EU Projects. IEOP Project

“CENTRE OF MEDICINAL PRODUCT BIOTECHNOLOGY.
Package of innovative biopharmaceuticals for human and animal therapy and prophylactics.”

The Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics, as a main contractor, together with the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN) and the University of Gdańsk implements a project known as “CENTRE OF MEDICINAL PRODUCT BIOTECHNOLOGY. Package of innovative biopharmaceuticals for human and animal therapy and prophylactics.” The Project is carried out under the Innovative Economy Operational Program 2007-2013.
PRIORITY 1: Badania i rozwój nowoczesnych technologii.
ACTION 1.1: Wsparcie badań naukowych dla budowy gospodarki opartej na wiedzy.
SUB-ACTION 1.1.2: Strategiczne programy badań naukowych i prac rozwojowych.
Funding for the project derives from the European Community funds of the European Fund for Regional Development in the amount of PLN 76 278 233.34 and domestic funds from the state budget in the amount of PLN 13 460 864.71. These funds are provided under agreement no. POIG.01.01.02-00-007/08-00 entered into on the 1st of December 2008 with the Minister of Science and Higher Education.

The project has been created as a result of progress in general and applied scientific studies conducted by the scientific establishments cooperating within the consortium. Research and development works on selected biopharmaceuticals were possible to be initiated as a result of the development of in-house systems of gene expression in microorganisms and cells of highly developed organisms, to be the base for the industrial property, and the experience in research on the development of medicinal products.

The project comprises of two major parts:

1. Insulin analogues with modified hypoglycaemic action,
2. Avian influenza vaccine.

As for the human insulin analogues with modified hypoglycaemic action, the project is a continuation of research on the technology of biopharmaceuticals carried out by the Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics which were commenced with the implementation of an in-house method of production of the first Polish biotechnology medication, namely recombined human insulin known as Gensulin.

As for the development of the avian influenza vaccine, the project is a continuation of the research on influenza (including the avian influenza), on methods of the development of antigens, immunological response, regimens of immunizations and the systems of manufacturing the vaccines against human and animal infections, conducted by the Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics and other members of the consortium.

Objectives of this project include:

• Improvement of human health protection in Poland and all over the world by the introduction of innovative insulin analogues with a modified action, into health care. Improvement of the availability of medical care for diabetes mellitus patients by the development of a new and significantly cheaper medication. The entire health care sector will benefit from savings in real terms in respect of the public expenses for the government-reimbursed drugs due to lower costs of treatment.
• Ensuring the safety of poultry production in Poland and worldwide by the development of an avian influenza vaccine, which might be used in industrial poultry production. Development of an effective avian influenza vaccine may significantly limit losses in the poultry sector (e.g. the costs of sanitary and epidemiological actions, necessity to slaughter whole flocks, costs of utilization of dead animals). Effective prevention of the disease will contribute to improvement in prosperity in the entire sector, and as a result increase the demand for poultry and poultry-related products.

Interview with Piotr Borowicz, Ph.D., the Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Antibiotics for the Newsletter of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (pl)

Interview with Piotr Borowicz, Ph.D., the Director of IBA for the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, 30.04.2010 (pl)

Interview with Piotr Borowicz, Ph.D., the Director of IBA for the Rzeczpospolita, 10.11.2011 (pl)

VIP_Polityka Biznes Fakty_Nr 2(33) kwiecień.czerwiec 2012 (pl)