Výsledky vyhledávání

Licensing agreement for a novel SARS Cov-2 virus neutralization antibody test was signed We are very happy to inform you that i&i Prague has participated on a development of novel in vitro diagnostics test measuring virus neutralization antibodies against SARS Cov-2 in human blood. The project was successfully completed and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) and the Institute of Biotechnology (IBT) have signed an exclusive license agreement with the company Immunotech, the Prague based subsidiary of Beckman Coulter. Read more information on IOCB webpage. 12 mouse monoclonal antibody clones against different domains of SARS Cov-2 Spike protein were generated in this project and are available for research or other use. For more information about the new test and the available antibody clones, contact: Dr. Jiří Moos moos@iniprague.com

Smart bandages not only capture pathogens, but also destroy them in no time. All they need is ordinary light. LAM-X team Hospital-acquired infections are a problem that current technologies are not able to deal with effectively. In the European Union alone they cause around 100,000 deaths each year, with estimates of the costs associated with treatment in the EU around €7 billion per year. However, this could change in the future; the Czech spin-off LAM-X a.s. is working intensively on the development of a nanomaterial that not only passively prevents viruses or bacteria from entering open wounds, but can also actively destroy them. It is made up of nanofibres doped with a photoactive substance which, when activated by ordinary light, eliminates any microbes that are in close proximity to it. Current dressing materials provide a kind of mechanical barrier aimed at suppressing the transmission of infection into the patient's body. However, if the objective is also to destroy the pathogens that cause infections, cover materials containing active silver are available. However, this is potentially toxic to the patient if used for a long time, and over time bacterial strains that may be resistant to this metal emerge. The material from LAM-X a. s. works on a completely different principle. “Our technology works with nanofibres that are hundreds of nanometres in diameter. We use them to create a very dense network that effectively prevents the penetration of pathogens. However, this in itself is not groundbreaking; nanofibre coverings have been produced for some time, although their use is not yet widespread. The added value of our material lies primarily in the fact that we can add a photoactive substance (so-called photosensitizer) to our nanofibres, which, when illuminated with ordinary light, activates a sterilization process that eliminates any bacteria or viruses on the surface of the bandage,” says Roman Chaloupka, CEO of LAM-X a. s. The light-activated photosensitizer can convert virtually ubiquitous molecular oxygen into so-called singlet oxygen, a highly reactive molecule that oxidizes virtually anything that comes in its way. “By using the photooxidation process, we are able to destroy even those pathogens that have already built up resistance to antibiotics or silver. Another huge advantage of our technology is that it eliminates the problem of toxicity of active dressings, which allows their long-term use. The singlet oxygen is generated only on the surface of the nanofibers and, due to its high reactivity, it acts only in close proximity to the nanofibers, so it does not come into contact with the patient's own wound or skin at all. And last but not least, our material is cheaper, as there is no need to use precious metals such as silver in its production,” adds Chaloupka. Bandages, incision films, catheter fixation The development of a second-generation smart bandage with antimicrobial effect is currently moving towards a clinical trial. If its current potential is confirmed, it could help, for example, people with chronic wounds in a few years' time. “More than 50 percent of patients with chronic wounds have been on treatment for more than a year. One reason is that these wounds are repeatedly infected with other bacteria. Our material should prevent this,” says Roman Chaloupka. However, it could be used to treat virtually any wound. A prototype of this type of bandage already exists and is currently being tested preclinically. These are a set of tests that need to be carried out before the product receives the necessary approvals to conduct clinical trials on real patients. Recruitment and follow-up should then take about a year. “By the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 at the latest, we should have the data to certify this dressing material as a medical device and subsequently award the CE mark, which is necessary for placing it on the EU market. At that point, production can begin,” adds Roman Chaloupka. However, dressing materials are only one of the paths LAM-X a.s. wants to take in the use of its technology. “At the moment we are already working on the development of other products, because we are convinced that our technology has a much more versatile application. Our material could be used, for example, to drape an operating field, which would greatly reduce the incidence of bacteria that could get close to an open wound. Even better, they could replace incision films, which are glued directly to the patient's skin to enhance health protection, especially in more time-consuming operations. The increase in cleanliness during surgery using our material should clearly reduce the incidence of post-operative infectious complications,” says Roman Chaloupka, outlining further possibilities. The technology of LAM-X a. s. would also find application in intravenous catheterisation, especially in long-term patients. “Even in this case, doctors struggle with the transfer of bacteria into the bloodstream, which causes serious health complications in the form of infections. If we made the adhesive dressings that fix the catheters to the wound from our material, we could largely prevent infections,” explains Roman Chaloupka. Clinical trials, search for an industrial partner LAM-X a.s. was founded in 2020 thanks to the joint efforts of Charles University and the Academy of Sciences. Specifically, its creation is backed by Charles University Innovations Prague, a subsidiary of Charles University, and the i&i Prague bio-innovation centre. It is currently preparing an investment round to raise funds for the aforementioned clinical trials. “All our products fall into the category of medical devices, the production of which is, of course, highly regulated. In order to obtain the necessary permits, whether in the Czech Republic, the European Union or in non-European countries, we need to collect a large amount of data to confirm the safety and efficacy of the material,” explains Roman Chaloupka of the need for clinical trials. The company would like to use part of the funds raised to equip its own laboratory (including a semi-operational nanofibre production facility) and to develop further products using this technology. However, the plans of LAM-X a. s. do not end there. “After completing all the necessary testing of our wound covers, we would like to launch them on the market through an industrial partner in the form of a large multinational company. We are looking for someone who has been involved in the treatment and healing of wounds for a long time, which means they already have a distribution network and effective marketing. We could then continue to focus on what we do best, i.e. on the development of new products,” concludes Roman Chaloupka, CEO of LAM-X a. s. Conclusion The products that LAM-X a.s. develops are based on unique technology that can help improve the quality of life for millions of people. Thanks to their versatility, they can be used in many areas of healthcare. They are also cheaper to produce in many cases than the materials currently used. It is these attributes that give LAM-X the chance to develop its potential not only in the local market, but also to succeed globally.

From the Lab to the Market: What Biotech Commercialization Looks Like from the Perspective of an Incubator How does starting a company developing a new drug differ from, for example, one focused on IT? What can convince an investor to join such a company? Why should a scientist embark on the commercialization of their discoveries? What is the paradoxical advantage of being behind the global biotech leaders in the Czech Republic? And why do you sometimes feel like a translator? Jiří Moos, director of the biotech incubator i&i Prague, answers all these questions and much more in the following interview. Your incubator specializes in biotechnology. Could you first outline the specific characteristics associated with this field? There are indeed many differences compared to other areas of business. For example, I would mention the speed of revenue generation. In other industries, this is a key criterion for assessing the value of a project. However, in the development of new drugs, this question doesn't make sense. The project is meant to be sold to a pharmaceutical company while it's still far from commercial success. The value of these projects is therefore assessed based on entirely different criteria. Other specifics involve meeting strict regulatory conditions that ensure the safety and efficacy of the developed products, medical devices, or in vitro diagnostics. Therefore, we sometimes advise our startups to consider collaborating with an industry partner experienced in regulatory processes. This can save a lot of time and money. The same applies to distribution channels, which cannot be built overnight. Also worth mentioning are the higher initial investments required for equipping a top-notch laboratory. i&i Prague supports scientific startups in the early stages of their development. Could you describe how this process works? The first step is market need analysis. We examine whether the technology solves a problem that is currently unresolved. If so, we then assess the uniqueness and the possibility of intellectual property protection. Next comes the agreement with the originators of the technology on commercialization. There are two options – we either offer it for direct licensing, or we decide to establish a startup, which will secure investment and bring the development to the point where the technology is either commercially viable or saleable to a strategic partner. If the decision is made to go with a startup, which is your area of expertise, what needs to be done to convince an investor? Without an investor, the startup will not last long. That’s true. For a startup to secure initial investment, it must demonstrate that it has a technology aimed at a product with market potential – something that people or companies will be willing to pay for. If a startup is developing medical technology, it should seek feedback from doctors and, if possible, from a relevant industry contact. This market validation should occur early, before more extensive development begins, to avoid unnecessary dead ends. Investors also focus on intellectual property protection, which must be secured so that competitors cannot easily take over the technology. The startup team is also crucial – the members must be fully committed to the project and have the necessary skills. And, of course, the quality of the business plan is important to investors as well. From what you've said so far, it seems like a very demanding and sophisticated process. Why should a young scientist even go down this path? There are two main motivations. The first is humanitarian – science should help people and society. The results of scientific work, if they remain solely in the realm of academic science, can inspire further research but will not help anyone in a real way until they reach the market as actual products. The second motivation is experience. Working in a startup provides people with invaluable knowledge that continuously moves them forward. In Germany or Austria, these individuals are among the most valuable on the job market. You often work abroad. Can you describe how we are doing in this area compared to the developed world? It probably won’t surprise anyone that we are behind countries like Germany, Austria, Israel, or the USA. However, this lag can paradoxically be an advantage because we have the opportunity to be inspired by different systems. While it's not possible to take only the best from each country and create something entirely our own, we have a chance to create a thoughtful system that avoids the mistakes of others. What would you personally bring to the Czech Republic? There are really many insights, but I would especially mention two: the approach to problems and the willingness to collaborate. In Scandinavia or Israel, the approach to business and innovation is much more positive. It would be great if we could also learn to see problems as challenges to overcome and have the State here to help, not to place obstacles. In the scientific world here, unfortunately, business is still often seen as a betrayal of science, which needs to change. Additionally, it’s essential that scientists are willing to listen and be open to collaboration with experts from other fields. What is needed to successfully connect these different worlds? It’s about understanding the different mindsets. For example, aligning expectations regarding transparency and intellectual property protection. Academic institutions have an obligation to disclose contracts and publish results, which may conflict with the caution and need for strict intellectual property protection in the business world. Long-term stability of cooperation is also important, which can sometimes be a challenge in dynamically changing teams. Properly setting up relationships and achieving balance is not easy, but it’s essential for successful collaboration. How can this be achieved? That is one of the tasks for companies like ours. Sometimes I jokingly say that working in our incubator requires not only a scientific and business background but also translator skills to ensure proper communication between the academic community and industry. Author: Martin Kovalčík

UCT Prague, a Czech leading chemistry-focused University, entered in memorandum with i&i Prague, s.r.o. We are very proud to announce that at the end of 2020 i&i Prague, s.r.o. started cooperation with one of the top Czech Universities focused on natural sciences: University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague – Všcht . This cooperation will allow us to effectively support their research and possible spin-offs. Right now we support two great scientific UCT projects and we expect a lot from both of them. Check our webpage and social media for more updates about these as soon as possible! Read more and learn more on UCT Prague webpage

Neuron 2024 Award for Bridging Science and Business Goes to SophoMer, s.r.o., a Startup from i&i Prague's Portfolio A team of scientists from the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IMC CAS), together with representatives from the startup SophoMer s.r.o., the i&i Prague incubator, and ELISA development, received the prestigious Neuron 2024 Award for Bridging Science and Business. The awards ceremony took place on Sunday, January 19, at the National Museum in Prague in the presence of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel. What Is SophoMer™ and Why Is It Groundbreaking? Reliable results in immunodiagnostic in vitro tests have traditionally relied on animal-derived proteins, such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). However, BSA does not meet the standards for Animal Component-Free (ACF) materials, which are required to contain no animal-origin components. Additionally, BSA exhibits inconsistent properties and poses a risk of pathogen transmission. These issues are resolved with the synthetic molecule SophoMer™ F10. This polymeric material eliminates the risks associated with animal-derived products and enhances the stability and performance of diagnostic tests. According to Tomáš Etrych, Head of the Biomedical Polymers Department at IMC CAS, “The collaboration between our team and SophoMer is highly beneficial for both parties, and we are thrilled that the Neuron Foundation has recognized this bridge between science and business. We believe this award will serve as an important stimulus for our future collaboration.” From Lab to Market SophoMer s.r.o. was founded in 2022 and signed a licensing agreement with IMC CAS, ELISA development, and i&i Prague in January 2023. Just two months later, the SophoMer™ F10 material was sent to customers for testing. What sets SophoMer apart is its early focus on industrial applications, addressing a clear market need from the outset. “We are validating our first polymer by co-developing diagnostic kits with the Brno-based company BioVendor, where our product, SophoMer™ F10, is used as a standard component in the kits. These valuable experiences are then applied at i&i Prague when preparing incubation plans for other projects,” explains Jiří Moos, who, along with Jan Plicka, initiated the project. Currently, four diagnostic kits are in development, with one set to hit the market soon. “In addition, we have already defined a new portfolio of innovative polymers on which we are working intensively,” notes Martin Burkhard, CEO of SophoMer s.r.o. Awards Ceremony The Neuron 2024 Award for Bridging Science and Business was received on behalf of IMC CAS by Dr. Tomáš Etrych, Head of the Biomedical Polymers Department, along with his colleagues Libor Kostka and Vladimír Šubr. SophoMer s.r.o. was represented by its CEO, Martin Burkhard, while i&i Prague was represented by its CEO, Jiří Moos, and ELISA development by Jan Plicka. SophoMer™ F10: How does it work?

CasInvent Pharma receives the Neuron Award for excellent Technology Transfer The laureates of the prestigious Neuron Awards in 2021 have been announced. Since 2009, the Neuron Endowment Fund has been rewarding the first-class Czech researchers for their contributions to science. For the first time this year, the Neuron Award has also been given for the collaboration of academic researchers and industrial partners. The award recognized Vítězslav Bryja, Kamil Paruch and Radoslav Trautmann for the close collaboration between the Masaryk University in Brno (MU) and the incubator and investor i&i Prague, and for their work on the establishment of the spin-off company CasInvent Pharma . Masaryk University, the second largest university in the Czech Republic, is one of the foremost research-oriented Czech universities. i&i Prague is a biotech incubator and hub in the Central European Region, scouting and supporting projects with excellent innovative potential in the fields of MedTech, Diagnostics and Drug Discovery. These two well-known organizations have joined forces working on the establishment of CasInvent Pharma, one of the first spin-offs of its kind, to enable further development of small-molecule compounds with anticancer properties. The core of the technology licensed to CasInvent from MU is a proprietary class of highly potent and selective inhibitors of casein kinases 1. These compounds are being developed for the treatment of selected types of leukemias, lymphomas and solid tumors. The entire team of CasInvent Pharma, including the laureates Vítězslav Bryja, Kamil Paruch, Radoslav Trautmann and further composed of Pavlína Janovská (MU) and David Stíbal (i&i Prague) is currently progressing their lead compound through the advanced stages of preclinical development.

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i&i Prague supports the innovative start-up PEP-Therapy in their extension of the Series-A financing, totalling €5.4 million to progress the clinical development of the lead candidate PEP-010 PEP-Therapy, a biotechnology company developing cell penetrating peptides as targeted therapies for the treatment of cancers, announced today that it raised an additional €2.6 million ($3 million) in an extension of its Series A financing round, bringing the total raised in this round to €5.4 million ($6.4 million). This new funding comprises €1.6 million in equity from Anaxago, i&i Prague and BADGE as well as a €1 million loan from Bpifrance. This increased financial support highlights the potential of PEP-010, as well as PEP-Therapy’s Cell Penetrating & Interfering Peptide (CP&IP) technology platform, which was first developed at Sorbonne University and Institut Curie. PEP-010 is the first of a new class of therapeutic peptides based on PEP-Therapy’s innovative Cell Penetrating & Interfering Peptide (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-Therapy will use the funds to finance the Phase I a/b clinical trial of PEP-010, PEP-Therapy’s lead candidate, for the treatment of advanced solid tumors. The first part of the Series A, which closed in April 2021, will finance the Phase Ia dose escalation part of the study, with the additional funds being used for the development of PEP-010 until the end of the expansion cohorts, Phase Ib. PEP-Therapy expects to generate promising clinical data from this study, particularly in two indications: metastatic triple negative breast cancer and platinum resistant ovarian cancer. Patients with these two types of solid tumors have a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic alternatives. Antoine Prestat, CEO and co-founder of PEP-Therapy, said: “We are delighted to have completed this financing round via an attractive balance of dilutive and non-dilutive funds from new high quality and diversified investors who will bring expertise and new insights to support our development.” Jaromír Zahrádka, PhD, CEO of i&i, commented: “PEP-Therapy has developed an extensive knowledge of targeted peptides and the promising preclinical data the company has generated show great potential. We are looking forward to seeing the confirmation of the positive results seen in preclinical data in the upcoming Phase I study.” Gaston Vasseur, Investment Manager at Anaxago, added “This extended financing highlights PEPTherapy’s capacity to attract highly specialized as well as diversified investors. The Company has managed to rapidly secure the funding for the Phase I trial with PEP-010, a very important milestone for the company. We are happy to contribute to this financing round in conjunction with a number of experienced life science investors.” In addition, PEP-Therapy and its clinical partners, Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy, previously received a €2.9 million grant from the French state innovation fund – Fonds Unique Interministériel (FUI) – to finance nonclinical and early clinical development of PEP-010. About Anaxago Founded in 2012, Anaxago Venture Capital is a digital VC firm specialised in Healthtech & Biotech, Proptech, Fintech and Impact investing. Anaxago Venture Capital has financed more than 45 companies since its creation. About BADGE Business Angels des Grandes Ecoles (BADGE), created in 2004, is a leading French Business Angels association with more than 280 members, and having participated in 21 fundraisings in 2020 of a combined value of over €5.3 million. Its members are recognized leaders in all sectors of the industry and are willing to finance and support young innovative companies with high growth potential. BADG aims to: Identify and review promising innovative projects Conduct fund-raising for the most promising ones Support the entrepreneurs with individualized business advice and key contacts Provide training and methodological support to its members BADGE has thus financed more than 185 young companies since its creation.

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From the Labs of Roche and Pfizer Back to the Czech Republic: Jan Berka Helps Biotech Startups Grow Globally After spending three decades in the United States—working at companies like Roche, Pfizer, and Adaptive Biotechnologies—Jan Berka has decided to return to the Czech Republic part-time. Today, he serves as Project Manager for International Contacts at i&i Prague. We spoke with him about his journey, professional insights, and why it's important to occasionally look up from the details and focus on the big picture. You’ve had an impressive career in the US. What brought you back to the Czech Republic and led you to join i&i Prague? It was a bit of an impulsive decision. After 30 years in the US, I became genuinely curious about what was happening in biotech back in the Czech Republic. While I visited frequently for holidays, I had lost touch with the local professional scene. At the same time, my wife and I began to miss more regular contact with the Czech landscape, culture, and our friends here. So, when the opportunity to join i&i Prague came up, I didn’t hesitate for a second. You’ve worked for global companies like Roche, Pfizer, and Adaptive Biotechnologies. How has that environment influenced your work at i&i Prague? Above all, it gave me experience. Every work environment I’ve been part of was unique in some way. That gave me valuable insight into what works under different circumstances—and what doesn’t. I now aim to bring that know-how to i&i Prague. Each of our startups is different, and I believe my experience can help support their growth. But we're still at the beginning—I'm curious myself to see how I’ll be able to contribute. As a Project Manager focused on international connections, what do you primarily concentrate on? My role has two main aspects. First, there’s classic project management—guiding the individual projects that go through our incubation program. Second, and just as important, is leveraging the international network I’ve built over the years. It's not just about having good ideas or solutions—you also need to know who to call. That’s my strength. Thanks to longstanding personal connections, I not only know what’s being worked on around the world, but I also know the people behind it. And personal relationships are always the most valuable. I think we often build our own mental ceilings and fail to see beyond them—and that can prevent us from aiming higher. JAN BERKA Project Manager for International Contacts at i&i Prague What has been the most pivotal project or moment in your career so far? Two moments come to mind. The first was my time with the startup 454 Life Sciences. We began as a team of four people with an idea almost no one believed in. But within five years, we launched a genome sequencer that kicked off the entire field of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). That was a truly unique moment—driven by healthy ambition, vision, and the right team. The second breakthrough happened at Pfizer. We were trying to apply genetics to personalized medicine, but it wasn’t yielding great results. Then a colleague suggested we shift our focus to the immunome, the most variable part of the human genome. That opened up a completely new field of research for us. It was a moment that taught me the importance of seeing things from a different perspective. Ultimately, that shift helped us succeed and led to the development of immunome analysis using NGS. Company culture often plays a key role in startups. In your view, what’s the biggest mindset difference between the US and the Czech Republic? More and more, I get the impression that in the Czech Republic, we tend to focus too much on details—technical or personal. We spend hours discussing issues that are not immediately relevant. In the US, the approach is to pursue the vision, the big picture. The details get resolved along the way. It reminds me of a book by Mojmír Hampl called “For Czechs, the Sky Is Too Low.” I think we often build our own mental ceilings and fail to see beyond them—and that can prevent us from aiming higher. You split your time between Prague and Colorado. What do you enjoy about both places, and how do you balance such different worlds? Surprisingly easily—neither my wife nor I can stay in one place for too long. Prague and Colorado are completely different worlds, and we enjoy the best of both. In Prague, we go to the theatre or a great restaurant. Colorado is all about nature, hiking, and the desert. You’re currently learning to fly. What inspired you to take up piloting? I started flying gliders as a student and did it for about 15 years before life pulled me in other directions. Now that I have more time for hobbies again, I decided to return to flying—and fulfill a childhood dream of piloting a plane with an engine. Since I was young, I admired the “big guys” who could just fly wherever they wanted. Meanwhile, we in gliders had to land in a field if the thermals weren’t favorable. So, I didn’t hesitate—I enrolled in ultralight pilot training and I’m currently preparing for the final exam. Flying is highly technical. You need to understand all the instruments and also what’s happening around you. That’s very similar to science, where you have to know what you’re doing and think analytically. JAN BERKA Project Manager for International Contacts at i&i Prague Cycling is another of your passions. Do you see any parallels between your hobbies and your work in science? Absolutely—and very different ones. Flying is highly technical. You need to understand all the instruments and also what’s happening around you. That’s very similar to science, where you have to know what you’re doing and think analytically. In contrast, mountain biking is all about intuition—pure flow. You don’t think; you react. And it’s during those intuitive moments that I often get my best scientific ideas. I usually rush home afterwards so I don’t forget them. What fascinates you most in biotech right now—and why? I’ve spent my whole career working on genome sequencing, hoping it would become a routine diagnostic tool. It hasn’t happened yet, but we’re getting closer. I’m also fascinated—and somewhat alarmed—by CRISPR-Cas genome editing. The first case where a point mutation was corrected in a child’s liver completely blew my mind—but also scared me. I don’t think society is ready for the sheer power of such technologies. It’s not just scientific progress—it’s a social challenge, too. If there was one thing you could do at i&i Prague, what would it be? I’d be happy to be part of a process where an idea turns into a real product or service that truly helps people. I don’t need to be there at the finish line—but if I can help kick something off that has a meaningful impact, I’ll consider it a success. Thank you for the interview. Author: Martin Kovalčík

CasInvent Pharma, a New University Spin-Off Focused on Developing Cancer Drugs Established with Help of i&i Prague! A new spin-off company, CasInvent Pharma, a.s., has been established by Masaryk University (MU) in cooperation with its investment partner, i&i Prague, s.r.o. (Ltd), in order to facilitate further development of new compounds that could be used to treat certain types of leukaemia, lymphoma and solid tumours. The company will test the compounds that inhibit the enzyme Casein Kinase 1 (CK1) which is responsible, among other things, for the migration of leukaemia cells into lymphoid organs. The research groups of Vitězslav Bryja and Kamil Paruch from the Faculty of Science MU have been studying and developing these compounds for a long time now. Thanks to the newly-established company, they will be able to finish the preclinical stage of the development of these prospective drugs and move on to clinical trials of the most promising compounds. “The main reason behind establishing this spin-off company is the fact that it is virtually the only option to commercialize this technology, which is still in early stages of development, and advance the research to such stage that it catches the interest of big investors from the pharmaceutical industry,” says the director of Technology Transfer Office MU, Eva Janouškovcová, as to why the joint-stock spin-off company was established with the university as one of its stakeholders. “The i&i Prague company searchs and supports the most promising technologies and the highest quality projects. We have known for a long time that the inhibitors of CK1 are the most promising Czech projects. I am glad that Masaryk University has chosen the i&i Prague as a strategic partner for this project. I believe that we will be able to make significant progress towards clinical trials in the development of the drug, attract other co-investors and international partners and enable the practical use of these new substances as soon as possible thanks to the establishment of the CasInvent Pharma company,” said the CEO of i&i Prague, Jaromír Zahrádka. The CasInvent Pharma spin-off will continue developing the promising results of the scientific teams which led to the patenting of the inhibitors, i.e. compounds that significantly decrease or completely inhibit the activity of CK1 and can be used to treat e.g. certain types of leukaemia. More specifically, the B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and the Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). CLL characteristically causes the accumulation of dysfunctional cancer cells in the blood and their migration to lymph nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow, which causes further complications such as enlargement of organs, immunodeficiency, anaemia and other. The aggressiveness of the disease then depends on the interaction of these dysfunctional cells with their immediate surroundings – so-called microenvironment. This interaction leads to tumour cells dividing uncontrollably. The inhibitors of CK1 can effectively stop the migration of the leukaemia cells to lymphoid organs, which prevents them from being damaged and hinders the spreading of CLL. AML, which is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat types of leukaemia, has CK1 working in a different way. Based on the current results, the scientists expect the new compounds to initiate programmed cell death (so-called apoptosis) in leukaemia cells. Targeting interactions in the microenvironment, regulating apoptosis and inhibiting migration mechanisms can be successfully used with other forms of cancer as well, e.g. solid tumours the growth and spreading of which often depends on roughly the same principles. CasInvent Pharma joined the ranks of the other 17 spin-off companies Masaryk University helped to establish. The purpose of these spin-off companies is mainly to utilize the university’s intellectual property and increase its value. The university grants companies intellectual property licensing agreements and, in some cases, it even owns shares of the company. As a result, the spin-off companies established by the university bring profit to all the parties involved: for the university, it is the best way to appreciate its intellectual property, the spin-off company gains a competitive advantage on the market and, last but not least, the end product reaches the consumer more quickly

David Stíbal: We believe a startup is one of the best paths nowadays to develop interesting technologies beyond the academic level How complex is the path to a new drug? Why do licenses for Czech drugs end up abroad? What are the most common issues currently faced by biotech startups? David Stíbal, Vice Director of the biotech incubator and venture builder i&i Prague, s.r.o., reflects on these and other questions related to the commercialization of scientific discoveries. How complex is the path to a new drug today? The path to a new drug is very complex and risky, and in some respects, this is even more true today than it was in the past. For example, if we were to calculate the current cost of developing a new drug from initial trials to the final "pill", statistics show it would approach one billion dollars. This figure includes also the costs of all unsuccessful candidates within the development program, preclinical and clinical experiments, production, marketing, and much more. Pharmaceutical companies then need to recoup this investment from the sales of the drugs that make it all the way to market. What drugs are in the highest demand today? According to the list of the most successful drugs (known as "blockbusters," i.e., drugs that generate at least one billion USD annually) for 2023, the most sought-after drugs are GLP-1 agonists, such as anti-obesity drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc.), cancer-fighting antibodies (e.g., Keytruda from MSD), immunologic drugs (Humira, Stelara, etc.), or HIV medication, incidentally the one developed by Professor Holý’s team at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry in the late 20th century (Tenofovir alafenamide, marketed by Gilead Sciences). Many licenses for Czech drugs are sold abroad. Is there any way to change that? Licenses are typically sold at an early development stage to larger companies that have the capacity to bring such programs through advanced clinical trials and to market. In our field, this is usually the domain of major pharmaceutical companies capable of bearing the high costs mentioned earlier. The idea of having a drug, invented and developed in the Czech Republic, also manufactured here is certainly appealing. However, until a major pharmaceutical company transfers its R&D or manufacturing facility to the Czech Republic, or until a mid- to large-sized pharmaceutical company emerges here, this scenario is hard to imagine. You support startups focused on developing new drugs or diagnostic methods. Are there any positive trends in this segment in the Czech Republic? Through our work, we see a positive trend, especially in the growing number of startups and the willingness of scientists and university employees to discuss commercialization and consider developing their inventions beyond scientific publications or patents. We’re delighted by this, as we believe a startup is one of the best paths nowadays to develop interesting technologies beyond the academic level. However, it's also worth noting that the startup mentality in the Czech Republic, particularly in our field, is not yet as developed as it is in more advanced countries. What are the biggest challenges these startups face today? The biggest issue, globally, is the current lack of investment capital and, more specifically, the scarcity of investors willing to support new, high-risk projects. This is especially true when compared to the “COVID years” of 2019-2021, when funds were released more readily, with investors supporting projects that could, among other things, respond immediately to the crisis. The situation is different now: investors are more cautious about where they allocate their funds, partly because they are reserving capital to support their existing portfolio companies. A startup may be a suitable path, where scientists and managers can work together to further develop the technology until it is relevant for direct licensing to a larger firm. DAVID STÍBAL VICE DIRECTOR AT i&i PRAGUE What did you think of this year’s Prague.bio Conference? I consider the event a great success. It’s impressive how the Prague.bio association managed to organize a high-quality conference with such a small team. Similar events are held fairly regularly across Europe, some of which i&i Prague likes to attend. However, there are relatively few conferences focused on such early-stage technologies, as was the case with Prague.bio. We were also pleased with the scientifically oriented program and high attendance, which shows that such an event is needed in the Czech Republic and is appreciated by both academic and industry players. Are there any new figures in today’s biomedicine who might follow in Professor Holý's footsteps? Repeating such an achievement will be challenging but not impossible. To make it happen, however, we need to build a more robust infrastructure that can help scientists navigate the very complex process of bringing their ideas to fruition. Our incubator aims to be one of the pieces that form this mosaic. What is the best way to commercialize the results of science and research? The answer to this question depends on how advanced the result is and how well it aligns with the current market needs. If it is possible to directly connect with a larger company and license the result to them, this is a relatively fast way to transfer the technology into practice. If that’s not possible, a startup may be a suitable path, where scientists and managers can work together to further develop the technology until it is relevant for direct licensing to a larger firm. Alternatively, developing the technology all the way to market can also be considered, although this is more of an exception in our field. David Stíbal is the Managing Director of the biotech incubator i&i Prague. He evaluates the business potential of scientific projects, establishes and initially manages startups, and works on the long-term development of projects all the way to their successful commercialization. He completed his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, earned a Ph.D. from the University of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, and conducted postdoctoral research at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Czech version of the interview was published in Ekonomický magazín . Author: Martin Kovalčík