Genis at a glance
Genis is a biotechnology company founded in 2005 in the Arctic town of Siglufjörður, Iceland. The Company is pioneering the development and application of therapeutic chitin derivatives.
Revolutionizing Inflammation Treatment and Bone Regeneration
At the heart of our value proposition for chitin derivatives are the therapeutic abilities of certain chitin oligosaccharides to combat inflammatory disorders, as well as the regenerative and osteogenic properties of our proprietary ChitoBiomer to be harnessed following bone fractures and bone surgery.
Throughout the last two decades, Genis has invested approx. $40M USD in research and development. During that time, the Company has made breakthrough discoveries on chitin biology and adopted a robust strategy of protecting intellectual property through both patents and process know-how.
Genis leverages its expertise across three product platforms: orthobiologics (bone regeneration), pharmaceutical development (novel drug development) and dietary supplements (both human and animal application). In 2016 the Company launched Benecta®, a leading food supplement in the Icelandic market, and in 2021 its first animal health product was launched in Germany through a licensing agreement with WDT, an economic cooperative of German veterinarians.
Milestones
These milestones highlight Genis' commitment to research, development, intellectual property protection, and successful product launches, positioning the company as a prominent player in the field of chitin derivatives and its applications.
2003
Early discoveries on chitosan application
2005
Genis is founded based on early chitosan finding
2007 - 2010
Therapeutic chitooligosaccharides (ChOS) developed
2010
Anti-arthritic effects of ChOS; Orthobiologic effects on sheep tibia demonstrated
2013
ChOS effects on YKL-40 protein, chondrocytes and stem cells reported
2015
Molecular heparin switch by chitin on YKL-40 established
2016
Launch of Benecta
2017
Herlev clinical study on ChOS blend (SimeCOS) M-Era.Net sponsored research intobioactive coating of implants
2019-2020
Preclinical safety study on SimeCOS
2020
Development of single- chain ChOS molecules; Research grant on 3D- printing of mechanically stable bone implants
2021
Launch of Agil Senior® in Germany; Kappa sponsored research study on ceramic bone implants
2022
$17m new equity funding led byinternationally experienced investors
$40M USD In Research and Development
We’ve made breakthrough discoveries on chitin biology and adopted a robust strategy of protecting intellectual property through both patents and process know-how.
Our Mission
Genis is committed to deliver products that will improve quality of life.
Our goal is to develope and bring to market a suite of products which, based on a solid scientific foundation, can utilize the regenerative mechanisms developed by nature.
Our pride lies in the development of health products that are recommended by patients and preferred by doctors, to bring medical benefits to society and long-term returns to our investors.
Executive Leadership Team
24+ years of industry experience
Former Senior Vice President of R&D at Alvotech
Developed and registered multiple biopharmaceuticals
Ph.D. in Pharmacy & MBA
Recipient of multiple academic and industry awards
Broad international financial experience
Former Head of Treasury Risk Management at Volvo Cars, Portfolio Manager at Volvo Treasury, and Director of Pension Division at Glitnir Bank
MSc in Finance
Extensive experience in the regulated product industry
Key leadership roles in multinational companies
Background in biopharmaceuticals and medical device manufacturing, quality assurance, supply chain, and compliance
PhD in Pharmacy, QP
25+ years of executive and R&D experience
Former Director of IP at deCODE genetics
Evaluation Board Member of the Icelandic Research Council
Patent attorney
PhD in Biological Chemistry
Former IT manager at Alvotech
Years of experience in managing complex pharmaceutical developent projects
PhD in Pharmaceutical sciences
Board of Directors
Founder, shareholder, Chairman of the board and former CEO of Genis.
Long-standing experience of developing companies in the aquaculture sector with several successful growth stories as the main shareholder.
Computer scientist with background in eDiscovery.
Worked for Siemens AG in Munich for 7 years.
Holds an MSc. Degree in Computer Forensics.
Supreme Court Attorney, qualified to practice law in Iceland and France.
Extensive 26-year experience in M&A, banking & finance, mergers & acquisitions, capital markets and commercial and company law.
20 year experience in finance, including banking, treasury, private equity and VC.
Educated as Electrical engineer and focused on investments in the field of telecoms, tech and biotech.
CEO of HS Orka. Former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Alcoa worldwide.
Has served on the board of various companies and organizations, including chairman of The Iceland Chamber of Commerce (2009-2012), board member for The Federation of Icelandic Industries (2005-2011) and executive board member for Europe Aluminium, Eurometaux and Business Europe.