Horizon for Excellence in messenger RNA applications in immunoOncology

We know the results of the first competition of the Virtual Research Institute (WIB). Experts chose one out of 12 submitted projects, which they recommended for funding. Its authors have a chance to receive nearly PLN 70 million for research in new cancer therapies.

The experts’ recommendation received the application entitled “Horizon of Excellence in Matrix RNA Applications in Immuno-Oncology [HERO]”. The project was submitted by the scientists from the consortium of the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (research team leader unit), University of Warsaw, Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw. The team leader is prof. dr hab. Andrzej Dziembowski. The budget of the research task is PLN 69,160,450.00.

Application “Horizon for Excellence in messenger RNA applications in immunOncology [HERO]” received the experts’ recommendation. The project was submitted by the scientists from the consortium of the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (unit of the research team leader), University of Warsaw, Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw. The team leader is prof. Andrzej Dziembowski. The budget of the research task is PLN 69,160,450.00.

The primary objective of the research task is to develop a highly effective therapeutic mRNA design  and apply it for cancer immunotherapy. Positive evaluation of the project was primarily due to the high commercialization potential of the expected products of the task. Experts emphasized the great interest of the pharmaceutical industry in mRNA technology, which is currently one of the most innovative development directions in the pharmaceutical industry. The key personnel, whose members have achieved numerous successes in scientific activity and significant achievements in commercialization, were also highly rated.

The contract is going to be signed at the turn of November and December this year.

Virtual Research Institute is a program funding research with high commercialization potential in the area of medical biotechnology – oncology. 12 applications for the funding of PLN 509 million in total were submitted during the first call of proposals. The applications were subjected to formal and substantive evaluation based on scientific, economic-social (business) criteria. The Łukasiewicz Research Network – PORT Polish Center for Technology Development from Wrocław acts as the Managing Entity for the Virtual Research Institute.