“Our shared goal is to significantly accelerate and streamline the development of biological drugs while bringing innovations that simplify the work of scientific teams,” says Petr Pompach, CEO and co-founder of AffiPro.
AffiPro s.r.o. specializes in the development and sale of enzymatic columns, robotic devices for hydrogen-deuterium exchange, and functionalized surfaces for clinical applications.
By entering the joint venture, the biotech startup AffiPro (Company ID 03889173) becomes a spin-off of the Institute of Microbiology, which now holds a 13.75% stake in the new entity, while 86.25% remains with the existing owners. The change was registered by the Municipal Court in Prague on May 14, 2025.
AffiPro s.r.o. focuses primarily on the development and distribution of enzymatic columns, a robotic device for hydrogen-deuterium exchange (pictured), and functionalized surfaces for clinical applications.
The smooth transfer process was supported by the Czech Academy of Sciences Technology Transfer Center (CETAV). Special thanks go to Šimon Pospíšil and Martin Smekal for navigating the complex landscape of this specific type of transfer, which remains relatively new in the Czech Republic. “Our main task was to moderate negotiations between both parties (MBÚ and AffiPro),” explains Šimon Pospíšil. “We also participated in setting the terms of entry into the company and licensing parameters to protect MBÚ’s interests. Finally, we helped MBÚ leadership with the approval process at the Academy.”
AffiPro has seen significant growth in its product lines of protein reactors and protein chips and is currently expanding its unique product portfolio for basic research, healthcare, and the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. Combining the high-quality research of the Academy of Sciences with the agility of a small startup creates a strong platform for innovation, future technology transfer, and industrial partnerships. AffiPro’s R&D and production facilities are located in Vestec near Prague, within the STAR science and technology cluster. This strategic move opens new collaboration opportunities, particularly in personalized medicine.
Photo from left: RNDr. Petr Novák, Ph.D. | Head of the Laboratory of Structural Biology and Cell Signaling, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences at BIOCEV; RNDr. Petr Pompach, Ph.D. | Managing Director of AffiPro; Ing. Jiří Hašek, CSc. | Director of the Institute of Microbiology, CAS
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the commercialization of our institute’s results. This is the first time in history that the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS owns a stake in a spin-off company. AffiPro’s successful development in recent years and its unique plans provide a solid foundation for continued collaboration between our institute and the company. I believe this is a logical step that will benefit both parties and enhance the competitiveness of the Czech biotech industry,” says Jiří Hašek, Director of the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS.
And a final note from LinkedIn, addressed to the scientific community: It’s time to stop blaming lawyers and managers for everything we accused them of during the transfer—and return to the lab and our scientific work.
Source: Press release of the Institute of Microbiology, CAS, LinkedIn Edited and abridged by CETAV More info at: www.affipro.cz | www.mbu.cas.cz | www.biocev.eu | www.star-cluster.cz Photo credits: www.mbu.cas.cz