We focus on unique ideas that have the potential to succeed on a global scale. We are dedicated to innovations in Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, MedTech and other Life Science fields that originate from academic institutions. Our portfolio We help invention grow! We help turn groundbreaking scientific discoveries into successful startups and spin-offs. By connecting innovation with capital and expertise, we create growth opportunities. Our objective is to identify new inventions in Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, MedTech and other Life Science fields. This is an overview of our current portfolio: Portofolio companies Adalid Science Novel lipid nanoparticles for effective drug delivery Czech Republic Read More Dracen Pharmaceuticals Tumor-Directed Glutamine Antagonist Czech Republic/ USA Read More PerioTrap Curative treatment of periodontitis Germany Read More Sophomer Syntetic polymer for immunoassays Czech Republic Read More CasInvent Pharma Casein Kinase 1 inhibitors for cancer treatment Czech Republic Read More LAM-X Light-activated nanomaterials fighting infections Czech Republic Read More Reecyclium Separation of rare elements from permanent magnets Czech Republic Read More Sulfotools Green peptide synthesis technology Germany Read More Deep MedChem AI-based tools accelerating drug discovery Czech Republic Read More Pep-Therapy Innovative peptides for oncology France Read More Sampling Human Yeast cell based biocomputing Czech Republic/USA Read More Taveren Therapeutics New tumor suppressors to combat various cancers Czech Republic Read More Projects in incubation Here you will find a list of projects that are currently included in our incubation programme: Promental Health In vitro diagnostic panel of novel microRNA biomarkers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Poland Read More Nanoflexion Revolutionary nanofiber-based surgical patch designed to prevent anastomotic leakage and postoperative adhesions. Czech Republic Read More CLLEVERT A system for liquid-liquid microseparations, enabling sample preparation for GC and HPLC analysis. Czech Republic Read More FunBRUSH Antifouling polymer coating technology enhancing the performance and durability of chip surfaces. Czech Republic Read More Our exits Our role is to help launch new startups or spin-offs. The moment our role ends, the exit follows. Here is an overview of our exits: Diana Biotechnologies Pharmaceuticals and highly sensitive diagnostics Czech Republic Read More Elphogene Liquid biopsy technology for cancer diagnostics Czech Republic Read More Riocath New technology used in the production of catheters Czech Republic Read More

We are looking for Junior Incubation & Market Intelligence Manager At i&i Prague, we identify promising technologies and research projects and help transform them into successful biotech, medtech and diagnostics startups, with a strong focus on the CEE region. We are looking for a Junior Incubation & Market Intelligence Manager to support technology scouting, project incubation and market intelligence, while helping our team make effective use of AI and digital tools. What you will do Scout promising technologies and early-stage projects across CEE, particularly Czechia and Poland. Assess technology, IP, market potential, team readiness, competition and commercialization opportunities. Research emerging technologies, markets, competitors, customers and industry trends. Work with researchers and project teams to understand technologies, applications and development needs. Support customer discovery, market validation and technology transfer. Drive project development by defining priorities, milestones and next steps. Prepare projects for industry partnerships, licensing, investment and company formation. Help transform promising projects into viable businesses and spin-offs. Explore and implement AI tools and automation for scouting, market analysis, project evaluation and internal workflows. Turn complex scientific and commercial information into clear, actionable recommendations for incubation and investment decisions. What we are looking for University degree in biotech, life sciences, medtech, diagnostics or a related scientific field. 1–3 years of relevant experience in technology scouting, technology transfer, consulting, startups or project management. Strong market research and analytical skills, including market, competitor and customer analysis. Commercial mindset and ability to translate scientific opportunities into commercial potential. Practical experience implementing AI-powered workflows for research, scouting, analysis and internal processes. Proactive and independent approach, strong communication skills and willingness to take ownership. Fluent Czech is essential, along with a strong command of English. What we offer Work at the intersection of science, technology and business. Direct involvement in innovative early-stage biotech projects and startups. Collaboration with researchers, founders, investors and international partners. An entrepreneurial environment with room to learn, grow and take responsibility. International exposure across the CEE life-science ecosystem. 5 weeks of holiday, sick days, MultiSport card, meal allowance, employer contribution to pension savings, Edenred benefits card for leisure activities, and the possibility of partial home office after the onboarding period. I want to send my CV If you are interested, please send us your CV using this form. Fill out the form

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?

We are i&i Prague, a biotech incubator and venture builder located right in the heart of Europe. Our objective is to identify the potential of new inventions in Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, MedTech and other Life Science fields. i&i Prague Let your invention grow! We are a biotech incubator and venture builder, helping groundbreaking ideas leap from lab to market. We focus on innovations in drug development, diagnostics, medical technologies, and other life sciences , specialising in supporting start-ups in the early stages of their development . We provide expert consulting in scientific, legal, business, and other areas essential for the successful growth of new companies. We build a unique network of startups, investors, industrial partners, and biotechnology experts, enabling effective collaboration and knowledge sharing. Our support For scientists who want to commercialise their innovations, we offer step-by-step support in setting up a company. Our incubation program includes the following support: MARKET INFORMATION Get relevant market analysis & market need. INDUSTRY INTEREST Gain early-on industry feedback. INITIAL FUNDING Obtain the initial funding for your startup. INVESTOR CONTACTS Be ready to meet your first investors. Read more Latest news JOB FOR YOU Currently, we are looking for a Junior Incubation and Market Intelligence Manager to our team Read more PODCAST CHEMAGAZÍNtalks podcast – Jan Berka: "We held the unofficial record for the longest DNA reading." Read more BLOG Our "Swiss Journey" Continues: From CometX in Zurich to the Innovation Biotech Day 2025 in Prague Read more PRESS RELEASE i&i Prague, TUL, and the Faculty of Medicine of CU in Pilsen will support the Nanoflexion technology Read more Our Portfolio Read more i&i Biotech Fund I In 2021, we established the i&i Biotech Fund in cooperation with the European Investment Fund. It is the venture capital firm that invests in innovative European life sciences companies focused on drug discovery, medical devices, diagnostics, and digital health. Read more Our partners ACADEMIA INVESTORS INDUSTRY/BUSINESS STAKEHOLDERS

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

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 .

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* What field does your project belong to (drug discovery, diagnostics, MedTech...)?* What is the IP status of your project? What is the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your project? Please attach a pitch deck, one-pager, flyer, or other documentation related to your project. Upload File Would you like to tell us more about your project? Send

"I love the feeling you get when you discover something new," says Kamila Burdová, the new incubation manager at i&i Prague Kamila joined i&i Prague in May this year. 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. “I want to be part of a team that can turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that will help people,” says Kamila about her work at i&i Prague. Kamila, in your CV, we find some interesting addresses such as Oxford and Sussex. What made you return to the Czech Republic? I spent a total of four years in England, specifically from 2018 to 2022. One year I was at Oxford and three at the University of Sussex. There were two reasons for my return. The first important factor was Brexit and everything that came with it. Prices skyrocketed, and some goods became unavailable. It all brought enormous uncertainty, which I didn’t want to endure long-term. The second reason was that I was approached by a former colleague who was expanding her activities to Switzerland and was looking for someone to help her run her laboratory in Prague. Am I right in understanding that a scientist working in the United Kingdom had trouble financing everyday life after Brexit? Unfortunately yes. I moved to the UK shortly after the referendum and left a few months after the Hard Brexit. I lived in some of the most expensive parts of the country, and sadly, living there as a postdoctoral researcher became economically unsustainable. So you returned to the Czech Republic to work in academia. Why did you decide to leave and join i&i Prague? I had been thinking about leaving academia for some time, mainly due to uncertainty about the future. The negatives started to outweigh the positives, and the academic environment stopped fulfilling me personally. So when I came across the position at i&i Prague, I knew right away. Here I can use what I enjoy most about science, but at the same time look at it from a completely different perspective. So when I came across the position at i&i Prague, I knew right away. Here I can use what I enjoy most about science, but at the same time look at it from a completely different perspective. KAMILA BURDOVÁ Incubation Manager What do you enjoy most about science? The necessity of constantly learning. And then that feeling you get when you discover something new, something no one else has ever seen before. At i&i Prague, you work as an incubation manager. What exactly does this role involve? For projects going through our incubation program, we help with all the key aspects of launching a biotech startup. We assess the quality of the technology and the team’s readiness, the technology’s potential, intellectual property issues, and propose financing strategies. After joining, I started to be involved in multiple projects in different stages of the incubation process. Sometimes the work is more scientific, other times more business-oriented. In your view, how can the gap between science and business be bridged? I think this gap is mainly caused by a lack of information. Many scientists have no idea that commercialization is even an option. And those who have heard of it often hold misconceptions and are full of mistrust. We need to systematically raise awareness of this topic – include it in university curricula and show the benefits it can bring. It’s a long-distance run, but that’s the only way we’ll bridge this gap. What excites me more is being part of a team that manages to turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that helps people. That’s the goal for me. KAMILA BURDOVÁ Incubation Manager What types of projects do you enjoy the most? All our projects are interesting. However, projects related to my scientific background, such as cell therapies and drug development, are still closest to my heart. What do you think is the biggest weakness of Czech biotech? A major problem is definitely the low number of companies engaged in research. For a young scientist, it’s not easy to find a path outside academia if they want to continue doing science. Larger companies with in-house research are extremely scarce here. Do you have a dream project? I don’t have a specific area or technology I dream of. What excites me more is being part of a team that manages to turn a unique scientific idea into a real product that helps people. That’s the goal for me. I know that travelling and discovering new flavours are big hobbies of yours. Do you see any parallel with science? Absolutely! The kitchen is essentially a kind of home laboratory. And just like science, it’s about experimenting, discovering, and learning new things. Both have fascinated me all my life. So if you had to choose just one room, would it be the laboratory or the kitchen? Honestly? I’ve had my fill of laboratories. So at the moment, the kitchen – and discovering all those fascinating flavours the world has to offer. Thank you for the interview. Author: Martin Kovalčík

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

New startup in our portfolio: Sophomer's technology will make immunoassays faster, easier and cheaper The originators of SophoMer in their chemical laboratory. Prague, February 7, 2023. The academic startup Sophomer today announced the signing of a licensing agreement to commercialize a technology that can replace the traditionally used bovine serum albumin (BSA) in immunoassays. The newly licensed technology has been developed in collaboration between the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS (IMC), Elisa Development and the bio-innovation center i&i Prague. The signing of the license agreement also officially accelerated the activities of the startup. Sophomer has also joined the portfolio of i&i Prague. BSA is one of the oldest industrially derived proteins. In immunoassays it is primarily used as a blocker, which makes the measurements more accurate by suppressing unwanted signals. It is derived from bovine serum, which poses a number of problems. These include the risk of pathogen transmission, which means that this material must be tested rigorously and expensively and its use is subject to certification to confirm its safety. "Logically, there is no such risk with our technology, as our product is fully synthetic. This eliminates other problems, whether it is the variability in reproduction of production, the relatively high price, which increases with the requirement for higher purity, or the complex disposal of the material. The ethical aspect of the whole matter is also not negligible," says Jan Plicka of Elisa Development and a leading expert in the development of diagnostic devices. Sophomer's technology will find application wherever immunoassays is a basic working tool. It has the potential to greatly assist in biochemical laboratories, in the development of In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) devices, in the monitoring of environmental contaminations, in food laboratories for the determination of allergen content, or in immunoassays in veterinary laboratories. "Our ambitions continue to grow as our research progresses, but the main idea remains the same: to make the work of our fellow developers and researchers faster, easier and, to a large extent, cheaper. We want them to be able to focus without distraction on their own ideas and the challenges that their demanding, extremely important and at the same time low-visibility work brings to the public," adds Martin Burkhard, CEO of Sophomer. A great example of technology transfer The creation of the start-up Sophomer is a prime example of technology transfer and the linking of science and industry. "At the beginning of the story there was a need for diagnostic test manufacturers, which we were able to identify thanks to our network of contacts. We then searched academia for a technology suitable to address this need. We found a suitable technology at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry and, after successful validation tests, we assembled a joint development team," says Jiří Moos from the i&i Prague Bio-Innovation Center, which has been behind the project from the very beginning. Among other things, i&i Prague also participated in the creation of a startup that has been included in the portfolio of this bio-innovation center. "We are currently helping to find customers for the developed polymer Sophomer F10, while continuing to co-develop other products. We are also well on our way to arranging the first investment that will help kick-start the company's activities," adds Jiří Moos. Synthesis of a polymer product at a defined temperature in a bath. A team of scientists at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry began developing the technology that led to the establishment of Sophomer about two years ago. "I am very pleased that we have managed to bring our joint efforts to the successful signing of a licensing agreement. We have thus taken an important step towards ensuring that the quality work of our scientists finds its application in real life. This builds on our previous successful transfers of basic research results into practice. I believe that this technology from the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry will significantly simplify the performance of immunoassays," adds Jiří Kotek, Director of the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS. Contact Martin Kovalčík, 777 472 863, kovalcik@iniprague.com The signing of a licensing agreement from the right: Jiří Moos, Martin Burkhard, Jiří Kotek, Jan Plicka and Alexandr Krajhanzl The signing of a licensing agreement Jiří Kotek, Director of the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS The signing of a licensing agreement Alexandr Krajhanzl, i&i Prague The signing of a licensing agreement from the right: Jiří Moos, Martin Burkhard, Jiří Kotek, Jan Plicka and Alexandr Krajhanzl 1/6 About Sophomer Sophomer Ltd. is an academic startup founded by a group of people who come from both industry and academia. Their vision is to bring together two seemingly unrelated fields: immunoassays and polymer chemistry to help anyone who uses immunochemical assays in their work. One of the startup's first and widely applicable products is SophoMer(TM), a polymer that can replace the widely used bovine serum albumin in immunochemical assays, currently a component without which the development of immunological analytics is seemingly unimaginable. Read more here: www.sophomer.com . About Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS, v. v. i. (IMC) The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the CAS, v. v. i. (IMC) is the largest research institution in the field of polymer and polymer materials research in the Czech Republic. In this field, it is also among the most important academic research centres in the world. IMC has a knowledge potential of more than 120 scientists in the key fields of macromolecular chemistry, physical chemistry and polymer physics, as well as in related fields such as biochemistry or biomedical or materials engineering. Although the institute is primarily focused on basic research, it also works closely with the application sphere, as evidenced by a number of applied basic research results. Read more here: www.imc.cas.cz/eng . 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 Elisa Development Elisa Development, in cooperation with the Food Research Institute Prague, has previously developed and marketed several ELISA format immunoassay kits for the quantitative detection of food allergens in food and food raw materials. During this development, the company's staff has repeatedly faced the problem of variable quality of BSA, which is very often used as a blocker of non-specific interactions. These problems were the impetus for the idea of replacing BSA derived from bovine serum with a synthetic polymer, which led to the approach to i&i Prague and subsequently to the collaboration with the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry.

LAM-X, a.s. won the 2020 EIT Health #MedTech Bootcamp final #Pitch Event i&i Prague supported start-up, LAM-X, a.s. , become a winner of the 2020 EIT Health #MedTech Bootcamp final #Pitch Event! After 5 intense, dense and focused full-time weeks in front of zoom, where the teams refined their business model, widened their network and worked on regulations and pitch skills, the 10 teams presented their projects to a curious, knowledgable jury: Jörg Trinkwalter, Olaf Weiner, Samuel Schuler and Stefan Fasbender – and LAM-X a.s. was evaluated as the most advanced! Congratulations!

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