Our History

Biomay was established in 1984 by immunologists from the former Medical Department of the University of Vienna (now Medical University of Vienna). Dietrich Kraft, Professor at the Institute of Pathophysiology and a pioneer in recombinant allergen technology, was the founder and scientific driver. From the very beginning, Biomay was privately owned and focused on the research, development and commercialization of recombinant allergens. In the late 1980-ies, Biomay succeeded in cloning and expression of the recombinant birch pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2. Later, numerous recombinant allergens from trees, grass, weeds, foods, moulds and latex followed. A laboratory for the production of recombinant allergens was set up.

Around 1995, Biomay started to work on innovative concepts using recombinant allergens for specific immunotherapy (SIT) of allergic diseases – which has become the main focus of present activities. Starting from 2001, the increasing commercial interest in recombinant allergens resulted in license agreements with leading companies in the fields of allergy diagnostics and therapy, followed by the initiation of clinical trials by license partners. In 2004, the company moved from the Campus Vienna Biocenter to its present facility at the Vienna Competence Center, a life sciences cluster near the Medical University of Vienna.

During 2006 and 2007, the “Austrian Allergy Cluster” was formed around Biomay, which concentrates considerable R & D capabilities in four government backed Christian Doppler Laboratories: three at the Medical University of Vienna and one at the University of Salzburg. In 2007, Biomay´s manufacturing capabilities were enhanced significantly by establishing a GMP production facility, which was certified by the Austrian authorities (AGES) in June 2008. The first GMP product was released by October 2008. Also in 2008, a Biomay licensee successfully completed phase 3 of a clinical trial for an allergy vaccine, using an active ingredient derived from the Biomay technology platform.