The course is based on research developed within the RealHope project, funded by the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2, and supported by the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. It will equip you with the knowledge to understand the lifecycle of biologics—from lab to patient—emphasizing both scientific principles and practical applications.

You will explore:

• The fundamentals of biologics, including their molecular complexity and therapeutic potential.
• Formulation strategies that ensure safety, efficacy, and patient convenience, covering excipients, delivery devices, and packaging considerations.
• Stability challenges unique to protein pharmaceuticals, such as aggregation, chemical degradation, and sensitivity to temperature, light, and mechanical stress.
• Delivery methods, including injection routes and barriers to oral administration, with a focus on improving bioavailability and patient compliance.
• Real-world handling, transport, and in-use stability, ensuring biologics maintain their integrity from manufacturing to administration.

Target group

The course is designed for professionals and students in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. University educators can use the material in their teaching.

Practical

The course contains nine sections:

• What are biological drugs
• The delivery and safety of biologics
• Protein structure key for function and safety
• Stability issues for protein pharmaceuticals
• Specification for a biological product
• Formulation of biologics
• Risk related to handling of protein biological drugs in real life
• Transport of biologics
• In-use stability studies

Each section consists of two parts:

• Learning material: Here you can watch a video or read a PowerPoint presentation. They both contain the same information.
• Quiz: Here you can test your knowledge.

The course is in English.

Registration

The course is free of charge as it has been developed with financial support. You can register by clicking this link.

Soil Microbiome and Functional Diversity

AGROSOIL explores how soil microbial communities contribute to weed suppression and ecosystem resilience. Greenhouse and field experiments assess microbial taxa involved in weed seed decay and crop–weed interactions. Functional traits of weed species are analyzed to understand how AEWM influences community composition and ecological functions.

Socio-Economic Evaluation

The project conducts social life cycle assessments and cost–benefit analyses to evaluate the viability of AEWM strategies. Stakeholder perspectives are integrated through workshops, surveys, and interviews, ensuring that proposed solutions are both ecologically effective and economically feasible.

Expected Impact

AGROSOIL contributes to the European Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals by:

• Reducing chemical inputs and soil degradation.
• Enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Supporting long-term adoption of agroecological practices.
• Providing open-access data and tools for research and policy development.

Partners and Funder

AGROSOIL is led by the Julius Kühn Institute in Germany. In addition to RISE, participating partners include the University of Lleida (UCL), the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Wageningen University and Research (WUR & WR), and the National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIACSIC).

AGROSOIL is an EU partnership project initiated by the Agroecological Partnership, but funded by each participating member state. In Sweden, the funding is provided by FORMAS.

The blue value chain

Marine resources are renewable but inherently limited, so it is crucial to use whatever we harvest as efficiently as possible. In Sweden, about 26,000 tons of seafood processing residuals are generated each year. Today, only half of the side stream biomass from fisheries and seafood processing are, at best, used for low-value purposes such as feed.

At RISE, we can help any actor along the value chain: from seafood and (micro)algae producers that desire increased revenue on their side streams; to product and brand owners that want to replace their fossil-based feedstock with a blue sustainable counterpart or are searching for the next generation functional or bioactive materials

In our flagship initiative MAREFINE, we have brought experts from all parts of RISE to valorize; shrimp, algae, and fish, into high value cosmetic, nutraceutical, textile, and medtech products. A key technology is the biorefinery, intended to extract as many of the valuable components from the biomass as possible. Here, RISE offers both small lab scale testing and full pilot and demo scale refinery processes. To ensure that the refinery and valorization process are both economically and environmentally sustainable, we offer continuous life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic evaluations throughout the development. At the Kristineberg Marine Research and Innovation Centre in Fiskebäckskil, RISE is part of a large testbed that helps companies to develop new innovative blue value chains.

From marine resource to high value product

RISE has expertise and experience to extract and valorize a range of functional and bioactive components from various types of marine biomasses. Key examples include:

• Chitin & Chitosan – polysaccharides obtained from crustacean shells, e.g., shrimp and crab
• Alginate – a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds (kelp), e.g., Laminaria digitata.
• Ulvan – a bioactive sulfated polysaccharide extracted from green seaweeds (sea lettuce), e.g., Ulva fenestrata
• Fucoidan – a bioactive sulfated complex polysaccharide from brown seaweeds (kelp), e.g., Saccharina latissima.
• Carrageenan – a sulfated polysaccharide from red seaweeds (sea moss), e.g., Chondrus crispus
• Collagen, gelatine and collagen hydrolysate – a fibrous bioactive protein from fish waste (skins, bones, scales) or other animal by-products
• Byssus (“sea silk”) – a proteinaceous fiber produced by mussels
• Diatom frustules – the mesoporous silica shells from diatoms, i.e., microalgae
• Chrysolaminarin – a neutral polysaccharide produced by microalgae to store energy
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids – bioactive lipids, e.g. omega 3 (EPA and DHA) produced by macro- and microalgae and found in fish
• Pigments – e.g. fucoxanthin and astaxanthin found in both macro- and microalgae as well as crustacean shells.

We develop our high value prototypes and products from the extracted marine components using a battery of manufacturing methods. With respect to textiles for fashion, wound dressings, nutraceuticals, drug delivery vehicles, and scaffolds for regenerative medicine, our key techniques include: 

• Solution spinning  – RISE has expertise in wet-spinning of biopolymers, from lab, pilot, to demo scale. Our workshop in Mölndal encompasses the entire value chain: from fiber development; via either continuous filaments or staple fibers including; cutting, crimping, carding, and yarn spinning; to knitted textiles.
• Solution blowing – A nonwoven fabrication technique that combines the versatility of electrospinning with the scalability of melt blowing. Can be used to design wound dressing, superabsorbents, filtration, and biomimicking tissue engineering scaffolds.
• Formulations and controlled release – many bioactive ingredients from marine biomass (e.g. antioxidant pigments from algae, fish oils, vitamins, and bioactive peptides) are most useful when encapsulated for protection and/or controlled delivery. In other cases, the marine-derived component can constitute the entire drug delivery vehicle. RISE’s formulation scientists develop emulsification, dispersion, coating, and encapsulation techniques to formulate sensitive substances in creams, gels, and micro- or nanoparticles.
• 3D-Bioprinting – RISE is actively exploring 3D-printing of biomaterials, particularly for medical and life science applications. Our technology is used to combine living cells with biological or synthetic materials to build tissue-like structures. 

We further offer full characterization of the products in terms of mechanical performance, chemical safety, and accredited testing of biological function in vitro and in vivo. Please contact us for more information.

Land-based aquaculture and seafood industries consume large amounts of water and thus also generate a wide range of residual water streams of varying quantity and quality. Some are extremely rich in salt and nutrients, such as phosphate, nitrogen and organic carbon. Current methods for wastewater treatment are very expensive and energy-intensive. In addition, valuable nutrients are lost from the food chain, and in the best case are instead used for low-value purposes such as biogas. At the same time, the demand for new and sustainable resources for the production of food, materials and energy is increasing.

Cultivation of microalgae in wastewater streams could solve this dual problem. Microalgae are microscopic organisms that have a unique ability to carry out photosynthesis and efficiently convert dissolved nutrients into biomass in the form of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates and carotenoids.

The specific aims of SEAlgaePower are to optimize pilot-scale algae cultivation and wastewater cleaning; develop biorefinery protocols for protein, lipid, and carbohydrate recovery from the microalgal biomass; and to develop microalgae-based product prototypes and ingredients in a bioprospecting manner. RISE will here focus specifically on the development of fiber-based materials for wound healing and regenerative medicine using high molecular weight carbohydrates and proteins as well as on the encapsulation of bioactive lipids, pigments, and peptides.

Using bioelectrochemistry, the project will establish innovative bio-based value chains that convert underutilised C5 sugars, abundant in Sweden’s biomass, into furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a key precursor for bio-based polymers (for instance in PEF).

Traditionally, FDCA is produced from C6 sugars via energy-intensive processes. In contrast, FUSE will valorise C5 sugars via bio-electrochemical and enzymatic routes, offering a sustainable alternative. The enzymatic route also incorporates CO₂ valorisation, contributing to reduced carbon emissions. Both approaches are designed to operate under mild conditions with nature-inspired catalysts (enzymes and electrochemical systems), resulting in no toxic by-products and potential negative CO₂ emissions.

Furthermore, the project addresses the life cycle impact assessment of these novel pathways, which remain largely unexplored. By tapping into C5 sugars and CO₂, FUSE seeks to reshape the current landscape of furan production and offer truly circular, bio-based alternatives.

Purpose and objectives 

• Develop sustainable, bio-based value chains for furan platform chemicals.
• Establish bio-electrochemical and enzymatic conversion methods for FDCA from C5 sugars.
• Integrate CO₂ valorisation into the enzymatic pathway to reduce emissions.
• Evaluate the environmental and life cycle assessment of the proposed processes.
• Demonstrate scalable processes under real-world conditions.

RISE role and mission  

RISE plays a central role in both the biotechnological and electrochemical components of the project.

• The enzymatic conversion will be scaled up and demonstrated on-site.
• The electrochemical processes will be carried out entirely at the dedicated electrochemical platformat in RISE pilothall in Örnsköldsvik.

Developing fermented foods with functional properties requires specialised expertise, resources and rigorous testing. Without access to the right laboratories, pilot plants or the expertise needed to address everything from microbiological safety to sensory quality and regulatory requirements, promising projects risk being more expensive, taking longer or not reaching the market at all. Moreover, in an uncertain world, where global supply chains are under pressure, the demand for robust, localised and circular food systems is increasing. New fermentation-based solutions could therefore be crucial to secure the food supply of the future.

Optimised traditional fermentation or modern precision fermentation also opens up new business opportunities in the food and chemical industries, for example:

• Sustainable protein production
• Improved plant-based products
• Value creation from by-products
• New functional ingredients
• Modernisation of traditional foods

RISE provides independent expert support throughout the value chain

RISE offers the scientific weight and practical experience required to realise ideas in functional fermentation - from early concept phase to full-scale production. As a neutral player, our focus is on offering cutting-edge expertise throughout the development process.

Together we take a holistic approach to product development 

RISE offers expert support in microbiology, biochemistry, process technology, nutrition, product design and sensory science to develop and optimise fermentation processes. Whether the goal is new proteins, better flavour in plant-based products or longer shelf life, we can contribute throughout the development chain. We also work on strain development, including screening and evolution, to find or improve microorganisms with the right properties for your application. From lab to pilot production, we ensure that processes comply with applicable regulations - for a smoother route to market.

Our services

RISE offers support throughout the value chain for fermented products. Examples of our services include:

• Idea and concept development: identification of opportunities in raw material flows or side streams and selection of the right fermentation strategy for best results.
• Strain development: identification, adaptation or improvement of microorganisms to optimise characteristics that are important for the current need.
• Process development and scale-up: Extensive expertise and infrastructure for development, optimisation and scale-up - from lab to 10 m³ scale in a food-grade environment
• Product development through fermentation and enzymatic processes: Development of novel foods or ingredients based on microbial fermentation and enzymatic transformation.
• Microbiological profiling and safety analysis: Identification and optimisation of microorganisms, as well as comprehensive testing to ensure food safety and product quality.
• Sensory, shelf-life testing and regulatory alignment: Sensory evaluations (flavour, aroma, texture), shelf-life testing, and guidance to ensure that the product complies with all relevant regulations.
• Business development and strategic support: Advice on business model, market strategy and positioning for fermented products, to ensure the commercial success of your venture.
• Regulatory and quality: Our regulatory experts help navigate through legal requirements and authorisations.

All services are integrated into a coherent offer where we adapt to your specific needs. Whether you are in the early stages of research or ready to scale up an established process, we can step in where needed and contribute to the next step.

Contact us for further discussion

Would you like to know more about how functional fermentation can strengthen your business? Contact us to discuss your needs and ideas. Our team of experts will help you go from idea to sustainable, market-ready product - with a focus on your business benefits.