IVA’s annual 100 List pulls together a wide range of research projects from Swedish higher education institutions on topical themes. The selection process picks out the projects that are deemed to offer the greatest potential to create value through commercialisation, business and method development or societal impact. All the participating researchers are interested in closer contact with the business community for the application and continued development of their projects.
Among the projects are innovations such as a simple hair test for early cancer detection, a healthy sugar substitute, and a rapid tuberculosis test. The list underscores the power of interdisciplinary research, with participating researchers aiming to foster stronger collaborations with industry to turn their ideas into reality.
Ossigel: A New Platform for Bone Marrow Cancer Research
One project on the list is Ossigel, led by WCMM Lund Fellow Paul Bourgine. Ossigel addresses a critical challenge: current preclinical models for studying bone tumours and cancers like leukemia, multiple myeloma, and osteosarcoma are insufficient. Mouse models, often used in research, fail to adequately replicate the human bone environment, leading to unsuccessful clinical trials and poor therapeutic outcomes.
Ossigel offers an innovative solution: an injectable gel that creates human mini-bones from patient cells within research animals. These miniature bones serve as realistic human platforms to study tumour development and test drugs. By improving the accuracy of drug screening, the project has the potential to revolutionize therapies for bone and bone marrow cancers.
The next steps for Ossigel include scaling up production and developing a robust manufacturing process for broader application.
With projects like Ossigel at the forefront, this year’s 100 List clearly demonstrates that Sweden’s research landscape is not only rich in ideas but also in its potential to change the world.