Anne finds a new use for DNA tests

During her nine years at SKL, Anne got the idea that the DNA technology used in forensic analysis should be able to be applied for broader purposes.

“I felt that the DNA technology used in advanced crime scene investigations was too good not to be used for other positive purposes in our society”, says Anne Kihlgren.

In 2000, the biochemist therefore started her own company, Dynamic Code in Linköping.

“There are many different areas of use. We started by designing and manufacturing paternity and kinship analyses. Since then, we have increasingly moved towards health tests in a variety of areas, which are available to the public. Using DNA analysis, it is possible to diagnose everything from sexually transmitted diseases to lactose and gluten intolerance”.

The company has around 20 tests that can be purchased through various retailers, mainly pharmacies. The test is then taken in your own home.

“After collecting the sample, it is sent to our laboratory for analysis. The customer then receives the results digitally and it can be used as needed for medication/treatment by a doctor. It is very easy and also very reliable”.

Eases the burden on healthcare providers

Perhaps the most significant are the tests for gluten intolerance.

“Typically, it usually takes up to ten years after submitting samples before a patient receives a diagnosis, particularly for gluten intolerance, in the healthcare system. With our DNA technology, results are sent back within a week”, emphasizes Anne.

Dynamic Code's tests and platform relieve the burden on the healthcare system by eliminating the need to visit the healthcare centre for sample collection when testing for a number of different illnesses.

“The patient receives a test kit and then sends the sample to us. We then send the results to the healthcare provider, who contacts the patient. We do this to facilitate the healthcare process. It also makes it very easy for the doctor, who receives the results by pushing a button on the computer to access our platform and can then, if necessary, start the appropriate treatment”.

When the pandemic hit at the beginning of 2020, Dynamic Code had to kick things up to a whole new level. Then Anne and her team developed a self-test to detect active COVID-19 infection in record time, and became an official partner of the Public Health Agency of Sweden.

“Since we had both the technology and the competence, we were able to act lightning fast. But I would be lying if I didn't say that it was a struggle and a challenge to increase our staff from 19 all the way to around 100 in such a short time, which was a necessity to be able to respond to the huge need that suddenly arose. We recruited for temporary positions, mostly from Linköping University”.

It is not hard to understand why Dynamic Code was later named “Growth company of the year” in Sweden and the Nordics ...

Increased turnover by 1500 percent

“We increased our turnover from SEK 19 million to SEK 278 million that year. Turnover increased by 1500 percent in just three months. It was a bit of a whirlwind and almost a little hard to grasp. There is no doubt that it was the biggest challenge the company has faced to date”.

“I am very happy and proud that we managed to scale up so quickly. And there, I really want to give a lot of credit to our employees, and also everyone who stepped in at short notice and helped us out. This shows the potential we have”, says Anne, who also received a personal award as the female founder of the year in 2020 by Dagens Industri.

After the pandemic, Dynamic Code has settled back to a more normal level of activity and currently has a turnover of around SEK 40 million.

“We are a big player in Sweden, in what we do, and also in Norway and Denmark. Our vision is to also become a leading player in self-health testing in other European countries”.

For the company's exceptional growth and invaluable contribution during the pandemic, Anne was also recognized with Linköpings Näringslivsdiamant award. The prize is awarded by the City of Linköping to the company or company manager who has worked in active collaboration with others, contributed to the development of the city's business community, provided a broader societal benefit and strengthened Linköping’s position as the place where the future is ever-present.

There can be no doubt that Anne is a competent and skilled business leader. For her part, she describes herself as very stubborn.

“I am driven and really passionate about our business. Of course, I have learned a number of lessons along the way, for example, that it is important to always have an ear to the ground if you want to keep up with every turn. We gained a lot of experience during the pandemic that will be useful in the future”, she says.