Projects implemented with EU support

Employee Training at VUAB Pharma II

The aim of the project is to provide VUAB Pharma a.s. employees with training programs that will improve their qualifications, professional level, and work and personal competencies relevant to their position and the company’s development.

Energy Savings for Building 04

On 1 June 2016, the implementation of the project 'Energy Savings for Building 04' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.3.10/0.0/0.0/15_010/0001966, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness (Call I – Energy Savings).

The project was implemented in connection with the 'Innovated Injections' project. Its aim was to carry out building modifications and acquire technology to increase the efficiency of thermal energy distribution, thereby achieving electricity savings.

New Platinum Complexes for Antitumor Therapy

On 1 January 2017, the implementation of the project 'New Platinum Complexes for Antitumor Therapy' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/15_018/0004605, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness (APPLICATION I. CALL – WITHOUT ACTIVE COOPERATION).

The project addresses new platinum complexes (Pt(IV) complexes) with increased reactivity in the intracellular environment. The outcome will be an entirely new group of Pt(IV) complexes for antitumor therapy with increased toxicity and selectivity towards cancer cells, reduced toxicity to healthy cells, and good bioavailability from the gastrointestinal tract, enabling oral administration.

Research and Development of Proteolytics from Natural Sources for the Treatment of Thrombotic Conditions and Chronic Wounds

On 1 July 2017, the implementation of the project 'Research and Development of Proteolytics from Natural Sources for the Treatment of Thrombotic Conditions and Chronic Wounds' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/16_083/0010108, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness (APPLICATION III. CALL – WITHOUT ACTIVE COOPERATION).

The project aims to develop new and highly effective proteolytics (KR-X) derived from Antarctic krill. The outcome will be two prototypes of the proteolytic KR-X – one for the treatment of chronic wounds and one for thrombolysis of vascular thrombi – along with a technological process for their production. Due to the unique action of KR-X on undesirable fibrin and its fragments, it is expected that patients will experience better tolerability and lower pain levels compared to current, more aggressive enzymatic agents.

Methanol Regeneration – VUAB Pharma

On 31 May 2017, the implementation of the project 'Methanol Regeneration – VUAB Pharma' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.3.14/0.0/0.0/16_133/0010859, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme Low-Carbon Technologies II.

The project involves the planning, purchase, and implementation of an innovative technology – a distillation column for the regeneration of methanol from Nystatin production, including accessories, which, thanks to the new distillation system, will enable consistently more efficient processing of waste mixture for its reuse.

Poster ICCT2020

Expansion of the Research and Development Center for Cytostatic Medicines

On 1 January 2019, the implementation of the project 'Expansion of the Research and Development Center for Cytostatic Medicines' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/17_165/0015953, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme Potential.

The project aims to expand the research and development center to accelerate and improve the development of the final dosage forms of anticancer drugs, both original and generic, which were established in previous years. The existing center will be expanded through modernizing the equipment for the synthesis and testing of pharmaceuticals and upgrading the analytical infrastructure for the effective execution of chemical and microbiological analyses used in the research and development of medicinal products.

Open access to the VVC Brno infrastructure

Energy Savings by Intensifying Wastewater Treatment

On 8 January 2019, the implementation of the project 'Energy Savings by Intensifying Wastewater Treatment' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.3.10/0.0/0.0/18_183/0015937, financed from the funds of the European Fund through the Operational Programme for Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness (Energy Savings IV Call).

The project involves the implementation of proposed energy-saving measures according to the EP, leading to a reduction in the final energy consumption of VUAB Pharma a.s.

These measures are as follows:

• Intensification of the existing industrial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) of VUAB Pharma a.s. for processing production wastewater at its own technically suitable treatment facility at the point of origin, including the construction of buildings and installation of equipment enabling the production of an alternative energy source – biogas.

• Installation of a steam generator for technological purposes, which will utilize the biogas produced for steam generation. All steam produced will be used solely for technological purposes.

• Implementation of an energy management system according to ČSN EN ISO 50001, which will ensure the provision of the required forms of energy at the specified time, quality, and quantity while minimizing costs and reducing negative environmental impacts.

Development of the Final Dosage Form of a Fibrinolytic for Application in Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery and Its Potential Use in the Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Multiloculated Empyemas

On 1 September 2021, the implementation of the project 'Development of the Final Dosage Form of a Fibrinolytic for Application in Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery and Its Potential Use in the Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Multiloculated Empyemas' was initiated, with the project registration number CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_321/0024496, financed from the European Regional Development Fund through the Operational Programme for Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness (Application Program Call VIII).

The project aims to develop a final dosage form of a safe and effective fibrinolytic for the local treatment of chronic purulent inflammations in the thoracic cavity—an issue expected to increase in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic—as well as the development of an inhalable dosage form for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. The project builds on the development of a prototype of the active substance KR-X, whose production technology will be significantly improved to ensure higher stability and efficacy of the active substance.

Innovative Technology for the Production of Dacarbazine API

Dacarbazine (DTIC) is used in injection form for the treatment of metastatic melanoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and sarcoma. As the incidence of these cancers continues to rise, so does the demand for DTIC. VUAB Pharma a.s. is already a significant manufacturer and exporter of DTIC active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), and increasing demand is expected to attract stronger competition.

The objective of project FW10010489 is to innovate process technology, particularly the refining stage of crude DTIC, to significantly enhance the stability and functional properties of the anticancer drug dacarbazine. This innovation will improve the competitiveness of VUAB Pharma and increase DTIC API exports in global markets.

The project will result in a prototype of an improved dacarbazine API, distinguished by high chemical (color) stabilityand sub-threshold levels of NDMA. Additionally, the project will develop a verified production technology for this advanced dacarbazine. The technology will encompass chemical synthesis and multi-stage refining, ensuring exceptional product quality. Furthermore, the process will be optimized to reduce energy consumption, conserve resources, and minimize waste production.

The Innovative Technology for the Production of Dacarbazine API project is co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR) within the TREND Program, utilizing EU funds from the National Recovery Plan (Recovery and Resilience Facility - RRF).

New Platinum Complexes with Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy

The scope of project CZ.01.01.01/01/22_002/0001041 involves synthetic and formulation research and development of new orally available platinum-based anticancer drugs with enhanced antitumor efficacy, whose effectiveness and safety will be verified through in vitro and in vivo studies. These drugs have the potential to replace currently available platinum-based cytostatics, which, despite their high effectiveness, are relatively toxic.

The project will result in a utility model protecting the active pharmaceutical ingredient and its method of preparation, including analogous structures of platinum complexes with weakly bound equatorial ligands, as well as a functional sample of a medicinal product containing a platinum complex with proven in vivo antitumor efficacy and a defined toxicological profile.

The New Platinum Complexes with Enhanced Antitumor Efficacy project is co-financed by the European Unionunder the Operational Programme Technology and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAK, Call I.). The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic serves as the managing authority and grant provider for OP TAK.