Updated in September 2024
Learn all about the history of Medix Biochemica, and how our innovative solutions, along with collaborations and partnerships, help our customers develop better diagnostic tools for the in vitro diagnostic industry.
Medix Biochemica was established in Finland in 1985, and since then we have been manufacturing and supplying high-quality raw materials for the in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry, as well as research and development institutes. Our vision is to become the first-choice raw material partner for the IVD industry.1,2
|
Did You Know? Medix Biochemica supplies IVD raw materials to nearly 80 countries, on every continent except Antarctica!2 |
The history of Medix Biochemica began with Georges J.F. Köhler and César Milstein were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1984 for the discovery of the hybridoma technique for the production of monoclonal antibodies.3
A Finnish scientist, Jim Schröder, worked at Stanford University and brought his expertise back to Medix Biochemica upon returning to Finland. Later on, Jim Schröder became a Professor at the University of Helsinki, and a long-standing Board Member and chairman of the Board of Medix Biochemica.
Image Source: Medix Biochemica Company Presentation (2015)
“Every single day, antibodies manufactured by us enable 1 million people to get an answer to their health questions.”
—Laura-Leena Kiiskinen, Vice President of Innovation and Business Development at Medix Biochemica.
We are fully committed to offering our customers the most comprehensive IVD raw materials portfolio in the industry. In order to do this, we have acquired several companies, each with its own expertise, across the IVD market.
In 2019, Lee Biosolutions was acquired,4 followed by EastCoast Bio and Biostride in 2020,5,6 Diaclone in 2021, and myPOLS Biotec GmbH and Bioresource Technology in 2022, strengthening its existing molecular diagnostics division, MedixMDx and capabilities in base matrix processing, respectively.8
Most recently in November 2023, we acquired US-based ViroStat, which will significantly strengthen our infectious disease offerings.9
With these acquisitions we have broadened our portfolio of critical raw materials for the IVD industry, complemented our scientific expertise, and strengthened our local presence within the respective regions.4-9
Together, with all our partners, we offer over a century’s worth of combined diagnostics expertise to our customers all over the world.
Timeline of Medix Biochemica’s acquisitions
Image Source: https://about.medixbiochemica.com/
We have radically expanded our product portfolio over the past few years, now covering not only antibodies and antigens for immunodiagnostics, but also the following:
We also offer a wide range of bio-specimens for IVD test developers. We expand over seven sites globally which provide contract development, customization, and manufacturing services for diagnostic raw materials.2
In addition to that, we have exceptional in-house knowledge of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and isothermal assay development as well as master mix lyophilization, to cover all essential application needs in molecular diagnostics.
Our extended offering means we can provide almost any protein, bio-specimen, or base matrix that our customers may need.10
In the past, limitations in raw material performance, detection technologies, and data analytics have set certain technical boundaries to IVD test development. However, we are now seeing exciting technology disruptions occurring at all levels, from raw materials development to result-interpretation software.
With these concurrent advances in protein modeling and engineering, sensitive detection technologies, and AI-based data analytics, disruptive innovations are inevitable.
Our core expertise in antibody and enzyme development tailored for the IVD industry’s needs ensures that our customers’ research and development teams can focus on their assay, detection platform, and analysis software development. We support them by bringing in state-of-the-art solutions to develop the raw materials for their applications. The best innovative diagnostic methods for improved patient care come through collaboration and partnering, where each partner combines their best mind and capabilities.
One of our partnering companies produced some good monoclonal antibodies for lateral flow IVD tests but their hybridoma cell lines had deteriorated (they were no longer viable or producing the antibodies). Our Research and Development team was able to rescue the DNA sequences encoding the mAbs, and they created recombinant versions of the antibodies with unaltered antigen-binding properties. This secured the supply of two high-performing mAbs for our customers.
Our phage display research and development group, in less than 6 months, generated a novel binding molecule for a human membrane protein identified as a marker of CAF (cancer-associated fibroblast). The newly developed recombinant antibody is currently being used in immunoPET applications.
Our PCR enzyme and master mix capabilities enabled clinical laboratories and test manufacturers to develop high-performing assays for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) detection, without the need for sample extraction or lysis, thus saving precious hands-on time and consumables in the laboratory.
Learn more about our heritage, expertise, and commitment to the IVD industry, and reach out to us if you’d like to discuss some of your IVD needs.
If you would like to receive our monthly newsletter, please subscribe below to get all of our new articles delivered straight to your inbox.
References: