SMART 2019 SALZBURG Small bodily taxis with transport orders Transport of active agents by means of the smallest cellular particles is being investigated at a new research centre in Salzburg Photo: AdobeStock Small particles released by cells are the focus of a new research partner Nicole Meisner-Kober. She is head of one Salzburg research centre. So-called vesicles move around of seven EV-TT research groups working in this field and with specific work assignments in all living beings – hu- Professor for Chemical Biology and Biological Therapeu- mans, animals and plants. Vesicles from mother’s milk, for tics at the University of Salzburg. “In the case of purely example, activate the intestinal cells of a breast-fed baby, synthetic substances, the body has no or very few natural in order to prepare them for future defensive tasks. How- possibilities to block them.” In situations where the use ever, cancer cells also send ahead vesicles, in order to pave of biological active substances promises more or better the way for their establishment in other areas of the body. success, the challenge is to get these substances through the body’s defences to where they are needed and then Nevertheless, vesicles can also have a healing effect, as to “unpack” them. This is precisely where vesicles can be Photo: ITG/wildbild Photo: Walter Haas, Managing Director of ITG – Innovationsservice für Salzburg verified by the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) labo- used for their transport function. However, this is com- ratory at the Paracelsus Private Medical University (PMU). bined with problems as to how exactly the vesicles can be New look at Salzburg Over the last seven years, Mario Gimona, Head of the GMP loaded with substances to allow this delivery mechanism Laboratory, and his team have built up to function. There is also Do you know and love Salzburg for the festival or for the laboratory, adding a modern clean the question as to whether walking or skiing holidays? Let’s augment your picture room and achieving worldwide recog- the vesicles themselves with all the aspects of Salzburg that are often – unde- nition, above all in the field of stem cell “Vesicles can transport biological have an effect on their substances through the body’s servedly – overlooked: top-level research, fruitful col- vesicles. “Here we are investigating passage through the body own barriers.” laborations, innovative companies and highly promising vesicles derived from stem cells and and, if so, what. In order to Researcher Nicole Meisner-Kober start-ups. They all contribute to a modern business how they can contribute to repair- investigate all these ques- location and, as the innovation agency for Salzburg, we ing damaged tissue, such as a torn tions, first and foremost, are particularly pleased to be able to support and assist tendon or an injured auditory nerve,” the vesicles themselves are many of these projects. says Gimona. “With the GMP laboratory at the Paracelsus required. “In principle, these occur in all living organisms. Private Medical University in Salzburg, we have an ideal However, not only because we find a very high density of Especially in terms of research, much has already hap- starting point for further research and development in this them in cow’s milk, but also because the milk is readily pened this year: A new centre for vesicle research (see field.” Together with its partner, the University of Salzburg, available, we already have a milk processor on board. Too right) supported by the State of Salzburg was opened and support both from the State of Salzburg and from the much is often left over, particularly of the whey, in the pro- in mid-September, thereby further developing a region- European Regional Development Fund via the IGJ (Invest- duction of various milk products. If we were to be success- al specialisation. We have also succeeded in attracting a ment in Growth and Jobs) programme, it has now been ful with this, in addition to the research findings, we would Ludwig Boltzmann institute to Salzburg. This is cur- able to open the Transfer Centre for Extracellular Vesicle also have another recycling possibility and valorisation of rently under construction and will be conducting digital Therapies, aka the EV-TT Centre. a resource that is available in any case,” says Meisner-Ko- health research from October. In this case, life sciences ber. Feasibility of implementation in practice is considered are being combined with digitalisation, likewise an Utilising vesicles for transporting active substances from the early stages of research. One more reason for the area that deserves attention. Both in the expansion of University of Salzburg and the PMU to work in coopera- research by means of the endowment professorship Because vesicles can overcome many of the body’s own tion: “The expertise that we already have here at the PMU sponsored by the state (page 10) and start-ups that barriers, EV-TT researchers are seeking to utilise them for helps us set up our development process from the outset build on digital opportunities (page 5). Many examples transporting medications: “Biologically inspired active in such a way that we do not experience any unnecessary that open one’s eyes to another at least as exciting side agents have the disadvantage that the body recognises delays at a later stage in bridging the gap into practice,” of Salzburg. them and prevents their external administration,” explains says Meisner-Kober. LIFE SCIENCES • SMART SALZBURG Radiotherapy devices enter series production medPhoton GmbH has already made a name for Series production made possible by new facility was also achieved with the help of ITG – Innovationsser- itself in the production of innovative devices for vice für Salzburg: “Drafting of an individual funding strat- radiotherapy. The successful company opened The continuously growing medical technology start-up, egy for the company allowed various funding pools to be the gates to its new facility on 30 August 2019. which spent its first few years in the hospital basement utilised in addition, while at the same time optimally sup- area, but most recently had the Frey-Villa bursting at its porting the company’s further development,” says Hans seams, now at last has sufficient space for both employees Christian Pfarrkirchner, Head of ITG-Business Services. and production. The first systems may have been con- medPhoton was founded in 2012 as a spin-off from the ceived and developed as individual prototypes produced www.medphoton.at Photo: medPhoton University Hospital of Salzburg and the Paracelsus Private and adapted by hand, but now the gates stand open Medical University (PMU). The small group around Heinz to series production with the relocation to more than Deutschmann, the longstanding head physicist of the 2800 m² at Karolingerstrasse 16. The new plant will enable Institute for Radiotherapy and Radio-Oncology at Salz- the evolutionary step to industrialisation and currently burger Landeskliniken and co-initiator of the Institute for offers space for 50 people. “Thanks to enlargement of Technology Development in Radiotherapy (radART) at the production area and optimisation of the production PMU, was soon able to register a complete success. processes, among other means by implementing an ERP system, we will overcome the challenges of coming years,” High-resolution imaging for more gentle radiotherapy says Michael Hubauer-Brenner, Head of the Operations department. Their ImagingRing systems have been developed espe- cially for radiotherapy applications. The very high image Acquisition of the existing building, where now defunct resolution allows the precise position of the tumour in company Synthes manufactured medical devices in the surrounding tissue to be determined, which in turn the past, proved to be a piece of luck for the company. enables very precise radiotherapy. This results in a lower medPhoton’s investments amounting this year to approx. X-ray dosage and best possible contrast, thereby sparing 425,000 euros in converting the building and expanding the surrounding tissue. In addition, the slimline design and the production capacity to up to 50 machines per year, are extremely low weight of the systems make them suitable being effected with the assistance of Austria Wirtschafts- for mobile use. service GmbH as well as banks and strategic partners. This FULL SERVICE FOR CLINICAL STUDIES Photo: CRCS Photo: Every type of pharmaceutical or medical product – from reporting. “This service for industry-sponsored studies is contact lenses through to MRI scanners – must pass unique in Austria,” says Lagler. “It has made us visible on through a comprehensive certification programme before the international map. Even ECRIN (the European Clinical market approval. Multi-phase clinical studies form one Research Infrastructure Network) lists us, although Austria part of this programme. As participants in such studies, as a whole has withdrawn from the network.” The project patients are ensured optimum provision thanks to the managers of large EU projects dealing with clinical studies high degree of quality assurance, while gaining access to turn to ECRIN. the most innovative medications and therapies. In order to benefit from these advantages of the studies, Salzburg Success proves the concept right: According to Lagler, must hold its own as a venue in international competition. over 250 studies are currently being conducted at various When global players plan certification studies in Europe, hospitals, predominantly at SALK. Depending on the remit, they primarily select study centres in larger countries, such each study involves between five and 400 patients. as Germany, France or England, thereby allowing them to cover the first sixty to seventy percent of potentially avail- Training study personnel able patients. Austria should be of interest for the second wave of studies. “To this end, we have to score highly in The performance of studies is guided by the rules of terms of quality and flexibility,” says Florian Lagler, Manag- good clinical practice (GCP), an internationally established ing Director of Clinical Research Center Salzburg (CRCS).