Browse through our history
Starting an own business enterprise was the only way to fully develop the exploratory spirit, creativity and the passion for innovations. After spending a considerate amount of time working in a government-owned corporation, with his wife Mirjana Marchiotti-Ulip’s great support and his brother’s loan, Ivan Marchiotti began an adventure of arranging the company’s workspace and acquiring the License for manufacture of medical products.
After the Croatian Ministry of Health granted BioGnost the License for manufacture of medical products in the late 1997, the company started manufacturing blood typing serums, our first original products.
Registration of the first stamp
BioGnost’s first stamp (BIOGNOST) is registered and trademarked with the Croatian Intellectual Property Office.
The beginnings of BioGnost’s team
During this phase of BioGnost’s rise Doctor Marchiotti has been assembling a loyal team of associates whose sets of skills, experience and knowledge have all been transformed into new production lines and sales ranges. The production of tests for detecting drugs, determining pregnancy, metabolites of narcotics and infectious diseases started during this period.
After obtaining the permit for registering the stamp, we trademarked the products we market under the names MonoGnost and GraviGnost. We arranged product distributions with companies such as Dominion Biologicals, Immucor, Sanquin and Gamma Biologicals.
First distributions
Our sales range expansion began after we had arranged product distributions with companies such as Dominion Biologicals, Immucor, Sanquin and Gamma Biologicals. Distribution of equipment and expendables used in transfusion medicine is arranged with companies such as JMS, Heamoscope, Fujirebio, Mak-System, Mobile Designs, Barkey, LMB and Centron.
In order to inform our business partners about the upcoming change of the telephone number, we designed a funny message that can be seen on the timeline.
We are the proud laureates of the Hrvatska kuna Award which is the result of good business performance.
8th Association of Pharmacists of the Zagreb region Conference
Under the patronage of Croatian Ministry of Health, that year’s pharmacists’ counseling program dealt with treating drug addictions and pharmacy practice. Along lectures held by esteemed experts regarding fighting drug addiction, we highlight Mirjana Marchiotti-Ulip’s (our Member of the Board) lecture “The necessity of integrated care of addicts”. We are also proud of our Chairman’s lecture “Street drugs – illustrated and explained”.
New illegal drugs spread constantly among the youth. That is why Doctors Marchiotti and Sakoman gave interviews for Večernji list in which they shared new ways of testing for drugs with the general public – AbuGnost domestic drug tests.
Parents can find out if their child is using drugs with the help of our domestic drug tests. Our presence in the media increased after new illegal drugs appeared in Croatia. Jutarnji list published the article about current drug addiction issues. In order to calm the parents down and increase the level of public awareness of drugs among the youth, Doctor Marchiotti explained the way AbuGnost and DOA MultiGnost function and their advantage over other drug testing systems.
Second Hrvatska kuna Award
Our business performance was once again rewarded with the Hrvatska kuna Award.
This was the year our company recorded significant business rise. We founded a representative office in Belgrade, and the quality of our business operations was confirmed by receiving significant awards: the Zlatna kuna award and the Prva hrvatska kuna Award, given to the best Croatian entrepreneurs and managers. We were also listed among the 1% of the most productive Croatian business entities.
New stamps registration
The Croatian Intellectual Property Office issued a permit for registering the following stamps: AbuGnost, ChlamyGnost, CoprohemoGnost, DOA MultiGnost, HepaGnost, GlukoGnost, OnkoGnost, OvuGnost, StreptoGnost, SyphiGnost, UlcoGnost and UriGnost.
ISO 9001 System Quality Management
The outstanding business performance and received awards encouraged us to implement the ISO 9001 quality management certificate.
Illegal drugs in traffic brochure
As a part of the National Road Traffic Safety Program and in cooperation with the Ministry of the interior, we published the brochure “Illegal drugs in traffic – influence of addictive drugs on safety in traffic”.
Cooperation with the SEEA
In order to perfect our knowledge and exchange experience on a regional level regarding various kinds of addictions, we started cooperation with the SEEA organization (South Eastern European and Adriatic Addiction Network).
Investing in the future
Purchasing the lot for building a factory was the next step in the long-term plan of investing in the company. We are strengthening our resilience toward the strong business influence from China and India.
During the 8th National Conference on Economy and Entrepreneurship held under the patronage of the Government of the Republic Croatia, we received the Ministry of Economy’s award for being the best small Croatian business enterprise in 2004.
ARCA 2004
The first International (and second National) Innovation Exhibition ARCA 2004 brought us our first great success – the gold medal for our diagnostic devices. This innovative method of determining hemoglobin concentration level increased the quality level of controlling donors’ blood, and it provided cheaper and simpler testing for Croatian hospitals and the Croatian Institute for transfusion medicine.
By having implemented a new quality standard, our business processes were standardized and in turn made it possible for us to achieve better results, easier adapting and training new members of staff, more efficient planning and control, as well as monitoring and praising the employees.
Being the main sponsor of the 3rd European Day of the Entrepreneur 2006 (EDE), T-Mobile awarded us with 40,000 kn. Among 150 registered small and medium-sized companies, BioGnost was voted the third most perspective company. During this phase of our development, we were hiring 13 employees, and our production line consisted of over 100 different diagnostic devices. There were 20 products registered with the Croatian Intellectual Property Office. We started doing business in the Croatian, Slovenian and Bosnian and Herzegovinian markets. Our representative office in Belgrade (covering Serbian and Montenegrin markets) began a successful cooperation with the National Poison Control Center (Military Medical Academy in Belgrade).
New production lines and sales range
We introduced a new microbiology program based on our own manufacture and producing tests for determining hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, syphilis, Helicobacter pylori, mononucleosis, influenza, streptococcus and rota and adeno viruses. We started distributing products of companies such as CHROMagar, HiMedia Laboratories, HemoStat Laboratories, Rovers Medical Devices and Microgen Bioproducts. We are also developing the histopathology program which is comprised of our own brand of glass slides (VitroGnost), as well as products of companies such as Bio-Optica, Diapath, Simport, AbD Serotec and Biocare Medical.
Stamps registration
The Croatian Intellectual Property Office issues the permit and we further expand our list by registering HEMOGNOST and VITROGNOST.
In cooperation with the Croatian Ministry of Health, The Official Gazette and the Croatian Post we participated in the National Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. Our HemoGnost tests can determine occult bleeding in stool and help with early detection of malignant digestive tract diseases, that is asymptomatic colorectal cancer found in patients over 50 years of age.
We participated in the Gazela project organized by the media company Business.hr, along with its partners. We received grants from the Ministry of Economy for the following projects:
– “Making the small business enterprise more competitive” (23,000 kn);
– “Presenting the Croatian economy in the foreign markets” (150,000 kn);
– “Innovations and new products” (32,000 kn)
Participants and bronze sponsors of the First Croatian Association of Laboratory Medicine Congress
The First Croatian Association of Laboratory Medicine Congress was held under the patronage of the Croatian Ministry of Health and The Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia. Our associates constantly advance their knowledge and exchange experience from the fields of histopathology, microbiology, transfusiology, cytology, hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology and molecular biology.
The Second Croatian Association of Laboratory Medicine Congress was held in April in Mali Lošinj under the patronage of the Croatian Ministry of Health and The Academy of Medical Sciences of Croatia. Our associates constantly advance their knowledge and exchange experience from the fields of histopathology, microbiology, transfusiology, cytology, hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology and molecular biology.
Together against drugs project
In order to educate the population about preventing the illegal drugs, we cooperated with the Croatian Ministry of the Interior and published a handbook for parents called “Protiv droge zajedno” (“Together against drugs”).
The Gazela project awards
We participated in the Gazela project organized by the media company Business.hr, along with its partners. We received grants from the Ministry of Economy for the “Women in entrepreneurship” project (41,000 kn).
Our business expansion made it possible for us to employ eight young experts in the fields of biomedicine, the IT sector, design and economy and marketing. The Croatian Intellectual Property Office issued permits for registering the following stamps: ADENOGNOST, BIOCARB, BIOCLEAR, BIOGRAM, BIOFIX, BIOFORM, BIOMOUNT, BIONENE, BIOPROTECTA, BIOSOFT, BIOSPRAY, BIOSTAIN, BIOSWAB, CITOFIX, CITOGNOST, CITOSPRAY, DEHEMATIN and ROTAGNOST.
BioGnost S founded
The next step in the market expansion was the founding of BioGnost S, the sister company with its headquarters in Belgrade, Serbia.
Veterinary medicine sales range
New sales range consisting of rapid veterinary tests represents a new market challenge. High quality and reliable CaniGnost rapid tests for detecting canine diseases and FeliGnost rapid tests for detecting feline diseases make veterinarian’s work more advanced and easier.
“Ljudevit Jurak” symposium
“News in pathohistological technology”, a two-day expert conference, was held at the 22nd International symposium of comparative pathology “Ljudevit Jurak”. We presented innovative products from our histology and microscopy sales ranges.
The Gazela project awards
We participated in the Gazela project organized by the media company Business.hr, along with its partners. We received grants from the Ministry of Economy for the following projects:
– “Making the small business enterprise more competitive” (150,000 kn)
– “Women in entrepreneurship” (80,000 kn)
– “Being competitive through innovations” (60,000 kn)
Our company’s values are reflected through our employees’ everyday conduct. One of those values is expanding our product lines and sales range, as well as highlighting our role on the international market. This is the reason we founded BioGnost BH, the second sister company with its headquarters in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first meeting of three BioGnost companies resulted in the new development strength – synergy for the future, based on the ever-growing networking of our employees, essential for the image and integrity of the company.
21st Regional ISBT Congress 2011
Being among 2000 experts from 97 countries, BioGnost’s representatives seized the opportunity to participate at the 21st Regional ISBT Congress, held in Lisbon. The congress was an extraordinary occasion to exchange experience and news from different areas of transfusion medicine.
Move to a new commercial and manufacturing building (located at Medjugorska 59) on 16 April 2012 is one of the milestones in 14 years of BioGnost’s history. That move marked the accomplishment of the most important plan for the year 2012. BioGnost moved from seven detached locations at Center for Small Business Savica Šanci and that opened the door for business activities that were not possible earlier, such as selling medicinal products and producing sterile medical devices. The move also marked a significant shift in BioGnost’s public image, sparked new enthusiasm and enabled more quality production and bigger production capacity. This event is also extremely significant for the company’s future development; it is the basis of all the future goals and both short-term and mid-term development plans. Beside two separate areas intended for chemical and sterile production, the building also has big storage rooms (both room temperature and +4°C), as well as modern offices for administrative-commercial business.
For the first time BioGnost had the opportunity to be among 4641 exhibiting companies from 66 countries and to present its histopathology, immunohematology and rapid diagnostic tests product ranges at a medical fair of international reputation. Our representatives shared their experience and knowledge with visitors and representatives of other companies. Owing to clearly envisioned ideas of presenting the products and the company, many contacts with foreign companies were made and grounds for future successful business cooperations were established. Our histopathology range attracted the most attention by our visitors.
Republic of Croatia’s President’s visit
After visiting our production and research departments accompanied by Dr. Marchiotti, the Chairman of the Board, President Dr. Ivo Josipović was extremely pleased with the work and results that the company had accomplished. He also stated that the company was the example of a successful combination of domestic effort, investment, development and innovation that achieved noticeable results in both domestic and foreign markets, while Croatia’s accession to the EU brings the prospect of new business successes.
BioGnost’s covering media are have the refractive index similar to the one of glass slides and cover slips, which in turn enables a clear and detailed image of the sample by rays of light passing through homogenous system. BioGnost offers a large range of BioMount covering media based on variety of used polymers, their solvents and viscosity; this satisfies all the priorities and needs of trained personnel for making histology and cytology sections. Lower viscosity BioMount media can be used in automated coverslippers.
Perfected manufacture of 8 different immersion oils for microscopy analysis of prepared samples
BioGnost’s immersion oils are developed in accordance with ISO 8036-1 standard that guarantees ideal amount of light dispersion and refractive index (nD @ 23 °C = 1.5150). Each product bears the CE mark, certificate that proves the product is in accordance with the EU standards.
Medica Fair held in Düsseldorf in 2014
BioGnost seized the opportunity to exhibit products from their histopathology, immunohematology and rapid diagnostic tests sales ranges for the second time at an international medical fair. Our sales representatives shared their experiences and knowledge with visitors and representatives of other companies. We met with existing business partners in order to refresh and enhance mutual business cooperation. Owing to clearly designed ideas on presenting the products and the company itself, we achieved many contacts with foreign companies and laid foundation for successful future cooperation. The visitors were interested in our histopathology sales range the most.
BioGnost exhibited products from their histopathology, immunohematology and rapid diagnostic tests sales ranges for the third time at an international medical fair. We met with existing business partners in order to refresh and enhance mutual business cooperation.
A new product developed – CryoFix Gel
Embedding medium for cryostat sectioning in different colors. CryoFix Gel contains a mixture of polymers soluble in water. Freezing temperature of the mixture is optimal for sectioning on a cryostat. Colored media enable easier visualization of embedded samples and organization of work.
Development of new histopathology diagnostic reagents is a project that will help BioGnost develop a range of 10 applicable special staining kits for histopathology. BioGnost has been manufacturing and marketing medical devices since 1997 and manufactures more than 100 histopathology reagents in cooperation with Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Institute for Pathology located in Sisters of Charity Hospital, the first Croatian pathology institute with a century worth of experience. The value of the project amounts to 305,000€, and it is being co-financed with funds provided by the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) as a part of the third IRCRO program cycle in 60:40 ratio (BioGnost:IRCRO). The project will last for 18 months. In total of 9 BioGnost’s employees will be involved, as well as a team from Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Institute for Pathology (Sisters of Charity Hospital).
BioGnost’s first OEM manufacture
BioGnost started OEM manufacture for the first time for a foreign client; it included around 20 different products. We take pride that the quality of our products has been recognized. BioGnost offers the possibility to place your company’s name, logo, and contact information on our products. You can also use your own design, or we can create it for you.
POC Project – expiry date extension and preservation of color of blood supplements to microbiology culture media
BioGnost has been manufacturing and marketing supplements for preparing microbiology culture media based on animal (horse and sheep) blood for several years. They are being used for preparation of most widely used media in medical microbiology diagnostics – blood agars. Main technological constraint of those products (supplements) is their short shelf life (4 weeks). This project studies the assumption that saturation using carbon monoxide and suitable nutrient solution can significantly prolong shelf life of the product (>50%) while preserving all the biological properties important for adequate microorganisms growth and diagnostic applicability of blood agar it is being implemented into. In total 6 BioGnost’s employees will be involved in the project, experts from medical, veterinary and biology fields of expertize, as well as one external associate – microbiology expert. The value of the project amounts to 41,000€ and it will last for 6 months. The project is being co-financed with funds provided by the Croatian Agency for SMEs, Innovations and Investments (HAMAG-BICRO) as a part of the sixth Innovative concept for entrepreneurs check (PoC Private) program cycle.
CEKOM Project
Competence centers (CEKOM) are individual (networked) subjects guided by the needs of the industry, developed for providing assistance in enlarging the business sector capacity (mainly of small and middle companies that lack their own capacities for research and development), in order to conduct research and development projects (especially those aimed at development and applied researches, as well as making the results commercially viable) in accordance with fields listed in the Smart specialization strategy of the Republic of Croatia. Their main goal is to make the business sector more competitive through investments in research and development, as well as investing more in research and development by the business sector. Using the CEKOM Project, BioGnost plans to develop a new sales immunohistochemistry sales range and subsequently its first product named LeukoGnost…
Medica Fair in Düsseldorf
BioGnost exhibited products from their histopathology, immunohematology and rapid diagnostic tests sales ranges for the fourth time at an international medical fair. We met with existing business partners in order to refresh and enhance mutual business cooperation.
