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PEP-Therapy is a French biotechnology company developing peptides as targeted therapies in oncology. Based on the company’s Cell Penetrating and Interfering Peptides (CP&IP) technology, these innovative molecules penetrate cells and specifically block relevant intracellular protein-protein interactions, leading to the inhibition of key pathological mechanisms without altering physiological mechanisms.

PEP-010, first CP&IP-based drug candidate, is a pro-apoptotic agent which dissociates the interaction between Caspase-9 and PP2A, two key proteins in the apoptotic pathway. Caspase-9, when released, can be activated, restoring normal apoptosis (physiological cell death) in cancer cells. PEP-010 has demonstrated anti-tumor efficacy in a number of pre-clinical models and was shown to inhibit tumor growth in breast and ovary Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) tumor models by up to 85 %. Additive effects of PEP-010 in combination with chemotherapies were also observed. Due to these positive preclinical data and the observed good safety profile, PEP-010 is currently being evaluated in a Phase Ia/b clinical trial in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic solid tumors. The trial is conducted in partnership with two leading European cancer centers, Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy, and at François Baclesse center.

To learn more about this company, visit: PEP-Therapy

The Sulfotools GmbH was founded in March 2016 by the interdisciplinary team of scientists from TU Darmstadt. The vision of Sulfotools: The development of the future green peptide synthesis.

Each year the peptide industry requires tens of thousand tons of hazardous, expensive organic solvents for the manufacturing of peptides. The use of such solvents is associated with significant health and environmental risks. The most commonly used organic solvent, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), is toxic and teratogenic and classified as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) by the European Chemicals Directive REACH.

The Clean Peptide Technology (CPT) developed by Sulfotools offers a state-of-the-art alternative peptide manufacturing process: thanks to this new technology, toxic hazardous organic solvents can be completely replaced with water – finally combining sustainability with cost optimization. This makes the CPT very attractive for the pharmaceutical, chemical, and cosmetics industries while at the same time being beneficial for humans and the environment.

To learn more about this company, visit: Sulfotools

CasInvent Pharma, a.s., has been established as a Masaryk University (MU) spin-off in cooperation with the investment partner i&i Prague, s.r.o. (Ltd). Its goal is to develop a new treatment for leukaemia, lymphoma and solid tumours, using selective inhibitors of Casein Kinase 1 (CK1), an enzyme responsible for the migration of leukaemia cells into lymphoid organs.

The research groups of Vítězslav Bryja and Kamil Paruch from the Faculty of Science MU have a long-standing expertise in the research of CK1 biology and chemistry of kinase inhibitors, respectively. The scientific teams of the Bryja and Paruch research groups will advance their research, in collaboration with CasInvent Pharma, to further develop the compounds that significantly decrease or completely inhibit the activity of CK1 and can be used to treat leukaemia and other types of cancer. Specifically, the target indication of the inhibitors are B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and the Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Other indications susceptible to the targeting of the interactions in the microenvironment, regulation of apoptosis as well as inhibition of the migration mechanisms will also be investigated.

CasInvent Pharma will leverage this expertise and the licensed patent-protected IP to continue the development of the promising results into the preclinical and later also clinical stages.

 To learn more about this company: CasInvent

PerioTrap develops an innovative anti-infective drug for the curative treatment of periodontitis, an inflammatory gum disease caused by specific bacteria. Although this is a common indication associated with a range of comorbidities currently concerning around 30% of the global population, there is no effective treatment on the market yet. Moreover, the most relevant therapy option to date is a painful procedure consisting of the manual removal of plaque within the dental pockets followed by cleansing using either antiseptic solutions or broad spectrum antibiotics. This however leads to various side effects. Besides the potential development of antimicrobial resistances, the current treatment also results in the destruction of the protective biofilm which usually functions as a natural protective layer.

Therefore, PerioTrap develops locally applied small molecule drugs that address a new target, which is only present within the pathogenic bacteria, but will not affect commensals. Thus, pathogens within the biological flora of the dental pocket will be selectively removed without affecting the protective biofilm. Furthermore, a local long-term release of our formulation will maintain its physiological function by preventing a pathogenic recolonization of the dental pockets which typically causes the reoccurrence of periodontitis. Accordingly, PerioTrap aims to eradicate the root of the disease and to ultimately restore patient confidence.

To learn more about this company on PerioTrap

building blocks of BIOLOGIC

To learn more about this company: xenocells.com

LAM-X a.s. is the newest company established in cooperation with i&i Prague. It develops light-activated nanomaterials which provide protection from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. The lead product is a nanomembrane that generates singlet oxygen upon activation by visible light.

LAM-X a.s. was once again great example of cooperation between academia and private sector. Its technology comes from Charles University in Prague and was established in cooperation with i&i Prague and Charles University Innovations Prague, s.r.o. after many months of incubation on 20th January 2020.

LAM-X a.s. biggest advantage is that the technology doesn´t use silver ions, antibiotics nor any kind of special light. Its ability to self-sterilize also allows reuse of the membrane which decreases the amount of produced waste. The LAM-X platform technology can be used in the fight against infections that are caused by surface-transmitted pathogens found in hospitals, sanitation facilities, food and water production factories. Unlike antibiotics, which target specific cell parts, the singlet oxygen approach is quick and rather nonspecific, making it impossible for microbes to develop resistance mechanism.

In response to the current #covid19 situation, the LAM-X adapted its R&D strategy and began developing self-sterilizing filters usable as “active layers” of face masks and respirators. To increase production capacity, LAM-X a.s. started cooperation with the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation of the Technical University of Liberec.

To learn more, contact their website:

https://lam-x.tech/

One of the first project i&i Prague participated in is Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Dracen itself started as an international science team at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB Prague) and Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, USA). The scientific team prepared and tested new substances for cancer treatment that are effective through stopping the metabolism of glutamine.

i&i Prague joined in this spin-off company early summer of 2017 as a co-investor. This investment opportunity and quality of the technology itself attracted investors supporting the development of these new drugs in the amount of more than $40 millions including the leading investor Deerfield. Dracen is a now a private pharmaceutical company focused on treating cancers by directly shrinking tumors and remodeling the tumor microenvironment to make it more conducive to immuno-oncology approaches, to gain greater disease control, increase anti-tumor responses and extend patient survival in areas of unmet need.

Dracen Pharmaceuticals is a great example of how an academic cooperation between renowned research facilities led to a functional spin-off which attracted major investors. Right now the Dracen Pharmaceuticals develops the lead candidate, DRP-104 on its way through the pre-clinical to clinical testing. Similarly to many patients, we believe they will reach another milestone soon.

To learn more about this technology: www.dracenpharma.com

Elphogene, s.r.o. is a Czech spin-off company that succeeds decades of intensive research performed at Genomac research centre as well as thanks to collaborations with leading oncology centres. Using their technology oncoMonitor™ – a diagnostic tool based on so-called liquid biopsy – Elphogene brings a non-invasive screening of patients in advanced stages colorectal cancer. Biggest advantages of oncoMonitor™ technology are its speed and accuracy in diagnosing possible relaps of the tumor growth after a successful surgery.

Elphogene s.r.o. has received an initial investment from i&i Prague in order to implement its oncoMonitor™ for a diagnostic monitoring screening of ctDNA in peripheral blood of patients in advanced stages of cancer. The company has been founded at the beginning of 2019 as a spin-off from the Genomac Research Institute, a leading Czech private research center widely recognized for its strong record of scientific projects in clinical cancer genomics.

The purpose of the oncoMonitor™ test is a follow-up of patients in advanced stages of cancer for early detection of newly arising metastatic lesions. The technology is capable of capturing ctDNA in up to 88% of patients with advanced colorectal cancer with the presence of liver metastases which is more accurate  and lacking the negative impact on health (such as radioactive doses) than current approaches (ultrasonography, magnetic resonance, and especially X-ray examination and computed tomography – CT).

​ To learn more about this technology: elphogene.cz

RIOCATH Global, a.s., a company established in collaboration with IOCB Tech, has developed a revolutionary type of catheter based on world-unique technology applicable for all tubular medical devices. Since its birth in 2014, the Riocath team has been cooperating with the IOCB Prague Development Center (http://dc.uochb.cz/). The company is financed by private investors who already invested more multiple millions EUR in the invention development. i&i Prague is among shareholders and supports the Riocath team in its business development activities, IPR protection and partnering.

One of the first clinically significant applications of the RIOCATH technology is Rectal tube RIOCATH (https://www.nabolavebrisko.cz/en/home-page/) for babies which entered a market in late 2019. Furthermore, the new urinary catheter based on the RIOCATH design and principle should enter market soon. The RIOCATH design can greatly reduce the risk of introducing infection into the body as well as the trauma of sensitive tissues, mainly faced by patients who use these devices repeatedly.

The double-skinned RIOCATH catheters application ensure, that the casing of the catheter does not move through the inside (such as the urethra) as is common with all other catheters, but the outer casing of the catheter is unpacked at the top of the catheter and gradually lengthens the wall around the perimeter. This principle prevents damages and insertion of infection in the patient body.

To learn more about this company: Riocath website