Xbrane Biosciences has used E. coli and developed a method for regulating the speed of protein production. The next step is to use the technology to rapidly produce vaccines.

Olink sells test tubes with frozen reagent fluids. Among other things, the products can be used for detecting proteins and interactions between proteins in cells.

Diabetes Tools sells technical solutions to diagnose and regulate doses for diabetics. In 2009, the company won Ny Teknik’s ‘Stora Teknikpriset’ award for the most promising technology.

Nanologica develops new porous materials, sometimes in collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry.

Synthetic MR’s technology shortens the time of MRI scans. The company is now entering into partnerships with three camera manufacturers.

Other life science companies on the list are:

Denator sells solutions to stabilise and ensure the quality of samples, resulting in better packaging options. Among the buyers are universities and companies but there is also a huge potential customer in hospitals looking for storage for tumour samples, for example.

Lumina Adhesives develops light-sensitive adhesives that can be used for medical applications. The adhesive attaches in the dark and comes off in the light. The first product is expected this year; a colostomy bag that is manufactured in collaboration with a larger partner.

More than 250 companies were nominated for the list. The criteria are that companies should build on technological solutions, have existed for less than seven years and be considered to have potential to be economically successful. There is no ranking between the companies on the list.

Although a number of CEOs at the 33 companies admit to having suffered from the recession, many companies have had investment during the past year and are considered as hopes for the future.