The Warsaw Genomics spin-off, that aims to develop and deliver highly sensitive and accurate evidence-based genetic tests, and a research team which discovered a universal method for stabilising mRNA molecules were awarded during the ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the University Technology Transfer Centre establishment.
The University Technology Transfer Centre of the University of Warsaw (UTTC) is the oldest technology transfer centre in Poland. It was established in 1998. UTTC is responsible for comprehensive support for commercialisation, and implementation of the results of scientific work. It deals with, e.g. technology brokering, and all formalities related to the protection of patents and intellectual property. Moreover, it helps researchers to obtain grants and external funding.
On 27th November, the UW authorities, UTTC directors, members of UW corporate spin-offs, researchers, and representatives of business attended the ceremony of 20th anniversary of the University Technology Transfer Centre establishment. The event was a great opportunity to discuss challenges which Polish universities need to face if they want to strengthen collaboration with business and social environment.
During the meeting, UW corporate spin-offs were awarded. The main awards, however, went to the Warsaw Genomics spin-off and the research team that discovered a universal method for stabilising mRNA molecules.
Warsaw Genomics consists of doctors and scientists whose main mission is to develop and deliver highly sensitive and accurate evidence-based genetic tests. With the application of cutting-edge genetic analysis tools, they search for disease-causing errors in the human genome sequence. Warsaw Genomics is led by Prof. Krystian Jażdżewski and Prof. Anna Wójcicka. It carries out a programme called Badamy Geny which aim is to identify the risk of getting cancer. In 2017, Warsaw Genomics was recognised by the Central European Startup Awards as the best start-up in Poland. Currently, researchers are going to present their offer to partners in Germany.
The second main award was given to the UW researchers, Prof. Jacek Jemielity, Dr. Joanna Kowalska and Prof. Edward Darżynkiewicz, who discovered a universal method for stabilising mRNA molecules. Thanks to their invention, drug manufacturers can produce anti-cancer vaccines and target therapies that can precisely stimulate the production of specific types of proteins in the human body. In 2018, the research team received a nomination for the European Inventor Award 2018 in the research category.
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