The results of the first Virtual Research Institute (WIB) competition are now known. An international panel of experts has recommended a project aimed at developing new cancer therapy methods using therapeutic mRNA technology for funding. The project’s authors will receive nearly PLN 70 million to carry out the research.
The experts’ recommendation was granted to the proposal entitled “Horizon of Excellence in the Application of Messenger RNA in Immuno-Oncology [HERO].” The project was submitted by a consortium comprising the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (the host institution of the research team leader), the University of Warsaw, the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the Medical University of Warsaw. The total budget of the research task amounts to PLN 69,160,450.00.
The primary objective of the research, conducted under the leadership of Prof. Dr hab. Andrzej Dziembowski, is to develop a highly effective therapeutic mRNA technology and apply it in cancer immunotherapy. The project’s positive evaluation was driven mainly by the high commercialization potential of the expected outcomes. The experts emphasized the strong interest of the pharmaceutical industry in mRNA technology, which is currently one of the most innovative development directions in the pharmaceutical sector. The key personnel were also highly rated, with team members demonstrating numerous scientific achievements and significant experience in commercialization activities.
The signing of the project implementation agreement is planned for the turn of November and December of this year.
The Virtual Research Institute is a funding programme supporting research with high commercialization potential in one of the key areas of societal importance—medical biotechnology and oncology. The total funding pool available in the competition amounts to PLN 450 million. In the call, 12 funding applications were submitted with a combined value of PLN 509 million. The proposals underwent formal and substantive evaluation based on scientific as well as socio-economic criteria. The substantive assessment was carried out by external experts. The Managing Entity of the Virtual Research Institute programme is the Łukasiewicz Research Network Institute – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development in Wrocław.
