Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a public research institution founded in 1953 and headquartered at Flemingovo nám. 2, Praha 6-Dejvice, Czech Republic. It conducts fundamental and applied research in organic chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, virology, and molecular biology, supported by a technical infrastructure that includes NMR spectroscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, a BSL3 virology laboratory, computational chemistry, and the Vývojové centrum (Development Centre). The institute serves academic, healthcare, and industrial stakeholders through peer-reviewed publications, contract research, technology transfer, and PhD/postdoctoral training programs.

The institute's research output has produced globally significant therapeutic and technological results, most notably the nucleotide analog antivirals tenofovir, adefovir, and cidofovir—based on Antonín Holý's molecular work—which treat millions of HIV and HBV patients worldwide. More recent outputs include an engineered insulin analog binding IGF-1R approximately 1,000-fold more strongly than native insulin, a BSL3-based antiviral discovery pipeline (HIV, influenza, dengue, herpes, coxsackie), a neodymium recycling method achieving 99.7% purity, and a streamlined aptamer development platform. IOCB hosts the Gilead Sciences Research Centre for antiviral research and maintains international research collaboration through IOCB Boston, Scripps Research exchanges, and Taiwan-Czech symposia.

IOCB does not operate a commercial revenue model. Activities are funded primarily by institutional Czech government grants via the parent Czech Academy of Sciences, the Czech Science Foundation (GACR), European research programs including EuroHPC JU, and industry research partnerships. Commercialization is handled through a wholly-owned subsidiary stack—IOCB Tech (IP transfer), i&i Prague (startup incubation), i&i Biotech Fund (VC), PharmTheon (pharma spin-off), and IOCB Foundation (science philanthropy, integrated 2026)—alongside joint programs including NIVB (cancer), MediAim, and RNA4T. The institute participates in the Czech AI Factory consortium for AI and supercomputing access, and disseminates research through scientific publications, invited lectures (including Nobel laureates), the CHEmic podcast, and the Dream Chemistry and Dream Biology Award programs.

Name

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Legal name

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Website

https://uochb.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB Prague) is a public research institution of the Czech Academy of Sciences conducting fundamental and applied research in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry, producing globally used antivirals and commercializing discoveries via a network of wholly-owned tech-transfer subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Medical Laboratories (621511)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based) (EDAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD), Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL)

Keywords

• Organic chemistry research
• Biochemistry research
• Medicinal chemistry
• Drug discovery services
• Technology transfer

Headquarters

HQ city

Praha

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IOCB Prague is a public research institute that conducts fundamental and applied research in organic chemistry and biochemistry, develops novel therapeutic compounds and drug candidates (including nucleotide analogs for HIV/HBV, insulin analogs, and aptamers), and operates a technology-transfer ecosystem (IOCB Tech, i&i Prague, i&i Biotech Fund, PharmTheon) to commercialize discoveries through licensing and spin-offs. It also trains PhD students and postdocs and delivers public science outreach.

Product overview

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences is a public research institution, not a commercial product company. Its primary offerings are research services, technology transfer operations, and various research programs. The technology transfer ecosystem includes IOCB Tech (intellectual property commercialization), i&i Prague (spin-off incubator), i&i Biotech Fund (investment vehicle), and PharmTheon (pharmaceutical spin-off). IOCB also hosts dedicated research facilities including the Gilead Sciences Research Centre, Vývojové centrum (Development Centre), and research programs such as MediAim, RNA4T, and NIVB for cancer research. The IOCB Foundation supports science development and public awareness of scientific research contributions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dream Chemistry Award: Competition for young scientists with chemistry background, established 2013, IOCB became principal organizer 2017
• Dream Biology Award
• Tony Holý Lecture
• Dana Hocková Lectures
• IOCB Invited Lectures
• CHEmic Podcast
• IOCB Tech
• i&i Prague
• i&i Biotech Fund
• PharmTheon
• IOCB Foundation
• Gilead Sciences Research Centre
• MediAim
• RNA4T
• IOCB Boston
• IOCB Store

Products and services

• IOCB Tech Technology transfer entity operating at IOCB Prague that focuses on transferring basic research findings into practice and utilizing intellectual property for commercial and industrial purposes.
• i&i Prague (i&i - invention & innovation) Innovation and incubation company that helps to commercialize research discoveries from IOCB, supporting the creation of new biotech spin-off companies.
• i&i Biotech Fund Biotechnology investment fund that supports commercialization of discoveries from IOCB research by providing capital to early-stage biotech companies.
• PharmTheon Pharmaceutical company spin-off from IOCB focused on developing and commercializing therapeutic compounds discovered at the institute.
• IOCB Foundation Foundation (renamed from IOCB Tech Foundation in 2026) dedicated to supporting the development of science and the practical application of research results, with IOCB as its patron and professional guarantor.
• Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB Dedicated research centre at IOCB Prague focused on virology and antiviral drug discovery, operated in partnership with Gilead Sciences.
• MediAim Research initiative focused on medical imaging and pharmaceutical development applications.
• RNA4T: RNA for Therapy Research program dedicated to RNA-based therapeutic applications and development.
• NIVB (National Institute of Virology and Bacteriology) National institute focused on virology and bacteriology research, including cancer-related therapeutic approaches, jointly controlled with other Czech partners.
• Vývojové centrum (Development Centre) Core facility that develops unique tools, instruments, and new technologies; performs repairs and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation; and provides commercial collaboration with other academic and industrial research laboratories.

Quantifiable outcome

• Drugs based on IOCB-developed molecules (tenofovir, adefovir, cidofovir) treat millions of HIV and HBV patients globally
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VSB – Technical University of OstravacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025IOCB is one of six Czech research institutions in the Czech AI Factory (CZAI) consortium coordinated by VSB – Technical University of Ostrava and IT4Innovations supercomputing centre. The CZK 1 billion project will deliver 850 PFlop/s computing power for AI research in industry, healthcare, energy, and transportation sectors. Funded equally by EuroHPC JU and Czech national sources.
• EuroHPC Joint UndertakingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025European High Performance Computing joint initiative providing half of the funding (approximately €40 million) for the Czech AI Factory project involving IOCB as a research partner.
• Gilead SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHome to the Gilead Sciences Research Centre at IOCB Prague, supporting antiviral drug research and development.
• IOCB TechcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology transfer company operating at IOCB that focuses on transferring basic research findings into practice and utilizing intellectual property for commercial and industrial purposes. Established in 2022.
• IOCB FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation established in 2022 by IOCB Tech to support development of science and practical application of research results. In 2026, became more closely integrated with the institute which serves as its patron and professional guarantor.
• VŠCHT (University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development of new therapeutic substances, particularly in medicinal chemistry of nucleotide analogs and nucleoside metabolism inhibitors.
• Fyziologický ústav AV ČR (Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research on diabetes treatment, including development of new antidiabetic compounds such as MSDC-0602K.
• Taiwan-Czech Research CollaborationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular scientific exchange through Taiwan-Czech Symposia hosted at IOCB Prague.
• MediAimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch initiative focused on medicinal applications and drug development.
• NIVB (National Institute for Cancer Treatment)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cancer research and development of novel therapeutic approaches.
• Scripps ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Phil S. Baran from Scripps Research delivered Tony Holý Lecture in 2026, representing ongoing collaboration with one of the world's leading research institutions.

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Scripps Research Institute: Major US nonprofit research institute with deep chemistry and biology programs. Phil S. Baran's group at Scripps delivered the Tony Holý Lecture at IOCB, evidencing active partnership. Comparable in charter (basic research → commercialization) and discipline mix (medicinal chemistry, structural biology).
• Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics: German public research institute under the Max Planck Society focused on molecular biology and chemistry. Closest analog to IOCB within the Max Planck system: government-funded, multinational, and engaged in basic-to-applied research translation.
• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL): Intergovernmental research organization in life sciences with multiple sites. Comparable public-funded life-sciences research institution with structural biology, chemistry, and training programs; similar international talent and consortium-driven model.
• Salk Institute for Biological Studies: Nonprofit research institute in La Jolla focused on molecular biology, neuroscience, and chemistry. Comparable to IOCB in scale (~1,000 researchers), funding model (grants and philanthropy), and emphasis on fundamental discovery.
• Weizmann Institute of Science: Israeli public research university/institute with strong chemistry and biology. Comparable national-scale research institute with technology transfer arm (Yeda) producing spin-offs in pharma and materials.
• Institut Pasteur: French nonprofit research institute focused on infectious disease, virology, and structural biology. Highly comparable given IOCB's BSL3 virology program and HIV/HBV antiviral research.
• MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology: UK Medical Research Council research institute with structural biology and chemistry focus. Similar scale and discipline mix, with comparable role as a discovery engine feeding industry partnerships.
• Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research: German Helmholtz Association research center on infectious disease and drug discovery. Overlaps with IOCB's virology, medicinal chemistry, and BSL3 capabilities under a similar public-funded model.

Broad incumbents

• Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard: Large US biomedical and genomic research institute with significant chemistry and drug-discovery capability. Operates at a much larger scale but covers overlapping disciplines (medicinal chemistry, structural biology, genomics).
• Karolinska Institutet (research operations): Swedish medical research university with parallel disciplines in medicinal chemistry, structural biology, and virology. Overlap with IOCB in drug-target research and Nordic/European public funding model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IOCBPrague
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJGkWwXm0v41ZPTcY1y7_uQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/IOCBPrague
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iocb-prague
• Instagraminstagram.com/iocbprague

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences