PLN 73 million for research into cancer therapies – winner of the fourth WIB call announced
The fourth call of the Virtual Research Institute (WIB) has been concluded. An international panel of experts awarded the highest score to the project “Personalised antibody–drug conjugates activated by matrix metalloproteinases for solid tumours (PACMAN)”, submitted by a consortium of research institutions from Wrocław and Warsaw. Funding of PLN 72,854,995 has been allocated to the project from the Polish Science Fund.
A new strategy in the fight against cancer
The PACMAN project opens a new chapter in anticancer therapy. Researchers will work on antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs), i.e. specialised combinations of antibodies and therapeutic agents, which unlike existing solutions do not need to enter cancer cells in order to be effective. Instead, they will be activated in the tumour microenvironment, precisely where overactive enzymes (matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9 and MMP-14) are present. These enzymes are characteristic of many solid tumours, such as pancreatic cancer, breast cancer and melanoma.
In practice, this approach enables more precise delivery of anticancer drugs while reducing the risk of damage to healthy tissues.
The project also involves the development of diagnostic tools to assess MMP activity in clinical samples, as well as the use of AI algorithms to support patient selection for therapy. This will allow for comprehensive preclinical validation of the new strategy in the context of personalised medicine.
Who is behind the project?
The research team is led by Professor Marcin Poręba from Wrocław University of Science and Technology. Over the next four and a half years, the project will involve as many as 99 scientists from six research centres in Wrocław and Warsaw.
The consortium includes:
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology (PLN 28,495,305.95), research led by Professor Bożena Cybulska-Stopa
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS (PLN 9,641,249.00), Professor Agnieszka Dobrzyń
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, PAS (PLN 9,377,240.35), Professor Marcin Drąg
- Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, PAS (PLN 8,855,079.35), Professor Elżbieta Pajtasz-Piasecka
- University of Wrocław (PLN 7,999,975.00), Professor Małgorzata Zakrzewska
- Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (PLN 8,486,145.10), Professor Arkadiusz Miążek
The WIB programme – commercialisation in medical biotechnology
The Virtual Research Institute is an innovative funding programme supporting research with high commercialisation potential in one of the most socially significant fields: medical biotechnology. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has allocated a record PLN 450 million to the programme.
The programme is aimed at outstanding Polish scientists conducting research at the highest international level, representing universities, scientific institutes and research organisations. Projects selected by international experts are expected to deliver new technologies developed in line with procedures required for commercialisation within a maximum of five years.
For almost three years, the HERO project (“Horizon of excellence in applications of messenger RNA in immuno-oncology”) has already been under way, focusing on the use of mRNA technology in cancer immunotherapy. In 2024, funding was awarded to the INTERCEPT project (“Targeted single-cell analysis technology for cancer diagnostics – a step towards the development of interceptive cellular medicine”) and the ADEVASCO project (“Personalised vascular endothelium diagnostics in oncology therapy: towards modern vascular oncology”).
Łukasiewicz – PORT as the managing entity
Łukasiewicz – PORT is the entity responsible for managing the programme. This Wrocław-based institute oversees the organisation and implementation of the calls, supervises project execution, and coordinates the commercialisation of research outcomes.
Łukasiewicz – PORT is part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network, the third largest research network in Europe, bringing together 22 institutes across Poland. It conducts international, interdisciplinary research spanning medical technologies and health, biotechnology, advanced functional materials, health security, and environmental engineering.
Date of publication: 15.12.2025
Added by: M.K.
