikmets showed that a person affects one in 20 people; in persons Stargardt’s Disease occurs when both is 2-5 times more probable to develop over the age of 75 it affects one in three copies of the ABCR gene are mutated. AMD if he carries one copy of the people. Stargardt’s Disease causes a person to mutated ABCR gene. White elderly people (over the age lose central vision at a young age. There There are two types of AMD: the of 60) in developed countries are most is currently no available treatment. The “dry” form causes a partial loss of sight; susceptible

8 BIOTECH ESTONIA BIOTECHNOLOGY

Keynote speaker of the Gene Forum 2003, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine in 1996, Professor of immunology at the University of Zurich, Rolf Zinkernagel (left) in discussion with Professor Andres POSSIBLE TREATMENTS Metspalu of the University of Tartu. for Stargardt’s Disease and AMD, developed from the knowledge of ABCR functions: 1. Stimulating gene expression by gene therapy Professor Rando Allikmets’ lab attempts to insert a normal, non-mutated ABCR gene into the retina. The gene is delivered via a virus. Even if the normal copy will function only partially, it is hoped that it will still delay the progression of the disease.

2. Slowing the visual cycle using small-molecule drugs The eye is induced with a vitamin A derivative. The visual cycle will slow down, reducing the damage from ABCR mutations. gene therapy. Although the function of ABC genes is complicated, thus rendering the development of a drug a difficult task, tremendous advances have been made in the treatment of AMD. Rando Allikmets believes that there will be some kind of treatment GEENIKESKUS available for vision impairment resulting from ABCR mutations in a couple of years. FIFTH INTERNATIONAL Although the Estonian professor agrees that sci- GENE FORUM 2004 entific research often depends on chance and luck, he A high-level scientific conference and exhibition on genet- insists that one should never underestimate consist- ics and genomics – Gene Forum 2004 – will be held on ency. Therefore, he believes that he will most likely September 17–18, 2004 in Tartu, Estonia be working in a similar field – still at Columbia Uni- As in previous years, the conference will bring together versity – in five years, as well. molecular biologists, geneticists, clinicians and students studying in the field to debate advances in biomedical Working far from home, it is very important to research. Gene Forum 2004 focuses on interdisciplinary have the support of his immediate family – his wife, areas within the genomics and genetics of complex dis- daughter and son – living in America. In support eases, genetic epidemiology, and commercial applications of this, Allikmets lists his experience from his first of this information aimed at the development of new drugs scientific visit to the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and therapies for diseases. The forum will also continue discussions on the ethical and legal aspects of biomedical where he was working alone for months. research. “When I began as a postdoc, it felt as if I was This major event in the Baltics provides an excellent working nonstop, from early morning till late at night. opportunity to establish and renew contacts in the region. I thought that this would change with time, but actu- This will be the fifth annual conference organized by the ally the workload has continuously grown,” chuckles Estonian Genome Foundation in Tartu. The four previous conferences have attracted each year more than 450 life Allikmets. scientists, clinicians, healthcare officials and business repre- It’s really no wonder: in addition to doing research sentatives, mainly from Estonia and neighboring countries, and heading the laboratory, starting this year, he in addition to a large number of students of the University assumed the duties of the Scientific Director of the of Tartu. Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia Uni- www.geneforum.ee versity. ■ By Õnne Pärl

BIOTECH ESTONIA 9 BIOTECHNOLOGY

Estonians hope to find

cure for cancer CELECURE

Celecure, an Estonian biotechnology company, The new generation of cancer drugs is different from is developing new generation anti-cancer the previous ones, because they are cancer cell-specific, drugs. According to Tarmo Kivi and Andres i.e. they have an effect only on cancer cells. Classical Valkna, managers of the company, this could drugs have strong side-effects on the whole body, e.g. become a breakthrough in world medicine. people suffer from hair-loss after radiation treatment as the treatment destroys cells of the hair root. The effect of lead compound CC0101 has been shown in animal tests. However, as the immune It is too early for rejoicing, because a lot of work system of animals is slightly different from that of has yet to be done and some luck is also needed. humans, the effect on people might be different as Several anti-cancer projects are underway in the well. Thus, there is a good chance but no guarantee, laboratory. The closest to the market is drug project and the final results will only be available in a few CC0101, which is less than two years from clinical years after clinical trials. Before that, it is necessary trials. It is a new generation anti-cancer compound to perform toxicological and dose-efficacy studies that should inhibit tumor growth in the body. under the preclinical program.

10 BIOTECH ESTONIA BIOTECHNOLOGY

Creation of novel drug can- didates by manual solid phase peptide synthesis.

Celecure’s core competence lies within the pre-clinical growth of blood vessels feeding the tumor and thus studies, with excellent expertise in molecular biology, inhibits the development of cancer. biochemistry, immunology, etc. After pre-clinical The success of Celecure stems from its focus on studies, Celecure will be looking for partners who cancer drugs, and it is natural, as the researchers who are interested in buying or licensing the developed established the company had previously been working intellectual property or product. Ideal partners would in the same field. It is possible that the technologies be pharmaceutical companies with resources and developed by the company will be successfully applied experience in clinical trials and marketing products. to fight other diseases as well. The company Regarding compound CC0101, it is planned to launch has, in addition to five doctors of natural partnership negotiations with pharmaceutical com- sciences, its own scientific board of inter- panies as early as 2004. nationally-renowned scientists to monitor * The main fields of In cancer research animal experiments are usu- the course of the projects. activity of Celecure ally performed on rodents. Celecure uses specially Celecure works in close cooperation (established in 2002) are drug discovery and pre- bred mice of United States or European origin. Every with the company Inbio. The two compa- clinical studies of new experiment involves up to 50 mice with transplanted nies have the same owners and they also anti-cancer drugs. Inbio tumors, which have a novel drug administered to share the same managing director, Tarmo (established in 1999) provides peptide synthe- eliminate the tumor. Kivi. sis and custom antibody Celecure is developing in several directions but Inbio provides peptide synthesis and services. * In 2003, Celecure its common aim is to fight cancer. One of the cur- custom poly- and monoclonal antibody signed loan and grant rent projects is the development of cell membrane- services to clients involved in research and contracts (1.1 million EUR) with Enterprise penetrating antibody technology, which makes it development. The main focus is on exports: Estonia to develop the possible to insert such antibodies into the cell that the world demand for the service is suf- CC0101 project during the next 3 years. would recognize and eliminate cancer-specific pro- ficient, the quality is excellent and prices * Inbio signed loan and teins inside the cell, and, as a result would cause the are competitive. Despite all that organizing grant contracts with Enterprise Estonia (0.5 death of the cancer cell. The same technology could sales is tough because habit plays an impor- million EUR) to develop be applied to develop a new generation of drugs for tant role in ordering laboratory services. It cell-penetrating antibody technology during the almost all types of cancer. is difficult to persuade potential clients to next 3 years. Another compound that is under development change their existing suppliers. * Celecure and Inbio RE are among the four inhibits the growth of blood vessels. Cancer, due to Inbio is also continuing to expand its companies which will its rapid and uncontrollable growth, needs sufficient activities in the field they once started– soon move into the new quantities of blood. The new compound restricts the importing supplies and devices for labo- biosciences building of the Tallinn University of ratories. Technology. Experimental conditions are under strict control. Managing director Tarmo Kivi, a university graduate in economics, considers the educational basis for biotechnology offered in Estonia sufficiently good. His target for the next few years is to build up on the basis of the two companies a top-level biotechnology company with about 50 employees. Many top Estonian biotechnologists have moved to Europe or the US and he intends to persuade them to return to their native country. It is not an easy task as the offer he makes should be as good as the conditions they have while working abroad. ■ By Tiit Efert

CELECURE

BIOTECH ESTONIA 11 NEWS

ASPER BIOTECH AND QUINTILES ESTONIA TARGET PHARMACOGENOMICS AND PERSONALIZED MEDICINE In five years, Asper has evolved from a small enterprise that produces Genorama gene analysis detectors into a full-service company. Now, Asper is transforming itself from a technology-oriented service-company into an application provider for the biomedical industry. The large panel of application also includes pharmacogenomics – the discipline that seeks to use human DNA sequence information to design and prescribe therapeutics. Quintiles is the world`s leading clinical research organization ASPER BIOTECH and has experience in drug development, in particular in design Asper Biotech: microarray production for DNA analysis. and management of clinical trials. Asper`s technological know- how combined with the expertise of Quintiles Estonia in clinical programmes. With regard to the FP5, the whole programme practice has led to excellent cooperation. The pharmacogenomic was opened to participation for the first time. tests to be developed by Asper Biotech will be implemented The FP5 offered new opportunities for cooperation, experi- by Quintiles in the late phases of studies to characterize drug ence and possibilities for international recognition of Estonian efficacy in different patients. These pharmacogenomic studies research and development institutions and enterprises. Interna- will expand the current efficacy screens and act as quantitative tional cooperation in research, development and innovation is reference data in reflecting the potential of a particular drug in an important additional resource for a small country with limited the population of interest. resources, and it provides the possibility to take advantage of www.asperbio.com scientific infrastructure at the international level. Estonia participated very actively in the work of the programme. By November 2002, Estonian researchers and engineers On 30 June 1632, ESTONIA HAS BEEN RELATIVELY SUCCESS had participated in 809 project applications. There were 195 the King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden signed the FUL IN THE EU FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES successful projects (24,1%). Such indicators as per capita income Foundation Decree of Estonia was the first candidate country to be associated with showed Estonia as one of the most successful candidate countries Academia Dorpatensis the 5th Framework Programme (1998–2002) from May 1999. and the success rate was close to the average indicator of the alias Tartu University . Estonian scientists had already gained some experience from Biology has been taught member states. This above all demonstrated the high potential of in Tartu since the participation in the EU Framework Programmes since 1993, Estonian researchers and experience in international cooperation 19th century. starting with the PECO, COPERNICUS and INCO-COPERNICUS in the fields of biosciences, medical sciences and environmental sciences. Partners of Estonian institutions were mostly from Scandinavian countries. The list of coordinators of the Estonian partners was headed by Great Britain and Germany. Two main research centres have developed in Estonia – Tallinn and Tartu – from where 94.4% of the applications came. Tartu was more successful in the implementation of projects in the areas of natural sciences and health care, and Tallinn in the areas of information society and energy. By now, the negotiations of the projects submitted in the first call of the FP6-2002-LifeSiHealth (closed in March 2003) are underway. If we take a look at the participation of the new EU members starting from May 2004, then the most project applications that have been placed over the threshold include partners from Poland (31), Hungary (27) and the Czech Republic (23) – the first three are followed by Estonia with 12 projects (Latvia 1, Lithuania 2). Projects in the negotiation phase include 7 applications with Estonian partners (Poland 19, Hungary 15, the Czech Republic 10, Lithuania 1). The average success rate of the call was 22,7% of the projects on the priority list. Altogether there were 33 applications with Estonian partners, of which 21,2% or 7 were on the priority list, 15,1% or 5 on the reserve list and 21 projects did not pass the threshold. Successful Estonian partners include the Estonian Biocentre, the University of Tartu, Asper Biotech, Tartu Biotech-

KARIN TOHVRI nology Park and the Estonian Health Insurance Fund.

12 BIOTECH ESTONIA INTERVIEW

Novel chip technology paved the way for researchers from Tartu

Andres Metspalu, Professor of biotechnology at the University of Tartu, is well-known in Estonia. Some years ago he became one of the founders of the Estonian Genome Project (about ten thousand Estonians have already provided tissue samples and health information). For Estonians his name is related with the genome project but the scientific world knows him as the co-inventor of DNA chip technology.

Professor Metspalu, what is a DNA chip? Let us fix thousands of synthetic DNA fragments to a piece of glass (microscope glass slide as it is used in any school microscope). Tens of thousands of synthetic DNA fragments (oligonucleotides) can be immobilized on one glass slide. Synthetic DNA does not principally differ from the natural single-stranded DNA. The idea of a DNA chip is similar to a computer chip, only instead of thousands of transistors we have thousands of pieces of DNA. The chip is based on the principle of DNA complementarity discovered by Crick and Watson more than 50 years ago: A is paired Professor of biotechnology of the University of Tartu, with T and C is paired with G. If the chip has, for Andres Metspalu, founder of the idea of the Estonian example, 5000 immobilized oligonucleotides then we national gene bank, introduces the Estonian Genome

Project Foundation’s laboratory to the Estonian journalists. PM/SCANPIX are able to control 5000 nucleotides in the genome of a person and find out whether he or she has a mutation or not. The problem is, of course, that in many cases THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF DNA CHIPS: there is no therapy yet for inherited diseases.

DNA is synthesized directly on the chip. Such chips were first How did the idea of chips strike you? used by the US company Affymetrix. When the Human Genome Project was launched in Previously synthesized DNA fragments are placed on the 1991, I started working in the field of human genetics. chip. Andres Metspalu is the co-inventor of such chips; the patent Before that, my interest was fundamental molecular belongs to the US company Amersham Pharmacia Biotech. biology, studying the structure and function of a

BIOTECH ESTONIA 13 INTERVIEW

ribosome – the “protein factory” of a cell. Being a financed the research carried out in the US) and physician, I have always been interested in applying published an article. After returning to Estonia I molecular biology in the study of diseases. When I initiated the DNA-chip research here. began studying molecular biology in the 1970’s, my Later we also established a company, Asper Bio- first professor, Artur Lind, said that we would prob- tech, to commercialize the research and developed ably not be able to apply this knowledge during our the Genorama device for reading the chip. lifetime. At that time, one could not imagine that in a couple of decades molecular biology would become How quickly does the chip provide a result? a reality in everyday medicine. Before DNA chip technology, the study of mutations In human genetics I became interested in muta- in one gene took several days. It was a rather compli- tions in disease genes. Unfortunately there was no cated procedure. The method used certain enzymes, suitable research method available. We have tens of restrictases (the so-called molecular scissors), which thousands of genes and every gene may have thou- were able to recognize specific locations in DNA and sands of mutations. Mapping them cut it exactly at this site. In case of a one by one would have taken more The DNA-chip will give wrong nucleotide in the sequence, the than our lifetime. I thought a lot about the result in an hour, but method did not work. Then one had the problem and suddenly I had an it is possible to make the to analyze the fragments according to idea how to determine several muta- technology faster. their lengths or to use the polymerase tions simultaneously. I discussed the chain amplification (PCR) technique idea with my colleagues at the university and asked to find the mutations. There are many other tricks one professor I knew in the US whether they were people have invented; however, more and more DNA dealing with a similar problem. In response the pro- chips are being used, since the number of mutations fessor invited me to the US to carry out experiments. is increasing and this is a very cost effective way to In 1993, it was impossible to perform these experi- analyze them all. ments in Estonia as we had neither the money nor The DNA-chip will give the result in an hour, but the Patent Act. it is possible to make the technology faster. I believe This is how I ended up in Houston, where we that when you go to the doctor in ten years’ time and made experiments, patented the invention (the pat- give your blood sample, you will have the result after ent belongs to the pharmaceutical company which your patient record has been updated.

DNA chip (also known as this slide is called a DNA chip. Two single- microarray or gene chip) stranded DNA sequences are complemen- operates on the principle of tary, i.e. they are able to form a perfectly complementarity paired double helix. Thus A always binds with T and C always binds with G. With a special fluorescent scanner For example if we are looking for one is able to read the nucleotides a mutation in a certain location, where that are marked by the letters A, nucleotide A should be in a healthy indi- T, C, G and each of them carries a different vidual, and we see in our assay that T is fluorescent label. A drop of blood is taken added to the immobilized oligonucleotide from a patient, and then a section of the on the DNA chip, then everything is all genomic DNA is amplified into millions of right. However, if we see that C is added, copies and analyzed. it means the patient has the G nucleotide The amplified fragment of DNA is put instead of A, meaning a mutation, which on a microscope glass slide where oligo- can cause a disease. A C G T nucleotides have been immobilized and

14 BIOTECH ESTONIA INTERVIEW

A A a a A a A A a a

B B b b B b B b B b

Recombination is swapping genetic information between a pair of chromosomes: a chromatin from the mother and a chromatin from the father swap fragments.

You were also responsible for launching the gen- Another area in biotechnology that you are dealing otyping laboratory in the International Cancer with is the study of genome structure using SNPs? Research Centre in Lyon. Was that the reason you Chip technology is necessary for the analysis of were given the French science award Prix de la markers. The question is: which markers one should Garantie Médicale et Chirurgicale 2002? analyze? We performed an experiment on human No, I received it after research on the genetic mark- chromosome 22 with our colleagues from England, ers of chromosome 22. In 2003, I was awarded the The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Some haplotype French order Palmes des Académiques, which was blocks turned out to be several hundred thousand probably more for collaboration with France where nucleotides long, but in some locations it was even the Estonian Genome Project undoubtedly had an impossible to see the haplotype blocks. This and the important role to play. similarity of the haplotype block structure between different European populations was a new finding at that time. On the basis of markers it is possible Because of the fact that the genome has millions to predict potential health risks of markers, the question today stands: which markers should be studied in order to obtain valuable infor- One person has nucleotides A and T in a certain location, another has A and C in the same place, mation at a reasonable cost? Hopefully we are able to the third A and G. According to these variations answer this question in 2004. people can be divided into groups. For example, about 50% of the people have the variations of the first person How do we pass on genetic information? mentioned, 25% of the people have similar variations In chromosomes it is possible to distinguish sections to the second person, etc. Finally, less than 1% are very rare exceptions. of different length, so-called haplotype blocks, which Determining these variations on the level of a popu- we pass on to our children. At the moment of ferti- lation, and comparing this information with health data lization, one chromosome from the father and one we can associate some of these haplotype blocks to a from the mother are passed on to our children. On certain health condition, e.g. disease. Analyzing these average once per chromosome a chromosome from haplotypes in one individual we can say that this individual has a higher risk of developing a certain disease the mother and a chromosome from the father swap or has a protective haplotype instead. This information is fragments, thus a part of the chromosome originates always probable and we can never say that something will from the father and another part from the mother. occur with 100% certainty as we can predict in the case of Such a breaking point is called the recombination single gene disorders like cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s point. Disease. To distinguish the variations, one needs only a few markers. It is interesting that between recombination points there are stable areas where there are no major changes,

BIOTECH ESTONIA 15 INTERVIEW

i.e. we pass on information largely in the same way the markers we should be able to find the markers from generation to generation. Hence it has become associated with a disease. In this way we can find the clear that since the time when people migrated from small fragment in the genome where the real reason Africa 70-100,000 years ago – it is a short time in for the disease may be. It needs more work to find the the history of human evolution – the picture has not particular mutation but this is easier than searching changed very much. the whole genome.

How does the research on markers vary between Does the present level of biotechnology enable such different populations? analyzes to be performed? The analysis of markers is different even within the We have all we need concerning the technological races: for example, Europeans are relatively similar, level but there is a strong need to improve the bio- Asian people are a bit different, but Africans are quite informatics side. If 1000 people are analysed, the different. Only a small fraction of African people number of blocks is 150,000. As every block needs migrated out of Africa 70-100 3-5 markers, this means an enormous number of Word explanations 000 years ago and became the combinations. In addition, there is also background forefathers of all the other pop- noise: we need to distinguish between important and Genetic marker – a certain location ulations outside Africa. random signals. in the DNA sequence where peo- We can draw a parallel: if ple have different nucleotides, e.g. one individual has the T nucleotide, you have all kinds of fruit trees Does this mean that informatics plays a great role the other the C nucleotide at the and vegetables in your garden in biotechnology? same site. and you replant only apple and Absolutely. The University of Tartu opened a chair of Genome – whole of genetic material of an organism cherry trees to another garden bioinformatics last year. Not long ago I participated in Genotype – hereditary traits (markers) then this is what you will have a conference on genetics in the US where more than obtained from one’s parents in the second garden. Africa a half of presentations dealt with bioinformatics and Genotyping – analysis of genetic markers was a versatile primary gar- another half with gene technologies. Phenotype – characteristics which den and the rest of the world form in mutual interaction between became the second garden. If What are your plans for the near future? hereditary and environmental fac- tors, e.g. disease we speak about Europe we all Presently, we have reached a breaking point. The next Haplotype – the sequence of markers would probably end up analyz- few months are of decisive importance for Estonian along a chromosome ing the same SNP markers. genome researchers. The question is whether the Mutation – qualitative change of a single gene Estonian Genome Project will be firmly established Nucleotide – the structural unit of If there is a large number of or not. If we do not create the gene bank as planned it DNA. Types: A (adenine), C (cyto- markers what serves as the will not be possible to be internationally competitive. sine), G (guanine), T (thymine) SNP – single nucleotide polymorphism basis for choice? If the Genome Project succeeds, it will guarantee a - a certain kind of marker We try to find the smallest pos- competitive edge for Estonian biomedical research for sible number of markers that many years to come. The gene bank is the same kind would describe one fragment. of “raw material” for gene researchers as forest is for Today, nobody knows which markers one should furniture manufacturers. No forest, no furniture. If in use. There is hope that the HapMap international the near future we are able to increase the number of haplotype map project (in 2004 the first draft map of samples from 10,000 to 100,000 it will be one of the individual genetic variations of humans is expected largest group studied in this way in the world and it to be completed) will provide answers as to which could be intensively analyzed for the next 30 years. SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) one should ■ By Õnne Pärl analyze. If we study cases (individuals with a certain disease) and controls (without disease) and compare

16 BIOTECH ESTONIA ECONOMY

LONGTERM FOREIGN CURRENCY RATINGS FOR ESTONIA MARCH 29, 2004 Fitch IBCA: A-; Outlook Positive Standard & Poor’s: A-; Outlook Positive Moody’s: A1; Outlook Stable

Source: Trigon Capital CEO of Põltsamaa Felix Andres Koern has managed to push the Estonian berry wine industry to a new level in a decade. PM/SCANPIX LARGER FOREIGN INVESTMENTS AND INVESTORS IN ESTONIA: Eesti Telekom AS (Baltic Andres Koern says: making Tele AB/Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas/ Sonera Holding B.V/Telia AB - Sweden/USA/ PM/SCANPIX BALTICS a clean sweep is unthinkable Netherlands/Sweden) Eesti Ühispank (Skandinaviska Enskilda When Andres Koern moved to Estonia and ing of insecurity. It was clearly impossible to achieve Banken – Sweden) Shell Eesti AS (Shell became the head of Põltsamaa Felix canning any results with such workers, and, in order to create Overseas Holding Ltd. - and wine factory, privatized by the Swedish at least some feeling of trust, the new leader made Great Britain) Kunda Nordic Tsement Felix food trust, the welcome was not very the decision which he declared to everybody: no one AS (Atlas-Nordic Cement friendly. Nine years later, the President of the would be forced to go unless they were caught stealing Ltd - Finland) Horizon Tselluloosi Republic awarded him the Order of the White or drinking during work hours. ja Paberi AS (Asean Star for excellent management. Now, years later, Andres Koern still holds to the Interests Ltd./International Finance Corporation - same principle: it is not sensible to make a clean sweep Singapore/USA) and get rid of long-time employees, as one cannot Loksa Laevatehase AS (Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd afford the loss of former generations’ experience. - Denmark) Andres Koern, an Estonian who grew up in Canned food and berry wine have been produced Balti Spoon AS (GHI Group Limited Partnership/ Sweden, moved to the small, picturesque Esto- in Põltsamaa for almost a century. The fact that the Atlantic Veneer Corporation nian town Põltsamaa in 1992, the year when the Russian astronauts used tubes of food developed and - USA/USA) Eesti Ringhäälingu Estonia’s own currency, the kroon, was introduced. produced in Põltsamaa gives an idea about the quality Saatekeskuse AS At first, the atmosphere in the factory was full of of the products. (Telediffusion de France mistrust – nobody knew what the intentions of the It was not easy to carry out the changes as there S.A. - France) Tallinna Vesi AS new owner were. The situation in Estonia was compli- were enormous differences in the thinking of the (International Water UU cated; all the previous rules were suddenly replaced. manager and the employees. The question about phys- - Netherlands) In addition there was a fear of job cuts. ical, moral and legal limits was most disturbing during This was the reality when Andres Koern faced the the initial months. Andres Koern became actively employees for the first time. He still remembers the involved when the tractors owned by the company two hundred frightened eyes reflecting a general feel- were more frequently used in neighboring farms at

BIOTECH ESTONIA 17 ECONOMY

The office of Põltsamaa Felix is located in the historical Vana-Põltsa- maa manorial estate. Until 1920, the building housed a manorial distillery, ox stable and brewery.

continues from previous page weekends than in the company itself during the week. In the former Soviet period, the territory of the company had been like a large fenceless park open to everyone. Now, when an employee took the tractor, the manager took a bike and, pedaling fast, caught up with him and delivered a thorough lecture on the topic of “the difference between personal and PM/SCANPIX company property.” There was a man who did not number of nice-looking business enterprises and understand it until the manager took his jacket, put private houses. it on and walked out of the room. “That’s mine,” Andres Koern has had the same radical effect on cried the man. “I know but I need it at the moment,” the Estonian wine market. While formerly, shamefully answered Andres Koern. The man never used the cheap local wines had low quality, today one of the best tractor without permission again. restaurants in the capital, L’Artiste, offers Põltsamaa Through gradual development Põltsamaa Felix Golden 1991 as an appetizer along with foie gras. has become one of the largest foodstuff producers Põltsamaa is now known as the wine capital of in Estonia. Its products include healthy canned food, Estonia. Wines made from berries and apples, at sauces, jams and wines. The number of fulltime comparable prices with quality French and Spanish employees is 120 and the same number of people wines, have pure taste and color. In addition to wines is additionally recruited during the high season in another new product based on the local raw material summer. has been launched – Fest, a sparkling wine (First Põltsamaa Felix, which belongs to the largest Nor- Estonian Sparkling). dic food-producing group, Orkla Foods, is today the No wonder it is thanks to Andres Koern that the largest local employer and has left its imprint on this Estonian wine industry has reached a new level. He little town on the riverbank. About a decade ago, it is a great expert in the field and one of the few (if was the company that offered a delightful sight by not the only) Estonians who have been awarded the well-cared-for greenery and rejuvenated buildings; title of a Bordeaux knight in France. now, however, one comes across an ever-increasing ■ By Taivo Paju

INTERVIEW Meelis Atonen, Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications: The only drawback in Estonia is its cold climate

>> Which Estonian sector is lacking >> Are continuously rising prices for in foreign investments? energy, fuel and labor affecting Estonia’s com- Estonia is a country with a very open economy. petitiveness in a negative way? Our economic model favors foreign investments. I do not consider the rising prices for fuel or Estonia is currently interested in all kinds of for- energy a huge problem from the point of view eign investments, regardless of the sector. of our competitiveness; in fact, compared to At the same time, it is obvious that sooner or later neighboring countries Estonian price levels is not we will have to decide which investments are very high. Our subcontracting ability is limited the most important for Estonia as a country. Our due to rising labor costs. The state will be sup- resources as a cheap subcontracting country are porting re-training to improve productivity and not and cannot be unlimited, thus the capability the qualitative level of our people. It is quite clear of innovative production is increasingly becom- that if a company produces a hundred wooden

ÄRIPÄEV ing our priority. balls today and the same amount in two years’

18 BIOTECH ESTONIA ECONOMY

Lactobacillus discovered in Estonia makes dairy products healthy

The triumph of the curative lactobacillus ME-3 proves that a scientific discovery may

be developed into an attractive product, well- Research on the known to any schoolboy and elderly lady. positive characteristics of the Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3, published in international scientific journals, discovered the following: The microbe was discovered by the research * ME-3 has protective team of the University of Tartu led by Professor qualities against the causes Marika Mikelsaar, who has studied bacteria for 46 PM/SCANPIX of intestinal infections years. Approximately 700 cultures of lactobacillus Professor Marika Mikelsaar, discoverer of lactobacillus, * ME-3 stabilizes assures that we should not be afraid of microbes: in the micro-flora were collected in cooperation with Estonian and normally functioning micro-flora of a person there are Swedish researchers. far more useful bacteria than harmful. * ME-3 increases resistance to chronic diseases Comparing the species of lactobacilli present in * ME-3 suppresses children the researchers were surprised by the fact an early tolerance to different substances, e.g. natural harmful microbes respon- that the species content of the microflora in Esto- response to harmless pollen. sible for diseases of the nians’ digestive tract was twice as rich as compared In the following stages of the research two bacteria urinary tract to Swedes. According to researchers, this fact was showed especially promising characteristics. By now, * ME-3 possesses high antioxidative activity, attributable for Estonian children having one half one of them, a microbe discovered in the digestive sparing body tissues to one third as many allergies to their more diverse tract of an Estonian child, Lactobacillus fermentum microbe community as Swedes. Microbes cohabiting ME-3, has become the most outstanding discovery in a human being since birth make him or her develop of Tartu microbiologists. Usually the basic effect of

time, then it does not contribute to its ability to based support. However, in such cases we have policy as a whole. And, considering the fact that succeed in international competition, and the used a clear and transparent option of direct we are going to be in the EU as from May 1, there company can’t afford higher salaries, either. In support. I really feel strongly that we have to are no risks in Estonia. this respect the state has set clear priorities. While invest in innovative production. * Our legislation is relatively simple and easy to at present the state provides 0.7% of GDP for grasp. research and development, the aim is to raise the >> Estonia has interested Scandinavian * It is easy to deal with Estonian state institutions. indicator to 1.5% by 2006. investors for years. What would you say to Many state offices, like the Tax and Customs Board, French or the US investors who know next to can be successfully contacted via the Internet. >> In the early 1990’s, there were some tax nothing about Estonia? * The level of corruption is low. exemptions for foreign investors. Now, how- I would say that in Estonia we have one bad fea- * High-quality labor force is our strength and ever, the state has been gradually giving them ture – the cold climate. But our neighbors, the weakness at the same time. There is already a up. Does the present government consider it Finns, have the same problem. We have a lot more high demand for technical engineers. necessary to restore tax benefits? positive characteristics. Just a few examples: * Estonia is covered with mobile networks, the I am quite sure that no tax benefits depending * Our tax climate is friendly and transparent for Internet is widely used, and we have proper on the origin of the capital – be it foreign or entrepreneurs. It is true that in the neighbor- roads and regular air connections to Scandinavia native – are reasonable. If it is clear that a certain hood there are countries with lower income and Central Europe. sector needs support, we could consider sector- tax levels, but one has to consider the taxation ■ Interview by Taivo Paju

BIOTECH ESTONIA 19 ECONOMY

5-year-old Claudia is fond of Hel- lus strawberry-vanilla bio-cottage cheese cream. Bacillus living in the cream protects me from diseases, Claudia states.

Tenderness trademark has been on the market for almost a year. The product family consists of four varieties of bio-yogurt, three varieties of bio-cottage cheese cream, bio- MARIA RÕHU kefir and bio-sour cream. The dairy has plans for enlarging the variety. such so-called pro-biotic bacteria is considered to be The marketing director of Tallinn Dairy Ltd., Anne their capability to fight the causes of disease. Estonian Tääkre, does not hold back praise: according to the LACTOBACILLUS researchers aimed at finding out what useful charac- consumer opinion poll the Tenderness products are FERMENTUM ME3: FROM SCIENTIFIC teristics these good microbes might have in store for more popular than competitors’ products which have DISCOVERY TO INDUSTRY human health. been available for a longer period. The turnover 1996 –University of Tartu researchers discover that Thus it was decided to test the has been higher than expected. two lactobacilli of native usefulness of the ME-3 in human By now, one of them, a microbe The successful marketing of origin surpass all other pro-biotic bacteria as far food and later also in clinics. Enter- discovered in the digestive tract of the product family was listed as good characteristics are prise Estonia allocated 320 000 an Estonian child, Lactobacillus among the best five marketing concerned; euros for the applied research into fermentum ME-3, has become the breakthroughs in 2003. 1997 – tests on animals confirm the good charac- the bacteria’s behavior in cheese, most outstanding discovery of Jane Saatre, marketing man- teristics of the ME-3; yogurt and pharmaceutical cap- Tartu microbiologists. ager of the Institute of Technol- 2000 – tests performed on humans with experimental sules. ogy of the University of Tartu, dairy products containing The first collaboration partner of the University in dealing with the ME-3 patent says the collaboration the ME-3 confirm their positive effect against arte- of Tartu was a small dairy with whom the methods of with Tallinn Dairy Ltd. has progressed smoothly. riosclerosis; application of the ME-3 in cheese were studied. The Today, the health-bacterium is already known 2001–2002 – the university applies for a patent on partner was deliberately chosen to be small as it was outside Estonia. According to Saatre the spread of the the use of the bacterium in the first time that the potentially infectious bacterium fame of the ME-3 has been supported by the fact that Estonia and in the world; 2001 – researchers offer was tested. No problems occurred in the production the research was carried out in the framework of an the ME-3 to the Estonian process as the bacterium was suitable and did not lose international EU-financed project. The first foreign dairy industry; 2002 – health cheese, the its positive characteristics. The health cheese became negotiation partners have already been found – Finns product of Vana-Kuuste surprisingly popular. and Italians are in the testing phase. Hopefully they Dairy Cooperative, reaches the market; Tallinn Dairy Ltd., which has about 50% of the are just the first ones: patent application has been 2003 – The Tenderness market share in Estonia, started to develop the prod- filed in 16 European countries, and also in the US product family from ucts in 2002. Incorporating pro-biotic bacterium into and Russia. ■ By Õnne Pärl Tallinn Dairy Ltd., consist- ing of 9 products, reaches dairy products was successful, and as a result, the the market. license for production was bought from the university. The product family containing the ME-3 under the

20 BIOTECH ESTONIA ECONOMY

Estonians exported m-parking to Norway

operating in Norway. In the telecom world mobile WORLD COMPETITIVENESS RANKING 2003 parking is definitely considered to be a profitable ser- Population less than 20 Mln vice. Nevertheless, launching the pilot project, though 1. Finland 2. Singapore actively supported by the local people, took almost 3. Denmark 1.5 years. On the basis of their previous experience 7. Sweden the company had to produce a novel flexible solution 12. Norway 17. Estonia ANDRES TREIAL which would suit the Norwegian situation. The busi- 21. Czech Republic ness risks were not high, as the company already pos- 23. Hungary 27. Slovakia sessed the necessary technology. In Norway, however, 28. Slovenia it was necessary to set up a complicated partnership Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2003 The largest Estonian mobile connection scheme. The model operating in Estonia is meant for operator, EMT, launched the mPay mobile all car-owners and is much less sophisticated: parking parking pilot project in the Norwegian fees are collected by a mobile operator who charges capital of Oslo in spring 2002. a percentage agreed upon for the service whereas the larger share goes to the operator arranging the parking service. mPay, a joint venture with Norwegian business mPay positioned itself as the provider of a luxury partners, is a logical succession to the mobile service. Customers are pay- parking service (parking using one’s mobile phone) ing for luxury: many Nor- that was started in Estonia several years ago. Today, wegians accept the idea of Kaja Pino, the information officer of EMT confirms an extra payment for every that the service has passed the testing period but has instance of parking in addi- not yet reached the market. tion to the usual parking As early as 2000, EMT started looking for options fee. A potential customer to commercialize Estonia’s mobile parking technol- has to enter into a contract ogy and know-how abroad. Due to strict control with mPay via a local bank, over parking and high turnover the Nordic countries and thereafter the customer seemed fascinating in this respect. Their openness is provided with a unique to technological innovation, well-known all over the code and a sticker with a Parking payments world, was an additional lure. barcode to be displayed on a car window. Another and bus tickets by mobile phone are popu- Norway became a target thanks to Kai Lie, a for- perquisite is the availability of a Visa card. lar services in Estonia. mer Norwegian ambassador to Estonia. After leaving By now, all the contracts necessary for operating Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Board of EMT, Estonia, he happened to mention mobile parking at mPay have been concluded and mobile parking has also uses m-parking. home and soon his son, Jan-Erik Lie, and his friend, been thoroughly tested as well. The speed of market- Gaute Langaas, were at EMT to study the possibilities ing the project depends on the Norwegian partners of of importing the service. EMT who once more wished to review the business Building the business model was quite compli- conditions agreed upon. Despite complicated negotia- cated due to the different business cultures of the two tions both sides hope it will not take too long until the countries and the specificity of the parking model service reaches the market. ■ By Raul Kalev

BIOTECH ESTONIA 21 Soomaa: water everywhere

“In Soomaa we not only have spring, summer, autumn and winter, but also a fifth season – the flood season,” say the residents of Soomaa. Although the area has plenty of bogs, floods still surround local farms almost every year, mostly in spring, and even several times a year. Flat landscapes and slow water flow create huge floods which are a rare sight even in Northern Europe.

developed into bogs. The Kuresoo bog is an important transit site for migrating cranes and geese. Bogs are nesting sites for such rare birds as the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), black grouse (Lyrus PÄRNU PM/SCANPIX tetrix), black stork (Ciconia nigra), crane (Grus grus), etc. The fact that Soomaa is a habitat for about 160 oomaa is a national park that is located in two bird species has also been acknowledged by BirdLife counties, Viljandi County and Pärnu County. International which appointed Soomaa an Important SThe vast majority of the Soomaa national park’s Bird Area. 371 square kilometres is covered by huge bogs. These are separated by tributaries to the Pärnu River net- Residents work, namely Nevasti (100 km long), Halliste (86 km), Unlike what we remember from fiction, bogs are Raudna (58 km) and Lemmijõgi (41 km). habitats not only for all sorts of ghostly creatures, but also for human beings. In Soomaa, there are three Wild nature large villages: Riisa, Tipu and Sandra. The population The beautiful wooded meadows near the rivers proof Soomaa is around one hundred, but young people vide an ideal habitat for many rare plant species. Riv- tend to leave for more urban areas. ers border swampy virgin forests as well as other rich The first written proof of Soomaa’s existence is forest and meadow habitats. There are 36 species of from the 17th century. The villages began to grow in fauna, including elk, roe deer, fox, otter and badger. the 19th century with prosperity in village life in the Rare animals live here, such as the flying squirrel, 1920’s and 1930’s. brown bear, wolf and lynx. Floods usually occur when the ice starts to break up and last a few weeks. Apart from being a monu- mental sight, it is the best time for canoeing. The largest flooded area is between the Kikerpera, Kuresoo and Öördi bogs with water levels sometimes differing as much as 5.7 metres. The largest flooding took place in the spring of 1931 when 210 square kilometres of land were under water. The nature of Soomaa is unique: there are mead-

ows, mixed forests and swamps, many of which have ANNIKA HAAS

22 BIOTECH ESTONIA PHENOMENA

ANNIKA HAAS

Both floods and foggy mornings are part of the Soomaa lifestyle. But it Floods are not only a source of fun, but problems is also about respecting old skills: legendary master Jaanus Rahumaa as well. The residents of Soomaa have for centuries teaches how to build aspen boats (below). baked huge quantities of bread in reserve since floods usually ruined the stoves and it took time until they rivers: it took three days to cover the 120 kilometres were repaired. from the Halliste forest to Pärnu.

Joy and sorrow of living with water Interesting and valuable Granaries were raised on pillars and some of the grain Soomaa is one of the few places where you can still was stored under the ceiling. Pillars were put between find special aspen boats which are made of one whole ceilings and floors as otherwise the rising water would tree trunk. It is believed to be the oldest type of boat have damaged floorboards. Woodpiles were tied to used by the ancient Finno-Ugric peoples. During fences, and wooden rafts were built for cattle. For floods, it is an irreplaceable means of transport which young people, floods were a special time when no travelled from the house to the barn, carried firewood one was able to work. People used to go fishing and and had several other functions. hunting or just rafted for fun. Unfortunately, fifty years of the Soviet regime Although most farmhouses were built on higher made not only local villages redundant, but also the ground, it was not always enough. When people woke skills of building such a boat. But some old crafts- up in the morning and found that their bed was in men have started to organise training courses and the water, they just said: “Look, a visitor.” When the workshops in the Saarisoo farm. water kept rising, people slept in haylofts. Often the Over the years, Estonians have become more inter- flood re-located the whole barn, to say nothing of ested in domestic tourism. The Soomaa National Park smaller objects. When the water finally retreated, it Visitors’ Centre was opened a few years ago and it has left behind swollen floorboards and furniture and become a popular destination for nature loving tour- plenty of fungus. ists. Canoe trips, horseback riding and bog trekking Floods were a scourge to agriculture as well. Water are the most popular means for getting to know the damaged potato crops, washed away soil and eroded life and nature of Soomaa. And, when in Soomaa, fields. People were able to transport hay and construc- don’t forget to find out for yourself what is fiction tion materials only in winter by roads built across and what is true. ■ By Monica Sikk bogs. In springtime, people shipped logs on large Reviewed from Tallinn Airport magazine

BIOTECH ESTONIA 23 ECONOMYCULTURE

Priit Pärn – Father of the Estonian School o

One fine morning, Karl Marx feels he has had enough – Karl and Marilyn in a peculiar story he’s fed up with being the pet of the masses. Karl gets a Truth in history and truth in an animated film usually shave and transforms into a complete stranger. As his meta- take different courses. It also holds true in “Karl and morphosis needs no witnesses, he kills the barber. The Marilyn.” While historical Karl became famous for his murder gives a start to a new film, “Karl and Marilyn,” by the abundant writings, movie-Karl gained status for his outstanding Estonian animation master Priit Pärn. skill in performing complex dives. “Women especially are just crazy about him,” explains Pärn. As a hint to Michelangelo Antonioni’s “Blow-Up,” t’s a movie about being famous and not wanting the murder is exposed on an amateur photograph to be,” comments Pärn on his new film. His taken from the barbershop window. Suddenly, Karl “I nine earlier movies have brought him much is a fugitive, hiding in the sewerage. At the same time, fame during the past 15 years: Pärn has won more a slum-girl Marilyn (Monroe) comes to town and than 40 different international prizes. In 2001, the her skirt takes flight at the moment she happens to International Animated Film Association awarded stand above the beardless Karl, squatting in the sewer him the Life Achievement Award. system. Marilyn becomes the favourite of the masses. Priit Pärn started his career as a caricaturist and But for how long? his movies are full of strange and incalculable meta- morphoses, also present in the quirky plot of “Karl Pärn has his own school and a festival and Marilyn.” His most awarded animated films are Since 1994, Priit Pärn has been the artistic director of “Luncheon on the Grass” (1987, awards from festivals the animation department of the Turku School of Art of Tampere, Zagreb, Bonn, Shanghai, Melbourne, etc.) and Media in Finland, where many young Estonian and “1885” (1995, co-director Janno Põldma; awards animation students have studied. The world associ- from festivals of Odense, Kiev, Oslo, Ottawa, etc.). ates the academy with the so-called Turku school

24 BIOTECH ESTONIA Nonviolence Animated Films Are Becoming a Business

During the past five years, Estonian film directors Janno Põldma and Heiki Ernits have laid the foundation for a new approach in the local realm of animated film. Their children’s films “Tom and Fluffy” (1997), “Lotte” (2000), “Ladybird’s Christmas”

(2001) and “Concert for a Carrot Pie” are exceptional for there are no vio- lent characters in the movies. In the economic sense the men-

EESTI JOONISFILM. SCENES FROM THE ANIMATED FILM “KARL AND MARILYN” BY PRIIT PÄRN tioned movies proved to be a success. The most successful of the four, “Lotte,” has been sold to TV channels in more than 20 countries and negotiations are still continuing with new clients. Furthermore, the Germans are no l of Animated Films longer interested in paying royalties – they are willing to cooperate in the

of animation, which has many features in common regard to Estonian animated films it’s with Estonian animation. “The similarities could be habitual that out of three films at least a clearly drawn plot and reoccurring elements of sur- two, but usually all three movies are realism,” explains the founder of the school. accepted. Last May, Priit Pärn and the Turku School of Art That’s why Pärn doesn’t listen to the and Media organised the first Finnish animated film directors of feature film directors, who festival, TAFF (Turku Animated Film Festival). While joke that if the position of feature films production of the sequel, “Lotte from the Inventor’s Village,” which will be festival programs usually only accept productions were comparable to the Olympic Games, released at the beginning of 2005. of the five past years, TAFF doesn’t have any time the marginality of animated films would Lotte, the curious and restless restrictions, thus enabling films shot a long time ago resemble country sports, such as wife- dog-maiden, is extremely popular to compete. carrying or boot casting. “I think that in Estonia – under the same title a kind of comment mostly applies to the film-based book was published, Lotte ice-cream is on sale, and Kreenholm New Generation of Estonians Breaks through commentators themselves,” claims Pärn, textile company manufactures special Pärn claims that the good state of Estonian animated and challenges feature films in turn. “If Lotte bed linens and curtains. film is due to the fact that in addition to the old we ran a test and compared a half-hour masters a new generation has emerged – Priit Ten- animated film and a full-length fea- der, Ülo Pikkov, Kaspar Jancis. Pikkov and Jancis are ture film I believe that in regards to the former students of Priit Pärn, who’s called the father message, emotionality and humour the of Estonian animation. animated film would beat the feature More important than awards is access to major film.” ■ animated film festivals. About 1500-1700 films are By Tambet Kaugema nominated for the Hiroshima or Ottawa festival pro- Reviewed from Tallinn Airport grammes, but only 50 or 60 enter the contests. With magazine

BIOTECH ESTONIA 25 CONTACT

Estonian Biotechnology companies and research institutes

Company Name: Address: CEO/contact: www / e-mail Tel: / Fax Profile: ACESO Envirtech OÜ Näituse 22b-26, Meelis [email protected] +372 5 019 455 Developing technology using microorganisms Tartu 50407 Niinepuu to clean waste in environment. Applied Phenomics LLC. Lunini 24, Tambet Teesalu www.appliedphenomics.com +372 5 273 465 Molecular expression profiling (in situ hybridization, Tartu 50406 [email protected] +372 7 426 287 immunolocalization), molecular pathology services. Asper Biotech AS Oru 3, Tartu 51014 Indrek Kask www.asperbio.com +372 7 441 556 Custom mutation detection and SNP genotyping [email protected] +372 7 442 343 services and products for association studies and haplo- typing projects based on APEX technology. Bestenbalt LLC Poska 4-27, www.bestenbalt.com +372 5 025 559 Proteomics-related services including production, Tallinn 10147 [email protected] +372 6 013 861 purification and identification. BimKemi Eesti AS Akadeemia tee 21G- Maris Liiders www.bimkemi.ee +372 6 654 248 Environmental biotechnology, specialty chemistry 320, Tallinn 12618 [email protected] +372 6 654 248 and and equipment construction. BioData OÜ Oru 3, Tartu 51014 Andrus Kaldalu www.biodata.ee +372 5 091 007 Methods and software for large-scale SNP genotyping, [email protected] +372 7 442 343 fully automated systems for automatic processing and analysis of large datasets. Celecure AS Sakala 17, Tarmo Kivi www.celecure.com +372 6 512 678 Discovery and preclinical development of Tallinn 10141 [email protected] +372 6 512 671 next generation tumour cell specific therapeutic compounds against cancer. EGeen AS Ülikooli 6, Kalev Kask www.egeeninc.com +372 7 309 530 Analysis of disease and drug response data in Tartu 51003 [email protected] +372 7 309 531 association with DNA and biomarker profiles emerging from the Estonian Genome Project (EGP). Fit Biotech Oyi Plc Estonia Nooruse 9, Mart Ustav www.fitbiotech.com +372 7 377 070 DNA vaccination, and immuno- and gene therapies. Tartu 50411 [email protected] +372 7 377 077 Immunotron OÜ Riia 185, Raivo Uibo +372 5 105 079 Novel immunodiagnostic devices for human diseases. Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 374 231 Inbio OÜ Sakala 17, Tallinn Tarmo Kivi www.inbiolabs.com +372 6 512 677 Custom antibody services and peptide synthesis, research [email protected] +372 6 512 671 in the field of cell-membrane penetrating antibody technologies and diagnostic and therapeutic intrabodies. Kevelt AS Akadeemia tee Ivar Järving www.kevelt.ee +372 6 204 390 Prostaglandin synthesis. 15/1, Tallinn 12618 [email protected] +372 6 703 683 LabAs AS Kungla 40, Aavo-Valdur www.labas.ee +372 7 428 009 Production, purification and labeling of mono- and poly- Tartu 50403 Mikelsaar [email protected] +372 7 428 940 clonal (mouse, goat, rabbit, chicken) antibodies. Labema Eesti OÜ J.Vilmsi 28-1, Maja Riskala www.labema.ee +372 6 419 496 Products for microbiology and clinical diagnostics. Tallinn 10126 [email protected] +372 6 419 497 Naxo OÜ Riia 185, Indrek Toots www.naxolab.com +372 7 428 001 Enzymes, reagents and Smart Mix buffers. Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 477 131 OÜ IasGen Pikk 98-58, Tartu Ülo Puurand www.ut.ee/innovation/tech- +372 7 374 378 A novel method for genome analysis. nologies/geen_analyys.htm +372 7 374 372 [email protected] OÜ Mikrotaim Sillapää, Kaldmäe www.eau.ee/~agt/mustikas/ +372 5 132 091 Specific micropropagation protocols for different plant Räpina 64507 mikrotaim.html +372 6 547 520 species, initiation of plant tissue cultures, micropropa- [email protected] gated plant material, consulting production labs etc. ProSyntest AS Akadeemia tee 15, Kaarel Siirde www.prosyntest.com +372 6 204 398 Manufacturing of fine chemicals and developing Tallinn 12618 [email protected] of chemical processes and new synthetic procedures as well as manufacturing pharmaceutical active ingredients and advanced intermediates. 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Company Name: Address: CEO/contact: www / e-mail Tel: / Fax Profile: RESEARCH Estonian Biotechnology Tiigi 61b, Erki Mölder www.biotech.ee Aims to further partnership between the public sector and Association Tartu 50410 [email protected] non-governmental organisations and develop Estonian biotechnology. University of Tartu Ülikooli 18, Jaak Aaviksoo www.ut.ee +372 7 375 100 As a national university, this one and only classical Tartu 50090 [email protected] +372 7 375 440 Estonian-language university offers research-based graduate and postgraduate degree programmes and deals with both fundamental and applied research. The most remarkable recent research achievements have been in the areas of molecular and cell biology, gene technology, immunology, pharmacology, laser medicine, materials science, laser spectroscopy, biochemistry, environment technology, computer linguistics, psychology, and semiotics. Tallinn University of Technology Ehitajate tee 5, Andres www.ttu.ee +372 6 202 002 University provides educational, research and innovation Tallinn 19086 Keevallik [email protected] +372 6 202 020 services in the fields of engineering and entrepreneurship, which are internationally competitive and significant for Estonia’s sustained development. Estonian Agricultural University Kreutzwaldi 64, Alar Karis www.eau.ee +372 7 313 001 The centre of R&D in fields of agriculture, forestry, animal Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 313 069 science, veterinary science, rural life and economy, food science and environmentally friendly technologies. National Institute of Chemical Akadeemia tee 23, Ago Samoson www.kbfi.ee +372 6 398 300 An autonomous public research institution applying Physics and Biophysics Tallinn 12618 [email protected] +372 6 703 662 modern physical methods in chemistry and biochemistry. Estonian Biocentre Riia 23, Tartu 51010 Richard Villems www.ebc.ee +372 7 375 064 An independent public research institute carrying [email protected] +372 7 420 194 out research in the field of molecular medicine and biotechnology. Biomedical Engineering Ehitajate tee 5, Kalju Meigas www.cb.ttu.ee +372 6 202 200 Biomedical Engineering Centre is a research centre Centre of Tallinn University of Tallinn 19086 [email protected] +372 6 202 201 for interdisciplinary studies engaged in biomedical Technology engineering research. Institute of Gene Technology of Ehitajate tee 5, Erkki Truve www.ttu.ee +372 6 398 339 Institute provides education and carries out research in Tallinn University of Technology Tallinn 19086 [email protected] +372 6 398 391 the fields of gene technology, genomics and proteomics, molecular biology and molecular diagnostics. Institute of Molecular Riia 23, Tartu 51010 Juhan Sedman www.tymri.ut.ee +372 7 375 037 IMCB is the leading Estonian centre for research, teaching and Cell Biology [email protected] +372 7 420 286 and technological development in the fields of molecular biology, gene technologies and molecular medicine. Jõgeva Plant Breeding Institute Aamisepa 1, Mati Koppel www.jpbi.ee +372 7 766 901 Institute developes new varieties of winter rye, Jõgeva 48309 [email protected] +372 7 766 902 winter and spring wheat, barley, oats, field pea, potatoes, vegetables, forage grasses and legumes to obtain high-yielding varieties characterized by genotype x environment stability of traits. Centre of Excellence for Gene Riia 23, Tartu 51010 Juhan Sedman www.tymri.ut.ee/TK +372 7 375 037 An institution for research and technological and Environmental Technologies [email protected] +372 7 420 286 development carrying out cutting-edge fundamental research in molecular and cell biology and developing technological applications in the fields of gene and environmental technologies. Centre of Excellence for Ravila 19, Raivo Uibo cmcm.ut.ee +372 7 374 051 The Centre aims to reduce the burden of neurological Molecular and Clinical Medicine Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 374 052 diseases, mental illness and behavioural disorders (as separated entities or complex chronic diseases) through research on brain, mind and behaviour. OTHER Estonian Genome Foundation Vanemuise 21A, Maris Väli www.genomics.ee +372 7 420 132 Organizing, coordinating and promoting R&D activities, Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 420 286 training and promotional activities in the field of gene and biotechnology. Regional Branch Office of the European Federation of Biotechnology. Estonian Genome Project Tiigi 61b, Koit Kikas www.geenivaramu.ee +372 7 440 220 A non-profit foundation founded by the Government of Foundation Tartu 50410 [email protected] +372 7 440 221 the Republic of Estonia for the preparation and implementation of the Estonian Genome Project. Estonian Society of Human Riia 23, Tartu 51010 Maris Teder www.estshg.ebc.ee +372 7 375 034 The society promotes research in the fields of human Genetics [email protected] +372 7 420 286 and medical genetics, and creates a network for people involved in the field. Tallinn University of Ehitajate tee 5, Riin Ehin www.ttu.ee/biogen/ +372 6 298 339 The center offers high-quality infrastructure and addition- Technology Center for Bio- Tallinn 19086 [email protected] +372 6 398 382 al know-how for a solid basis of high-level research and and Gene Technology development in biotechnology and biomedicine. Tartu Biotechnology Park Tiigi 61b, Andrus Tasa www.biopark.ee +372 7 383 053 Infrastructure and related services for biotechnological Tartu 50410 [email protected] +372 7 383 053 development activities and entrepreneurship to Estonian and foreign biotechnology companies. Tartu University Institute Vanemuise 21, Mart Ustav www.tuit.ut.ee +372 7 374 800 The institute has four research- and development centres of Technology Tartu 51014 [email protected] +372 7 374 900 and its departments are offering innovation support services for the entire Tartu University. Quintiles Estonia OÜ Soola 8, Tartu 51013 Katrin Otsalt www.quintiles.com +372 7 371 150 Clinical studies, capturing the high quality data collection, [email protected] +372 7 371 151 management, finalising the data-report; Post-Marketing studies Fifth Annual International geneforum 2004 September 17-18, 2004 Tartu, Estonia

An annual international high-level Invited Speakers Prof. Juha Kere, Scientific Director, KI Biobank, Karolinska Institutet, Prof. Jaume Bertranpetit, scientific conference, biobusiness Sweden* University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain* Prof. Gerry Kiebooms, Psychosocial workshop and exhibition on Genetics Unit, Centre for Human Prof. Xavier Estivill, Center for Genetics, University of Leuven, genetics and genomics.The major Genomic Regulation (CRG), Belgium Barcelona, Spain event in the Baltics provides an Prof. Mark McCarthy, Oxford Prof. Richard Gibbs, Director, Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology BCM-Human Genome Sequencing excellent opportunity to establish and Metabolism (OCDEM), Churchill Centre, Department of Molecular Hospital, UK* and renew contacts in the region. and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, USA Prof. S. Qasim Mehdi, Director General, Biomedical&Genetic Prof. Martin Godboult, Engineering Laboratories, Pakistan* President, Genome Canada, Gene Forum 2004 focuses on Canada* Prof. Kathleen Merikangas, National Institute of Mental Health, interdisciplinary areas within Prof. David Goldstein, University NIH, USA College of London, UK* Prof. Nikolas Rose, Department of genomics and genetics of complex Dr. Hannu Hanhijärvi, Director, Sociology, Goldsmith College in SITRA Life Sciences, Finland* diseases, genetic epidemiology, London; BIOS Research Centre for the Prof. Edward Holmes,Vice Study of Bioscience, Biomedicine, pharmacogenomics and business, Chancellor for Health Sciences, Biotechnology and Society, UK University of California, San Diego, Prof. GillesThomas, Fondation Jean population genetics, human USA* Dausset/CEPH, Paris, France* Prof. Florian Holsboer, Director genetics and bioethics. Prof. RichardVillems,Tartu of Max-Planck Institute of University/Estonian Biocentre, Estonia* Psychiatry, Munich, Germany * Confirmed

www.geneforum.ee [email protected] +372 5646 9494 +372 742 0132

Registration Deadlines June 25th, 2004 September 10th, 2004

Estonian Biocentre EBC CE Project GENERA