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NanoGroup S.A. expands its operations to a new research area and will develop innovative products in targeted oncological treatment

NanoGroup S.A. has submitted an application for funding under the COMPETITION FOR ENTREPRENEURS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH IN THE AREA OF DRUG SAFETY, INNOVATIVE THERAPIES AND FUTURE DRUGS COMPETITION NUMBER: 2024/ABM/05/KPO financed by the Medical Research Agency. The Polish biotechnology company is applying for funds for the development of targeted therapies for oncological treatment using conjugates.

The progress in oncology that we are witnessing has meant that today many cancers are no longer referred to as terminal illnesses, but as chronic diseases. New, targeted therapies offer a chance for a complete cure of cancer if detected early, as well as a longer life for patients with advanced or generalized disease. Particular hopes are placed in conjugates. These are innovative delivery systems that consist of a carrier, a targeting agent, and a cytostatic drug.

Research on conjugates is another area that NanoGroup S.A. intends to develop, and the company plans to obtain funds for this purpose, among others, from the Medical Research Agency. These funds will allow for financing research and development works until the commencement of preclinical studies on animals.

The development of conjugate technology is one of the milestones included in the NanoGroup S.A. strategy for 2023-2025. The company has already made preparations for its implementation – based on its own analytical model, five active particles out of 250 with the greatest therapeutic and market potential were selected.

The researchers now face further work that is to lead to the creation of new functional combinations of selected cytostatic drugs with a carrier and a targeting factor. Dextran, a water-soluble biocompatible polysaccharide with a three-dimensional structure and a large loading capacity for drugs and targeting factors, will be used as the carrier. In implementing this project, the company uses the experience and patents already gained within the capital group.

The project is planned to develop pathways for the synthesis of conjugates, investigate the kinetics of drug release depending on pH, conduct in vitro studies of conjugate binding on cancer cell lines, perform comparative studies of conjugate cytotoxicity in relation to the effect of the free drug, and conduct preliminary studies in mice.

The competition for entrepreneurs to carry out research in the area of drug safety, innovative therapies and medicines of the future is organized as part of the National Plan for Reconstruction and Increased Resilience Component D Efficiency, availability and quality of the healthcare system. The main goal of the initiative is to increase the efficiency and quality of the healthcare system by supporting the Polish research and development potential in the biomedical area. A total amount of PLN 350 million has been earmarked for the implementation of the tasks, with the minimum value of funding for one project being PLN 2 million and the maximum being PLN 12 million.

Copyright © NanoGroup 2024

Paweł Ciach

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Diplomat and specialist in the marketing and media industry. Graduate of the Department of International Relations at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations in Paris and history and sociology at the Higher School of Social Sciences at the Faculty of History in Paris. Graduate of the Diplomatic Academy (Diplomatische Akademie) in Vienna and Postgraduate Management Studies at the Faculty of Management at the University of Warsaw. Worked as a journalist, publicist, reviewer, translator and foreign correspondent. Former advisor to the president of the board for media relations at the Agricultural Market Agency and president of the board of Press-Net. Public Relations trainer, among others at: Migut Media, Knowledge, ECU International, Advertising Academy Adam Śledański. He served as director of the board office of the Association of Organizations for the Employment of Disabled Persons and president of the board of the foundation “Niezależny. Fundacja na rzecz Nieprawni”. Lecturer at the Institute of Journalism of the Warsaw School of Advertising.

Jose Arrieta

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Jose Arrieta is the former Chief Information Officer and Chief Data Officer of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. He oversaw $6.3B in IT investments, $800B in grants and $26B in Federal contracts in his last three years at HHS. He provided cyber security solutions for 174,000 people and a network that transacted with over 160 countries around the world. Jose led the creation and implementation of the largest public health surveillance capability in the United States during the pandemic and led the implementation of a national supervised machine learning effort to accurately distribute testing supplies and predict pandemic “hot spots” across the United States. He successfully defended the HHS network against multiple large scale nation state driven cyber-attacks. He led the first three implementations of blockchain technology in the public sector in the United States one of which was focused on reducing costs and speeding up procurement lifecycle. Jose was a cabinet level agency executive in the following positions: deputy assistant secretary for acquisition and grants, chief information officer, chief data officer, small business executive chief acquisition executive and senior procurement executive. Jose managed the largest contracting vehicle in the United States. He created and taught the first blockchain course (blockchain and cryptos) at Johns Hopkins University and taught business courses at University of Virginia and Prince George’s Community College. He founded small incubator called imagineeer when he left Government and works with customers and advises start-ups in the following markets: healthcare, food, energy, climate change, streaming and analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. He is a member of the Navy Secretary’s Science and Technology Advisory Board.

Marek Borzestowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

For many years, President of the Management Board of NanoGroup, a holding company of biotechnology companies. Entrepreneur, manager and founder of many innovative companies with over 20 years of experience as co-owner and board member in leading Polish biotechnology, IT and e-commerce companies. After over a decade of work as president of the first internet portal in Poland – Wirtualna Polska, he founded the Polish-Israeli VC Giza Polish Ventures. Founder of the Sobieski Institute think tank, Startup Hub Poland Foundation. Member of supervisory boards in many innovative companies. Marek is a graduate of the Faculty of Management and Economics of the Gdańsk University of Technology, he also studied at the University of Wales in Great Britain. He conducted scientific research at the Center for Nuclear Research in Karlsruhe and the Gdańsk University of Technology.

Artur Olender

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Investor, entrepreneur and financial advisor with over 28 years of professional experience. He managed the oldest Polish brokerage company – DM Penetrator S.A. Partner in Addventure and chairman of the supervisory boards of Intersport Polska S.A., Ailleron S.A., Archicom S.A., Sotis Sp. z o.o., OTC S.A. Former advisor to the Minister of Ownership Transformations and the Minister of the Treasury in privatization processes. Active participant in many environmental and legislative initiatives for the development of the Polish capital market. He participated in the implementation of dozens of projects to raise capital on the private and stock exchange market. He introduced to the stock exchange, among others, Mostostal Warszawa, Odlewnie Polskie, Poligrafia, WSiP, Polmos Białystok, Intersport, K2, Inteliwise, Cyfrowy Polsat, OT Logistic, Mercator Medical, Ailleron and Archicom. He studied at AGH and London Business School. Privately: windsurfer, sailor, skier, traveler, poet, composer and philanthropist.

Tadeusz Wesołowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

A well-known investor focused on companies from the medical and biotechnology industries. He has extensive professional experience in the healthcare sector. Founder of Prosper S.A., which is part of the NEUCA S.A. Capital Group – the leader of the pharmaceutical distribution market in Poland. Member of the supervisory boards of companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange: NEUCA, Selvita and Braster. He is also involved in Venture Capital funds: Inovo and Experior. Doctor of Technical Sciences, graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology.

Robert Dziubłowski

Member of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Co-founder of Top Consulting S.A., one of the oldest consulting companies on the Polish market. He has over 25 years of international experience in the field of investment consulting, capital raising for companies, market acquisitions and company management. Long-time consultant to American financial organizations on Wall Street in New York, including those listed on the NASDAQ and NYSE stock exchanges. He advised, among others: Household International in preparing an acquisition strategy and obtaining a banking license in Poland, Wussler Group, a partner of Ted Turner Pictures in its attempt to take over NTV, the largest private television station in Russia, Eiffage Construction in the takeover of Mitex, the largest construction company at that time, Industrial Union of Donbas, an industrial group in Ukraine. Member, chairman and president of supervisory boards of many companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, including: Bauma S.A. (currently ULMA S.A.), Computerland Poland S.A. (currently Signity), PolAqua S.A. Co-founder of the Start-up Hub Poland Fund. Graduate of the Faculty of Journalism and Political Science at the University of Warsaw and International Relations at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

Jerzy Garlicki

President of the Supervisory Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Medical doctor, also completed MBA, effective manager. Organizer of business model and company structures – experienced in building and developing companies and conducting restructuring processes of enterprises. In the past director and motivator of large companies and teams of people. A man recognizable as a leader in the Polish pharmaceutical industry. Member of the Supervisory Board of American Heart of Poland SA and President of WSiP SA. Previously President of Astra Zeneca Sp. z o.o., President of Fournier Polska Sp. z o.o., Sales Director of Pfizer Polska Sp. z o.o., Sales Director and Marketing Director of MSD Poland – also operating in the area of clinical trials.

Prof. Tomasz Ciach

Founder, Member of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Nanotechnology expert. Professor at the Faculty of Chemical and Processing Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, head of the Biotechnology and Bioprocessing Division. Author of two technologies that are already in production stage, 12 granted patents and over 50 publications. Founder of BioMedLab research group, consultant in numerous companies (AstraZeneca, Procter and Gamble, Reckit, Adamed, Balton, Galmed). Work on various aspects of Biomedical Engineering, mostly on biomedical nanotechnology, active coatings for medical implants, nanoparticles for cancer treatment, biodegradable and nonbiodegradable implants, bone and vascular prosthesis. He gives rare, but already brilliant example of how brave ideas become socially and financially valuable.

Piotr Mierzejewski

Vice President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Clinical pharmacology specialist, former advisor to the Minister of Health on drug policy. He negotiated Poland’s accession to the EU in the field of pharmacy, responsible for the implementation of EU directives in the field of pharmacy into the Polish legal system. Co-founder of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products. Owner of a consulting company cooperating with international pharmaceutical companies in the field of introducing new technologies to the Polish market.

Przemysław Mazurek

President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Associated with the health market since 2004. As Managing Director, he restructured and developed the most dynamically operating Medical Center in the Podkarpacie region, creating and setting new standards of customer service quality on the market. Co-creator of the first solution in Poland for online registration of medical appointments. Co-founder of the first and only Infertility Treatment Clinic (MEDICOR) in Podkarpacie, which he headed as the President until 2009. He was responsible for the development of health insurance in the PZU Group. As Vice President of PZU Pomoc S.A. created the largest medical TPA in Poland to handle health insurance. Co-founder of the first drug insurance in Poland. Since 2015, he has been active in the field of Wealth Management and advises on management and finance. A graduate of International Economic and Political Relations as well as Management and Marketing at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Przemysław Mazurek

President of the Management Board of NANOGROUP S.A.

Associated with the health market since 2004. As Managing Director, he restructured and developed the most dynamically operating Medical Center in the Podkarpacie region, creating and setting new standards of customer service quality on the market. Co-creator of the first solution in Poland for online registration of medical appointments. Co-founder of the first and only Infertility Treatment Clinic (MEDICOR) in Podkarpacie, which he headed as the President until 2009. He was responsible for the development of health insurance in the PZU Group. As Vice President of PZU Pomoc S.A. created the largest medical TPA in Poland to handle health insurance. Co-founder of the first drug insurance in Poland. Since 2015, he has been active in the field of Wealth Management and advises on management and finance. A graduate of International Economic and Political Relations as well as Management and Marketing at the Warsaw School of Economics.