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Dracen Pharmaceuticals Announces the Initiation of First-in-human Study of DRP-104 in Adult Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors! Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has announced the start of a clinical trial of DRP-104, an anti-cancer substance developed by the team of Pavel Majer at IOCB Prague in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (USA) @johnshopkinsu . The first patients have received the substance, and the initial phase of the trial will last approximately three years. “The initiation of the phase one clinical trial of our substance is excellent news and an important milestone on the path towards a new treatment for oncology patients,” said Pavel Majer, Head of the drug discovery group at IOCB Prague. Learn more on IOCB page or Dracen page !

i&i Prague and other Prague.bio members participate in a business mission with Czech president in Switzerland Prague, November 7, 2024 – Key representatives from Prague.bio, (incl. i&i Prague) and other leading members of the Czech biotech community, participated in a high-profile business mission in Switzerland, which accompanied the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, on his state visit. Organized by the Czech Chamber of Commerce, this mission aimed to deepen commercial and research partnerships between the Czech Republic and Switzerland, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and innovation. Switzerland, recognized globally for its leadership in biotech and pharmaceuticals, is an ideal partner for the Czech Republic’s rapidly growing biotech ecosystem. Over the three-day mission, the delegation visited Zurich, Basel, and Bern, where they engaged in forums, expert meetings, and institutional visits that highlight the mutual commitment to advancing science and technology. In Zurich, the Czech delegation took part in a prestigious business forum at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s foremost technical universities. The event was inaugurated by President Petr Pavel and Swiss Confederation President Viola Amherd, featuring speakers such as Ruth Metzler-Arnold, President of Switzerland Global Enterprise, and Christoph Mäder, President of the Swiss Chamber of Commerce. The discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration between Czech and Swiss biotech companies, positioning Prague as an emerging biotech hub in Europe. The mission continued in Basel, where delegates were touring the Biozentrum at the University of Basel, a center known for groundbreaking research in molecular biology and biotechnology. Global pharmaceutical giant Roche was also hosting the delegation for an exclusive visit, offering insights into cutting-edge research in biotech and pharmaceuticals. The agenda included a roundtable discussion on funding opportunities for biotech and life sciences, a key area of growth for both Switzerland and the Czech Republic. "Switzerland represents an extraordinary opportunity for Prague.bio to connect with one of the most innovative biotech ecosystems in the world," says Petra Kinzlová, CEO of Prague.bio. "This mission was not just about strengthening commercial ties; it was about fostering collaborations that can drive scientific progress and bolster the international competitiveness of Czech biotech. By connecting with top Swiss institutions and industry leaders, we were opening doors for new ideas, partnerships, and growth." Contact for media: Martin Kovalčík, kovalcik@iniprague.com +420 777 472 863

OUR TEAM Our team benefits from decades of know-how and experiences gathered in academic institutions, technology transfer and industrial companies. Using this knowledge, we are developing a pool of highly potent biotech projects originating in academia and finding commercial partners for them. DAVID STÍBAL CEO David 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. David 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). Prior to joining us, he worked in Lach-Ner s.r.o. as a research scientist. LinkedIn Mail JIŘÍ MOOS Managing Director In addition to managing i&i Prague, Jiří is responsible for project analysis. He is a member of the GAMA Commercialization Council of the Institute of Molecular Genetics (IMG) and an external member of the Supervisory Board of the Institute of Biotechnology. Previously, he was a senior sales manager at Sigma-Aldrich and coordinator of regional activities of the Sigma-Aldrich Applied Business Unit. He also worked at Immunotech a.s. and has extensive experience as a researcher at the Centre for Assisted Reproduction at the General University Hospital in Prague and IMG. LinkedIn Mail ROBERTO FERNANDEZ Lead Incubation Manager Roberto is responsible for the analysis of projects. Prior to joining us, Roberto completed his Ph.D. in Macromolecular Chemistry at Charles University in Prague. He holds a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Costa Rica and an MSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Autonomous University of Barcelona. Parallel to his work in i&i Prague, Roberto works as a project manager in the MedTech start-up LAM-X a.s. Due to his experience, Roberto prefers to focus on projects in the field of medical devices and drug delivery. LinkedIn Mail IVA MACHOVÁ Incubation and Regional Manager for Poland Iva is responsible for the analysis of project technology. Before joining our company, Iva worked as a postdoc researcher at the Biomedical Center of the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen. She holds BSc and MSc degrees from UCT Prague, Czech Republic, and she did her Ph.D. at the Institute of organic chemistry and biochemistry. Iva spent several months on a postdoctoral fellowship at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Due to her scientific experience in biochemistry, she is focused on projects in the field of drug discovery and cell therapy. LinkedIn Mail JIŘÍ RŮŽIČKA Incubation Manager Jiri is responsible for analyzing projects at i&i Prague. He also worked at the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the CAS (IEM), the University of Cambridge, and the University of Leeds. He has done his PhD at IEM and the 2nd Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. He has 14+ years of experience in neuroscience and regenerative medicine with a broad focus on brain/spinal cord injuries, neurodegenerative diseases, and ageing. He has been dealing with enzymatic, gene, or cell therapies, biomaterial applications, and genetic models of neurodegenerative disorders. Mail Mail KAMILA BURDOVÁ Incubation Manager Kamila is an Incubation Manager at i&i Prague. She brings over a decade of scientific experience in molecular biology, genome stability, and DNA repair, gained at leading research institutions including the Institute of Molecular Genetics in Prague, the University of Oxford, and the University of Sussex. At i&i Prague, she supports the development and growth of early-stage biotech projects with strong scientific foundations. Her deep understanding of academic research allows her to bridge the gap between science and commercialization effectively. LinkedIn Mail JAN BERKA Project Manager with a Focus on International Contacts Jan studied molecular biology and genetics at Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic). After his doctorate, he worked at the Barnett Institute, Northeastern University in Boston on the development of DNA sequencers. Later, he worked at CuraGen, 454 Life Sciences, Pfizer Rinat and Adaptive Biotechnologies, where he was involved in pioneering methods of DNA and immune system sequencing. Before joining i&i Prague, he worked at Roche Molecular Diagnostics in California, developing biomarker assays. Mail Mail MICHAŁ JESKA Innovation Program Manager for Poland Michał evaluates the potential of innovation projects, designs and manages programs that support their development, and works closely with teams to guide solutions from early-stage concepts to scalable implementation and real-world impact. With a background spanning entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, and academia, he has extensive experience in building and scaling health-tech initiatives. Prior to this role, Michał served at Medical Innovation Institute, Roche IT Poland and uPacjenta. Michał holds a degree in law from the University of Warsaw. LinkedIn Mail MARTIN KOVALČÍK Communication Manager Martin is responsible for PR activities and communication of our incubator. Prior to joining i&i Prague, Martin worked for nearly 13 years as a media coordinator at the respected Czech non-profit organisation, People in Need, where he was responsible for regular media relations and media service for a team of 300 people. He also has experience working in several editorial offices. He left his most significant mark at the Metro newspaper, where he worked for over 5 years, the last two as the deputy editor-in-chief. Mail Mail SIMONA ŠANDOVÁ Office Manager Simona is responsible for making sure that everything works as it should in i&i Prague. During her career, Simona has worked as an Office Manager and a Junior Property Manager. She was responsible for training and conference organization, communication with clients and suppliers as well as administrative assistance for the project and property department. Simona has considerable experience in administration and office management. LinkedIn Mail

Notes from a trip to “The most startup friendly country in the world” At the end of April, Karel Kubias (one of the partners of i&i Biotech Fund) and Jiří Moos (CEO of i&i Prague) attended an event in Riga, Latvia, called Roche Latvia Innovations Day. Here you can read their blog where they describe their impressions from the event and, more importantly, provide further evidence that the Baltic States can serve as inspiration for the Czech Republic. At least in terms of technology transfer… At the end of April 2022, the Latvian representative office of the global pharmaceutical company, Roche, invited us as guests of the “Roche Latvia Innovations Incubator Day”. We gladly accepted the invitation as supporting and building technology transfer is in i&i Prague and i&i Biotech’s genes. It is commendable and positive (but not surprising) that Roche has decided to establish incubators in different territories to financially support primary research results and create an environment where innovative ideas can grow and mature. In Latvia, moreover, this initiative is closely aligned with significant state support. Developing the knowledge economy During the one-day event, two representatives of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (www.liaa.gov.lv ) spoke, among others, about how the Agency supports innovation and technology transfer, increases Latvia’s attractiveness for foreign investors and, last but not least, introduced us to its support programs for startups. Additionally, we learned that: in 2021 Latvia had over 400 startups from different sectors (from Fintech to Medtech and Healthtech to Biotech); the entire country (almost one-fifth smaller than the Czech Republic in size) is divided into 11 regional incubators, each of which provides startups with pre-incubation and incubation programs. Latvia has a “Startup Law”, designed to support startups, which allows them to receive co-funding from the state for qualified staff as well as tax benefits. However, the agency not only supports startups, but also the activities of entrepreneurs looking to develop new products or technologies in the form of Innovation Vouchers of up to €25,000. If you are interested in transferring your activities from abroad to Latvia and establishing a startup there, the Agency will arrange a visa for you. Thanks to all this, the Baltic country has been named “the most startup friendly country in the world” by Index Ventures. At times, we felt like we were at a conference in Germany or Austria, where the state also strongly supports technology transfer and startups in general. But Latvia? The targeted efforts to promote technology transfer here have a quite prosaic reason, this country does not have a strong industrial base, so they are focusing on promoting technology transfer in order to create favorable conditions for the development of the knowledge economy in Latvia. The meeting in Riga ‘one of the most exceptional’ As part of our contribution “What does your start-up need to be ready for investors?”, we shared our experience of the process of evaluating and supporting startups before i&i Biotech Fund decides to invest. We were delighted with the feedback from the audience who found our experience beneficial and did not hesitate to contact us with questions after the program. The full morning program can be viewed here. In the second part of the program, we were then introduced to the presentations of seven startups. Each of them received feedback from us and also recommendations for next steps. We continue to stay in contact with two of the teams and are considering investment in the future. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the Roche team for the excellent organization of the meeting. In our professional lives we have made dozens, if not hundreds of business trips, and only a few have stuck in our minds for their uniqueness. We dare to say that this visit to Riga will be one of those exceptional experiences. And we must also admit that we were pleasantly surprised by the level of support the Latvian government is dedicating to technology transfer. Our country can take inspiration from Latvia in this respect. Jiří Moos, i&i Prague (Executive Director) Karel Kubias, i&i Biotech Fund (Partner) THE CZECH VERSION OF THE BLOG CAN BE FOUND HERE . Contact: Martin Kovalčík, kovalcik@inibio.eu , +420 777 472 863

The Prague.bio international conference will bring together the best of science and business in Prague. Promising ideas will receive money for their development. Prague, 25 April 2023. The first edition of the Prague.bio international conference will offer a unique meeting of representatives from science and business who will exchange their experiences in the development of new drugs, diagnostics, medical technologies and other areas of biotechnology. The event is supported by the Czech government and will feature renowned experts from the world of BioTech. The Prague.bio international conference is intended for academics, investors and industry representatives from all over Central Europe. Experienced investors, representatives of leading pharmaceutical as well as diagnostic companies and technology transfer offices will meet promising startups, scientists and students to help them with advice and insights in commercializing their scientific ideas. For industry representatives and investors, the conference will provide an interesting space for exchanging ideas and establishing further cooperation. "Science and business are often two completely different worlds. But they need each other and have something to offer each other. Scientific projects are often a source of unique commercial ideas and an interesting investment opportunity, while successful commercialisation of scientific knowledge brings significant financial resources back into research," explains Prof. Martin Fusek, Director of IOCB Tech, one of the organisers of the conference. According to him, the Prague.bio conference should contribute to the creation of a permanent network of partners whose goal will be to build a more effective transfer of biotechnology not only in the Czech Republic but also in the entire Central European area. The transfer is also supported by the government "Who does not transfer is not a good economist. The transfer of scientific research knowledge into practice is one of the priorities of our government and I am pleased that a conference is being prepared to help this even on an international scale," explains Helena Langšádlová, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation of the Czech Republic, whose department is co-organizing the event. Moreover, according to the Minister, technology transfer is an important topic not only for science but also for the national economy. It can generate billions of Czech crowns in revenue annually. The Prague conference is based on the experience of similar events abroad. However, it is unique in Central Europe. "At the moment, we can reveal that the Prague.bio conference will not lack lectures by representatives of major pharmaceutical companies, we are also preparing an interesting panel discussion with foreign investors and several pitch sessions that will provide an opportunity to present promising projects in the field of biotechnology," adds Jaromír Zahrádka, CEO of the i&i Biotech Fund and founder of the i&i Prague bio-innovation centre, another of the conference organisers. The conference will take place on 26 September at Liechtenstein Palace in Prague. Registration is now open for those interested in attending. The relevant form, including payment options, can be found at www.prague.bio . The fee for early registration is 200 Euros, or 150 Euros for students and researchers. Interesting scientific research ideas can also apply for the event and register at the above-mentioned website. The registered projects will be evaluated by an expert committee and the best ones will compete for investor support at the conference. Contact Martin Kovalčík, 777 472 863, kovalcik@iniprague.com Martin Opatrný, 602 252 405, opatrny@prclinic.eu About IOCB Tech The Technology Transfer Office IOCB Tech, s.r.o. is a fully owned subsidiary of the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB). The main responsibilities of IOCB Tech include the identification of commercially interesting projects at IOCB, analysis of their market potential and patentability, protection of intellectual property, support for the development of the projects in the form of project management, search for commercial partners and negotiation of contractual terms for signing license agreements. IOCB Tech has been involved in the process of negotiating and concluding more than a dozen key license agreements with major pharmaceutical partners such as Gilead Sciences, Merck, Novo Nordisk and SHINE Medical Technologies. In 2017, the company established a subsidiary, i&i Prague, which focuses on funding promising early-stage projects at the Institute and other research and academic institutions. For more information visit www.iocbtech.cz . About i&i Prague The i&i Prague Bio-Innovation Center focuses on the transfer of new technologies into practice. The company was established at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS and is mainly dedicated to innovations in the field of drug development, diagnostics and medical devices originating from academic institutions. It supports the creation of spin-off companies and the sale of licenses. So far, the company has participated in the creation of or otherwise supported 15 spin-off companies from five countries, has an equity stake in nine of them and has invested over 70 million crowns. In total, the spin-offs in i&i Prague's portfolio have raised more than CZK 1.8 billion from other investors. In addition to direct financial investments, i&i Prague also assists more than 15 research institutions and universities in the Czech Republic and abroad in the commercialization of innovative technologies. In 2021, i&i Prague started up the i&i Bio investment fund. About i&i Biotech Fund (i&i Bio) i&i Bio is a Luxembourg-based venture capital firm that invests in innovative European Life Sciences companies focused on drug discoveries, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. The Fund was created thanks to the cooperation of the biotech incubator i&i Prague and the European Investment Fund (see below). With over €47M under management, i&i Bio plans to invest in about 20 early-stage companies. i&i Bio is led by an experienced team of professionals with backgrounds in private equity, healthcare and venture capital supporting entrepreneurs on their journey to global success. Thanks to close cooperation with the fund’s main sponsor, the biotech academic incubator i&i Prague, i&i Bio is supporting and advancing transformative Central European technology companies. For more information visit www.inibio.eu . About EIF i&i Bio is supported by an investment from the EIF, with the support of: lnnovFin Equity, with the financial backing of the European Union under Horizon 2020 Financial Instruments and the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) set up under the Investment Plan for Europe. The purpose of EFSI is to help support financing and implementing productive investments in the European Union and to ensure increased access to financing; and the Pan-European Guarantee Fund (EGF), implemented by the EIF with the financial support of the Participating Member States. The objective of EGF is to respond to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that companies in the Participating Member States have sufficient short-term liquidity available to weather the crisis and are able to continue their growth and development in the medium to long-term.

PANC-CKI Consortium led by CasInvent Pharma Secures €4M Eurostars Grant for Pancreatic Cancer Research October 1, 2024. The PANC-CKI consortium, led by the Czech biotech, CasInvent Pharma, has been awarded a €4M Eurostars grant for a project entitled 'Developing a Novel Casein Kinase 1 Inhibitor for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment: An AI-Integrated Approach.' The project aims to validate CI-CK1i, a new inhibitor targeting casein kinase 1 (CK1), for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients who urgently need new treatment options. The Casein Kinase 1 inhibitor developed by CasInvent Pharma effectively and selectively blocks all three isoforms of CK1, enhancing responses to ongoing treatments like chemotherapy and reducing tumor growth as a single agent. CasInvent Pharma, in collaboration with its international partners, achieved outstanding success in the 6th call of this program with the PANC-CKI consortium. The consortium will conduct Proof-of-Concept studies to generate a data package for initiating IND/CTA studies. PANC-CKI consortium employs a completely novel drug development, process synergistically combining cutting-edge technologies including creation of digital twin using AI/ML (Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning) technologies with rapid screening of drug combination using state-of-the-art cancer patient-derived organoids at the University of Bern (Prof. Marianna Kruithof-de Julio). Safety testing will be performed by a new organs-on-chip technology developed by Alveolix (Switzerland). "We see the success of CasInvent Pharma in the Eurostars programme as further proof of the excellent potential of our platform and its ability to be successful internationally. In addition, the association with our partners opens a new chapter in our research, which will focus on treatment options for pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive and difficult to treat diseases," says Alexander Scheer (CEO) from CasInvent Pharma. “Deeplife is optimistic about advancing this CK1 inhibitor to tackle pancreatic cancer, a currently hopeless disease,” says Jonathan Baptista (CEO) from DeepLife, (France) Eurostars is the largest international funding programme for SMEs wishing to collaborate on R&D projects that create innovative products, processes or services for commercialisation. CasInvent Pharma, in collaboration with its international partners, achieved outstanding success in the 6th call of this program. Competing among participants from 37 countries, CasInvent Pharma received an exceptional score of 51 out of 54 from the international evaluation panel. The project ranked 1st in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and France. Such a great outcome among European competition underlines the potential of the CK1 inhibitors and creates a momentum for our ongoing fundraising activities of CasInvent to bring our drug to the patients as soon as possible. Contact for media: Alexander Scheer, scheer@casinvent.com , +33 78 40 43 43 ABOUT THE COMPANIES CasInvent Pharma is a drug discovery spin-off company established in 2020 by Masaryk University and biotech incubator i&i Prague. The mission of the company is to develop new therapeutic options for the treatment of resistant tumours. The CasInvent platform is based on the use of proprietary, best-in-class highly selective inhibitors of enzymes belonging to the casein kinase 1 (CK1) family that are responsible for the regulation of different cellular mechanisms leading to resistance to targeted therapies. More information: www.casinvent.com OTHER PARTNERS University of Bern (UBERN): The Urology Research Laboratory at the Department for BioMedical Research of UBERN conducts advanced research in patient-derived organoids and possesses a collection from various cancer types such as prostate, bladder, and renal cell carcinoma to understand cancer biology. UBERN has demonstrated the translational potential of patient-derived organoids and is currently engaged in clinical studies. AlveoliX AG: AlveoliX, a leader in organs-on-chip technology, is expanding its impact with the patented AXBarrier-on-Chip System, a platform enabling advanced safety and efficacy models for pre-clinical testing. Its current AXBiomodel portfolio includes validated lung and intestine models, with kidney and bladder models in development. AlveoliX’s participation in a new grant will enable the company to enter the fast-growing oncology market, supporting cancer drug development with more precise, predictive pre-clinical models. For more information, visit alveolix.com or contact nina.hobi@alveolix.com . DeepLife: DeepLife, a Paris-based biotech company founded in 2019, uses multi-omics data, machine learning, and systems engineering to accelerate drug discoveries. Its AI technology creates digital twins of human cells, enabling rapid evaluation of drug responses, deciphering mechanisms, and identifying biomarkers and targets. DeepLife collaborates on identifying new targets and drug repositioning projects with this technology. For more information, visit DeepLife.com or contact kevin.carvalho@deeplife. co .

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

The Prague.bio Conference 2024 welcomed 300 participants from all over the world The second edition of Prague.bio Conference (i&i Prague is a co-organiser of this event), held on this occasion, brought together global experts on technology transfer and the creation of biotech startups, awarded the best startup presentations and introduced the upcoming educational academy for future spin-off managers. What was accomplished during the year? · The Prague.bio Conference this September welcomed 300 participants from all over the world · The number of members of the organization doubled to 12 · Major players from the pharmaceutical business joined the association - Bristol Myers Squibb and Zentiva · A training academy for future founders and managers of spin-off and start-up companies is in the pipeline for Q1 2025 Prague, 24 September 2024: At the Prague.bio Conference 2024, the professional biotechnology association Prague.bio celebrated its 1-year anniversary. The conference, which took place on 24 September in Prague's Slovansky dum, welcomed 300 visitors from scientists, biotechnology experts and innovators from all over the world. The interest that the event had already registered last year was confirmed and even increased. Biotechnology, as one of the key technologies of the future, has its place and room for further development in the Czech Republic. This year's event focused more on technology transfer to university spin-offs and building successful startups or partnerships between industry and academia, areas that offer considerable potential for better exploitation. "There was a lot of interest in this year's Prague.bio Conference, so logically we see potential for further growth. In addition to the possible expansion of the conference, we are also going to launch an educational programme in the first half of 2025, which will focus on future founders and managers of spin-off companies from Czech research institutes. We therefore want to further develop the topic, which was also covered in detail at this year's conference," says Petra Kinzlová, Director of Prague.bio. The lectures of two experts on the transfer of intellectual property and the startup environment attracted a lot of attention this year. The conference was opened by Christian A. Stein, CEO of Ascenion GmbH, one of the largest technology transfer institutions in Germany, and founder of a several successful biotechnology companies. He spoke about the different models of IP licensing to start-ups from universities and research institutions, giving examples of models from the UK, the US and Israel, and a specific case study of Cardior, a spin-off of the Hannover Medical School, which was acquired this year by Novo Nordisk for €1.025 billion. Another speaker was Silicon Valley expert Petr Jansa, Executive Director for Medicinal Chemistry at Biomea Fusion (a publicly traded biotech company) and co-founder of other innovative start-ups. His expertise builds on his collaboration with Professor Antonín Holý and the development of new drugs at Gilead Sciences. His presentation summarized the sources of innovation that are currently driving the world of biotechnology in Silicon Valley. The conference also offered a showcase of 12 biotech startups from the CEE region. The expert jury then selected the 3 best presentations. The 1st place went to the Polish company nCage Therapeutics, which is developing technology for the creation of new types of vaccines. The jury selected the presentation of the Czech startup LAM-X as the 2nd best, in which they presented its antimicrobial nanotextile for wound dressings, significantly reducing the risk of infection. The third place was awarded to the Czech project ChemCell from the IOCB (Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry), whose team is developing cellular immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer. "Biotechnology is one of the key areas that can make a major contribution to our future, not only in health, but also in strengthening the competitiveness of our economy. Fostering technology transfer between research institutions and industry is essential if we are to translate cutting-edge scientific discoveries into innovative solutions that can succeed in the marketplace more quickly and efficiently. That's why I am glad that the Prague.bio Conference is of such interest and that in addition to the results of large research institutions or companies, innovative startup companies are also presenting here. I believe that the Czech Republic has great potential in this area," said Marek Ženíšek, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation. The conference was held under the auspices of the City of Prague and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the general partner was the global biopharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb, which is now also a member of the Prague.bio association, and presented its vision of healthcare in the future. "We are pleased to support the Prague.bio 2024 Conference, which gives us the opportunity to get to know innovative ideas from Czech scientific institutions, as well as promising startups from the Central European region. At the conference, we also presented one of our visions of digital health, which combines digital technologies with diagnostic methods and has the potential to change clinical practice and ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient in the future," said Karin Bacmaňáková, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, Czech Republic. Prague.bio Prague.bio was founded in August 2023 with the aim of developing the biotechnology segment in the wider Prague region. The association connects important actors in the public, private and academic spheres and promotes the region as a biotechnology hub on the map of Europe. Members of Prague.bio are the Institute of Biotechnology of the CAS, Bristol Myers Squibb, dubanska & co., i&i Prague, Kapaji, MCB Lab, Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the CAS, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS, University of Chemical Technology in Prague, Wolf Theiss and Zentiva. Media contact: Kristina Svobodová Marketing manager Prague.bio +420 725 935 900 svobodova@prague.bio

We are your new team member, leading your journey from groundbreaking invention to market-storming product. Incubation We help invention grow! For scientists aiming to commercialize their innovations, i&i Prague offers step-by-step support, including market analysis, initial funding, and early industry feedback. We connect you with experts from science, law, and industry to ensure your project’s success. We are your new team member, leading your journey from groundbreaking invention to market-storming product. Incubation process Unlock the full potential of your scientific discovery. Our team of experts will provide you with the support you need to successfully commercialize your innovation. Our incubation program includes four basic phases: Idea Evaluation, Pre-Incubation, Incubation and Post-Incubation phase. IDEA EVALUATION Content: Project introduction Duration: Individual Result: Yes/No futher discussion The Idea Evaluation lasts a few weeks. It begins with an introductory meeting to assess the project’s fit with our focus. If relevant, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is signed, allowing the team to share confidential data. After that, our team internally analyses the technology’s scientific and commercial potential . The result is a clear decision: either approval or rejection for entry into our program. PRE-INCUBATION Content: Mentoring Duration: Individual Result: Incubation decision In the Pre-Incubation phase , we tailor each project individually . During the second phase of our program, we provide mentoring and hold regular update meetings to track progress and refine the project’s potential. The result of the Pre-Incubation phase is the signing of the Incubation term sheet and incubation agreement. INCUBATION Content: Full-speed project development Duration: Up to 36 months Result: Startup establishment The Incubation phase is the third step of our program, lasting up to 36 months . We focus on market analysis , creating a business plan , building a team (including a CEO ), and developing a proof of concept (PoC) or prototype . We also facilitate investor connections and provide financial support for the startup’s establishment . The result is either the incorporation of a new startup or out-licensing . POST-INCUBATION Content: Startup further support Duration: Individual Result: Support until successful exit The Post-Incubation phase provides ongoing support tailored to the startup’s needs for up to 10 years . Our support includes assistance with business developmen t, access to our expert network , and, if approved, optional investment . The result of the last of our incubation program is either a successful company exit or i&i Prague’s exit from the company . Contact us If you are interested in joining our incubation program, let us know. Our incubation program is open for projects from the Czech Republic and Poland. First Name Last Name Email Message Thanks for submitting! Send

Elphogene, s.r.o. received a TA CR grant for “Sample prep system and technology for cancer testing by liquid biopsy”! Elphogene, s.r.o., an i&i Prague supported start-up, just received grant from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (referred to as the “TA CR“) for the project “Sample prep system and technology for cancer testing by liquid biopsy”. Congratulations! Prague, September 10, 2020 – Elphogene, s.r.o. in cooperation with Thomayer Hospital and the Institute of Analytical Chemistry of the CAS, v. v. i. (IAC) received a grant from the TA CR within the Program for the Support of Industrial Research and Experimental Development TREND. The aim of the 4-year project is the development of new methods and technological procedures for the diagnosis of cancer, based on liquid biopsy – a non-invasive testing for the presence of a tumor in a patient’s body. “Receiving financial support for our project will allow us to continue adapting and further developing our oncoMonitor™ technology test, which we currently provide to cancer patients to monitor treatment and early detection of disease recurrence.“ says Marek Minarik, principal investigator of the project, Co-Founder and CEO of Elphogene. The newly developed methodology will be universally applicable in the sample preparation process and compatible with the current most commonly used methods for liquid biopsy. The ultimate result will be an increase in the analytical sensitivity of the test, which will enable the extension of clinical utility. The project, which represents a unique involvement of the three different types of entities – a commercial start-up, a research academic institution, and a top medical facility, thus has a social dimension as well. “The development of a new version of the test, carried out as part of the supported project, aims at a possibility of using a liquid biopsy in earlier stages of cancer, or even for the diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals. This, in turn, can contribute not only to reducing mortality and improving patient health care but also soften the economic impact due to reducing the overall cost of the health care in relation to this highly serious disease.” says Tomas Buchler, Head of the Department of Oncology of the First Medical Faculty of Charles University and Thomayer Hospital. The project will also be the first where Thomayer Hospital participates in a research and development leading to the commercialization of a service or product with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Without the direct involvement of this Comprehensive Oncology Center, it would not be possible to perform clinical validations that are key to the planned outcomes.

i&i Prague and the Nencki Institute launch collaboration to develop an innovative test for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease Prague/Warsaw, July 14, 2025 – Czech biotech incubator and venture builder i&i Prague has begun a collaboration with the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences. This partnership, which builds on the long-standing relationship between the Nencki Institute and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, aims to support the development of a technology focused on creating a diagnostic test capable of detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. i&i Prague is a seasoned incubator focused on transferring scientific discoveries into practice. Founded around the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, it supports innovations in drug development, diagnostics, and medical technologies. The organization helps researchers transform their ideas into functioning companies, provides expert advice, connects them with investors and specialists, and guides them on the journey from lab to real-world patients. “Alzheimer’s disease is one of the greatest challenges of modern medicine, yet no reliable tool for its early detection exists today. The project initiated at the Nencki Institute brings hope for change. We are proud to support the research team in transforming this discovery into a real product,” said Iva Machová, Incubation Manager and Regional Manager for Poland at i&i Prague. “We believe that the incubation of this project is just the beginning of a long journey that will help unique Polish scientific ideas to find their way from the lab to the market,” she added. The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology is one of the foremost research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, maintaining a long-standing focus on neuroscience and translational research in metabolic diseases. Through its interdisciplinary approach and international collaborations, the institute has successfully generated discoveries with strong application potential. The project concentrating on the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is the outcome of intensive research, which is now entering a new phase thanks to the support of i&i Prague. “Our goal is to transform cutting-edge science into real benefits for society. The project aimed at the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease possesses not only high scientific value but also immense societal impact. Thanks to our collaboration with i&i Prague, we now have a genuine opportunity to bring this technology to patients – and that is our true motivation,” said Agnieszka Dobrzyń, Director of the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology. Contact for journalists: Martin Kovalčík, kovalcik@iniprague.com , +420 777 472 863

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.