Mission
Bringing medicine where it is needed
Our world needs more options for the production of biologics. Helico has taken on this challenge, developing BioVerge, a plant-based therapeutics production platform. BioVerge offers an alternative method of biologics manufacturing with the potential for faster delivery of proof-of-concept. Using BioVerge Helico is developing an internal pipeline including long-acting insulin, high-value oncology antibodies and vaccines for pandemic prevention.
Values
Accessibility | Innovation | Environmental impact
At Helico, our processes and decisions are guided by three main principles. Our work is driven by the goal of accessibility where everything we do is ultimately to make life-saving therapeutics more accessible globally. Innovation is a key - by building upon current techniques we developed an alternative way to manufacture biologics quicker to deliver proof-of-concept. We consider the environmental impact of our operations, pursuing a carbon neutral manufacturing process to reduce total pollutant emissions of the pharmaceutical industry.
"The highest form of wisdom is kindness"
Our proof-of-concept
Why insulin?
Our proof-of-concept project Insulin is one of the oldest manufactured biologic compounds. It was first patented by Banting, Best and Collipin 1923. The three inventors famously sold the patent to the University of Toronto for one dollar. ‘Insulin does not belong to me,’ as Banting pointed out, ‘it belongs to the world’. Nevertheless, almost a century later, insulin is still not accessible to every person in need. Insulin ‘deserts’ exist, for example, in certain regions of Africa, where caritative associations battle to bring insulin to the population. (see article)
Other countries like USA recently had to regulate the pricing of insulin, as lower income household are struggling to pay for the treatment. (see article)
Even more recently, the travel disruptions brought by the COVID pandemic highlighted the fragility of global supply chains. (see article) In 2021, insulin access is still a priority for the WHO. (see article)
At Helico, we chose to develop our proof-of-concept to tackle the ‘insulin problem’. We address accessibility by using plant models and focusing on local production. The way we see it, insulin can be produced where and when it’s needed most.
Bottomline: we can make this life saving medicine available for all.
Design of a Portable Insulin Facility in a Refugee Camp
