IBET on SpeCCC project
iBET is a private non-profit institution specializing in biology research and drug discovery/bioprocess development. As a Biotechnology Research Organization, iBET acts as an interface between academic and private institutions while also creating and organizing autonomous knowledge and expertise. This allows iBET to target areas ranging from biopharmaceuticals and novel therapies including the development of in-vitro 3D culture models for drug discovery and methodologies for pre-clinical research and cell therapy applications; protein stability, structure and drug design; water, energy and environment; food and wellness and agro-forestry.
Our Objectives: To Provide Biotech Solutions Globally
Our Mission: To Create Value for our Partners Leveraging Scientific & Technological Knowledge in Biology and Chemistry
Our Vision: Ambition, Commitment, Integrity, Search for Knowledge, Innovation and Service
iBET houses 16 laboratories, a GLP/GMP certified Analytical Services Unit, a Bio-Pilot Plant and privileged access to the GMP manufacturer GeniBET (partially owned by iBET). Together this allows iBET to present solutions ranging from R&D and early stage discovery, to final production and bioprocess. iBET has coordinated over ten European Commission 6th and 7th framework projects, has been work-package leader in another twenty and actively coordinates numerous R&D projects with International Pharmaceutical companies.
In the context of the SpeCCC project, the participating Animal Cell Technology Unit of iBET has been active and created competencies and expertise in: a) Development of in vitro models for pre-clinical research, focusing mainly in toxicology, brain research and cancer research; b) Development of new tools with higher predictive power in terms of xenobiotic biotransformation than the currently available ones, using primary cultures of hepatocytes (rat and human origin) and differentiating human embryonic stem cells (hESC) into functional hepatocyte-like cells; c) Alternative culture systems, using 3D cultures in environmentally controlled bioreactors for the fully functional long-term subsistence of primary cultures of hepatocytes, the expansion and differentiation of stem cells - cell therapies, drug development and screening and finally mathematical modelling and systems biology approaches to organise complexity of the processes involved in the research described above.
