5 biotech companies from Brno you should know about

BioVendor 

Originally a small Brno-based company, BioVendor has grown over more than thirty years into the global BioVendor Group, which now includes several divisions and branches worldwide. The company focuses on the development and production of laboratory diagnostic products and now offers over six thousand items for comprehensive diagnostic laboratory solutions, from consumables to turnkey automated solutions.

BioVendor is also involved in research, which has led, among other things, to a new generation of tests for efficient mass testing for SARS-CoV-2 and advanced NGS panels for analyzing genetic predispositions. These NGS panels have opened new possibilities in sports genetics and gut microbiome analysis and are the basis for the Genetify service, aimed at the general public. Through this service, users receive a personalized report based on DNA and gut microbiome analysis and subsequent expert recommendations.

The group is also engaged in many activities within and beyond the Brno region. The BioVendor Academy program supports collaboration with Czech universities, allowing students to link their final theses with practical research. BioVendor is also part of the Stroke Brno Cluster, a research cluster aiming to improve the diagnosis and treatment of stroke, which is one of the most common causes of death and disability worldwide. BioVendor contributes to researching biomarkers, developing new thrombolytics, and creating nanoparticles for more precise diagnostics.

Enantis 

Another biotech company, Enantis, focuses on producing innovative proteins, particularly growth factors, which have broad applications as therapeutics, in cosmetics, and in cell cultivation. The company has patented three hyperstable molecules used in stem cell cultivation, wound healing, cosmetics, and veterinary medicine. 

Some growth factors are now distributed and licensed worldwide, and the protein FGF2-STAB® for cosmetic use won Estee Lauder's New Incubation Ventures BRKTHRU VOICES award for the most innovative product. Enantis continues to develop new proteins that could aid in treating osteoarthritis, lung diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and metabolic disorders. 

CasInvent Pharma 

CasInvent Pharma develops substances with anti-tumor properties that have the potential to help treat severe oncological diseases. Founded in 2020 as a spin-off of Masaryk University in Brno, the company received an investment of EUR 1.6 million in early 2024 to further its development.

The company's portfolio includes over 450 tested compounds from the casein kinase 1 families, which have the potential to treat diseases like leukemia, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or melanoma. The company focuses on developing highly selective enzyme inhibitors that slow down or prevent specific chemical reactions and have the potential to increase the effectiveness of conventional therapies in combination with existing drugs. They can also selectively eliminate cancer cells, reducing side effects.

Maia Labs 

Statistics show that up to 20% of adenomas, or abnormalities that cause bowel cancer, go unnoticed by doctors. This could change thanks to an intelligent endoscopic module developed by Maia Labs.

This small device from Brno uses artificial intelligence to detect abnormalities in the digestive tract during an endoscopic examination. This smart system helps doctors detect early signs of colon cancer, the second deadliest form of cancer. However, it develops very slowly, so if the examination is done early and thoroughly, the cancer may not develop at all. It also relieves doctors of administrative burdens by assisting with the final report, allowing them to focus on the most important aspect – treating patients.
 

Founded in 2022, Maia Labs has successfully deployed its products in several hospitals, collaborates with university clinics, and even caught the attention of the renowned Mayo Clinic in the USA. Currently, Maia Labs is seeking a patent for its unique technology and plans to expand into other areas of endoscopic examination, such as urology.  

Carebot 

Another example of smart technology developed in Brno that enhances doctors' efficiency is Carebot. Initially, Carebot was trained on X-ray images of healthy lungs and those affected by COVID-19. In just six months, an application was created that alerted doctors to anomalies in lung X-ray images. Although the final diagnosis is always up to the doctor, as in the previous case, this technology serves as an extra pair of eyes, capable of seeing more. Carebot can detect abnormalities that might otherwise go unnoticed by the human eye.

Today, after receiving international certification, this technology is available to hospitals across Europe, and plans are underway to extend its use to mammography and skeletal X-ray images.

These innovative companies from Brno have the potential to significantly improve healthcare by providing solutions that enhance diagnostics and treatment worldwide. Investments in biotech in this region pay off not only locally but also globally, as evidenced by the continuous growth and demand for their products and technologies.