Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences (Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR, v. v. i., "ÚMCH") is a public research institute headquartered in Prague 6, Czech Republic, founded in 1965 by Professor Otto Wichterle, the world-renowned polymer chemist and inventor of soft contact lenses. The institute conducts fundamental and applied research in synthetic macromolecular chemistry, spanning polymer synthesis, characterization, and biomedical/materials applications — including targeted drug delivery, polymer-based diagnostics, biomimetic tissue engineering scaffolds, and environmentally sustainable polymer solutions.

Its technical portfolio centers on several proprietary technology platforms: iBodies® (HPMA copolymer-based polymer antibody mimetics that substitute antibodies in ELISA, flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation); water-soluble and micellar polymer nanotherapeutics and teranostics (drug carriers with tumor-microenvironment-responsive activation); fully synthetic injectable hydrogels based on biodegradable poly(amino acids) for stem-cell-based tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting; and responsive polymer systems (pH-, temperature-, and ROS-responsive polymersomes). Output is monetized through three streams: national and EU research grants (Horizon 2020, GA ČR, TA ČR), contract research for industrial partners, and technology licensing (including a spun-out startup, Sophomer, s.r.o., and a distribution agreement with Ximbio for iBodies®). Customers include academic collaborators, pharmaceutical and advanced-materials companies, and PhD trainees; the institute does not sell commercial products directly.

Name

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences

Legal name

Ústav makromolekulární chemie AV ČR, v. v. i.

Website

https://imc.cas.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1965

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ÚMCH is a Czech public research institute (est. 1965) that performs fundamental and applied research in synthetic polymer chemistry, developing biomedical platforms — polymer antibody mimetics (iBodies®), nanotherapeutics, and biomimetic hydrogels — funded through grants, contract research, and technology licensing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Polymer Research and Development

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAEABAK

Specialty Polymers & Resins (Engineered Materials)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Chemicals & Industrial Materials/Specialty Chemicals

SECONDARYIMANANAF

Bio-based Engineering Plastics & High-Performance Polymers (bio-PA, bio-PET, bio-PC blends)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Plastics & Rubber Manufacturing/Bioplastics & Sustainable Materials

SECONDARYEDAHAGAI

Biomedical Sciences & Medical Research Institutes (University-Based)

Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Medical & Health Sciences Universities

SECONDARYIMANANAA

Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT)

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Plastics & Rubber Manufacturing/Bioplastics & Sustainable Materials

Keywords

• Polymer chemistry research
• Biomedical polymer development
• Drug delivery systems
• Tissue engineering materials
• Contract research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague 6

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Grants: Primary funding from national and international research grants including Horizon 2020 projects, Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR), and Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA ČR).
2. Licensing and Technology Transfer: Licensing of patents and technologies to industrial partners. The institute has established partnerships for commercialization of developed technologies (e.g., Sophomer startup, WO2005118508A3 patent licensed and manufactured).
3. Contract Research: Applied research conducted in collaboration with industrial partners, offering customized polymer development and characterization services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry conducts fundamental and applied research in synthetic polymer science, ranging from synthesis and characterization of novel polymers to development of biomedical applications including drug delivery systems, polymer-based diagnostics, tissue engineering hydrogels, and regenerative medicine materials. The institute conducts contract research for industrial partners, licenses patented technologies, and trains PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in macromolecular chemistry.

Product overview

The Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry operates as a research institution focused on polymer science rather than a commercial product company. Its portfolio consists of research-based offerings including iBodies® (synthetic polymer antibody mimetics), polymer nanotherapeutics (drug delivery systems and polymer teranostics combining therapeutics and diagnostics), biomimetic hydrogels for tissue engineering, 3D bioprinting materials, micellar polymeric nanocarriers, and glycopolymers for targeted cancer therapy. The institution also offers PhD studies and UNESCO/IUPAC postgraduate courses in polymer science.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iBodies®: Polyfunctional macromolecules serving as complete replacements for antibodies in common biochemical methods, including ELISA, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blot, protein immobilization, and immunoprecipitation methods
• Sophomer™ F10

Products and services

• iBodies® Synthetic polymer antibody mimetics consisting of a poly(N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide) backbone decorated with three types of functional low-molecular-weight substances (specific ligand, affinity anchor, and imaging probe). Successfully used in ELISA, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blot, protein immobilization, and immunoprecipitation methods. Distributed through Ximbio for routine laboratory use as a complete replacement for antibodies in common biochemical methods.
• Polymer Nanotherapeutics for Cancer Treatment Water-soluble or micellar polymer nanotherapeutics designed as drug carriers, diagnostic markers, or carriers of biologically active molecules enabling activation of drugs specifically in target diseased tissue such as tumors, inflamed tissue, or sites of bacterial infection. Targeted for pharmaceutical and biomedical research applications.
• Polymer Teranostics Custom-prepared combinations of therapeutics and diagnostics bound to a single polymer carrier. Contains selected anticancer drugs and fluorescent labels for fluorescence imaging techniques or radionuclide chelators suitable for positron emission tomography (PET). Designed for combined diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• Biomimetic Hydrogels for Tissue Engineering Injectable hydrogels based on biodegradable poly(amino acids) that mimic features of living tissue extracellular matrix. Used in combination with stem cell therapy for minimally invasive treatment of bone and cartilage degenerative diseases. Includes RGD peptide-binding sites for cell adhesion and tunable mechanical properties and gelation time.
• 3D Bioprinting Materials Fully xenogenic-free bioink based on synthetic poly(amino acids) containing polysaccharide components as porogen and nanogel domains for controlled growth factor release. Developed for advanced hydrogel 3D bioprinting applications in regenerative medicine.
• Micellar Polymeric Nanocarriers Amphiphilic copolymers consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts that self-assemble into supramolecular micellar structures. Serve as drug carriers with extended circulation in bloodstream and significantly increased accumulation in solid tumors. Designed for targeted cancer therapy applications.
• Glycopolymers and Glycomimetics Water-soluble polymers with specific oligosaccharides or glycomimetics with high affinity to lectin ligands such as galectins, which play significant roles in tumor growth and invasiveness. Used for targeted anti-tumor nanotherapy.
• Contract Research Services Applied research services conducted in collaboration with industrial partners, offering customized polymer development, synthesis, characterization, and modification services. Targeted at pharmaceutical, medical devices, and advanced materials companies seeking specialized polymer expertise.
• PhD Studies in Macromolecular Chemistry Doctoral study program in macromolecular chemistry and polymer science offered by the institute. Includes doctoral research projects, dissertation topics, and supervised research training for students pursuing advanced degrees in polymer science.
• UNESCO/IUPAC Postgraduate Course International postgraduate course in polymer science organized by IMC under UNESCO and IUPAC auspices. Provides advanced training in macromolecular chemistry for international doctoral students and early-career researchers. The course celebrated its 26th and 27th sessions in 2022.
• Patent and Technology Licensing Licensing of patented polymer technologies and inventions to industrial partners worldwide. Includes commercialization of iBodies® through Ximbio, the licensed WO2005118508A3 patent manufactured commercially, and other patented technologies applicable in medicine and industry.

Quantifiable outcome

• Successfully developed pH-responsive polymersomes with excellent antitumor therapeutic efficacy in animal models
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Yeditepe University, Department of Genetics and BioengineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic collaboration in biomaterials research, specifically in the area of genetic engineering and bioengineering applications of polymer materials.
• Masaryk University, Department of Histology and EmbryologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on histological and embryological research related to biomaterials and tissue engineering applications.
• Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, CAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership focusing on biomaterials applications in animal physiology and genetics.
• Eye Clinic, Faculty Hospital Královské Vinohrady, 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical collaboration on ophthalmological applications of biomaterials, including retinal pigment epithelium cell cultivation for macular degeneration treatment.
• Stem Cell Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Spanish Stem CellBank, Centro de Investigación Príncipe FelipecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration on stem cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases using advanced biomaterials.
• Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San DiegocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on ALS research and novel surgical-applicative methods using advanced polymer systems.
• Jeseniova Medical Faculty in Martin, Comenius University BratislavacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovak academic partnership in medical research applications of polymer science.
• Sophomer, s.r.o.flagshipTechnology or IntegrationStartup company founded based on IMC research for development of diagnostic tests using synthetic molecule Sophomer™ F10. Represents successful technology transfer from academic research to commercial application.
• XimbiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for iBodies products for routine laboratory use. iBodies are now available for standard use in laboratories through this commercial partner.
• Barinthus BiotherapeuticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on optimization of thermoresponsive polymer structures for intravitreally administered drugs and development of star copolymers as macromolecular carriers for peptide vaccines.
• Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on bioresponsive polymer probes for detection of reactive oxygen species using MRI.
• FN Motol (University Hospital Motol)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical collaboration on overcoming multidrug resistance in solid tumors using polymer therapeutics.
• ELI Beamlines Research Center, Institute of Physics, CAScoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on polymer-coated hexagonal upconverting nanoparticles research.
• VŠCHT Prague (University of Chemistry and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple collaborations including development of homogeneous ion-exchange membranes for hydrogen production (NEWELY project), hydrophilic polymers as functional excipients in dermal nanoformulations, and bacterial cellulose/polypyrrole membranes for chromium adsorption.
• VUT Brno (Brno University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on aerogels from bacterial cellulose for water purification, removing chromium and dyes from water.
• Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (ÚOCHB), CAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on polymer antibody mimetics (iBodies) targeting PD-L1 for immune checkpoint blocking.
• Institute of Microbiology (MBÚ), CAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on overcoming multidrug resistance using polymer therapeutics and galectin-3 glycopolymer inhibitors.
• University of GroningencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on thermally activated carbon fabric with polypyrrole coating for high-performance solid supercapacitors.
• Linköping University (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development of ecological solar cells as more environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional silicon panels.
• Institute of Physics, CAS (FZÚ)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational project collaboration on sandwich immunoassay with single molecule readout based on polymer brushes.
• AIT (Austria)coreTechnology or IntegrationInternational collaboration on digital immunoassay development using polymer brush technology.
• Institute of Analytical Chemistry, CAScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on fluorine MRI monitoring of modified gelatin hydrogels for regenerative medicine.
• IAB GrenoblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on advanced polymer probes carrying specific peptides for glioblastoma imaging.
• Clean Hydrogen Partnership / European Hydrogen WeekflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEWELY project on homogeneous ion-exchange membranes for hydrogen production awarded as 'Best Innovation Award 2022' at European Hydrogen Week.
• Institute of Polymer Research (Ústav polymérov SAV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research with Slovak Academy of Sciences on new types of thin hydrogel layers covalently bound to various substrates using electron beam radiation for protection of implantable materials.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Evonik Industries: Large specialty chemicals company with substantial biomedical polymer and drug-delivery excipient businesses. Comparable as an incumbent in the specialty/engineered polymers space in which IMC publishes.
• BASF: Global chemical incumbent with significant polymer R&D operations across specialty polymers and bio-based materials, broadly overlapping with IMC's research scope at industrial scale.
• NatureWorks: Global leader in bio-based and biodegradable polymers (PLA), directly relevant to IMC's bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin manufacturing activities and eco-friendly plastics research streams.

Regional players

• Polymer Research Institute (Sciences Po / Sichuan University): Major state-funded polymer research groups in Asia with comparable publications and biomedical polymer focus. Comparable as global academic peers though geographically distant from IMC.

Emerging players

• DSM Biomedical: Specialty biomaterials business focused on biomedical polymers for drug delivery, tissue engineering, and medical devices; relevant as a commercial comparator translating similar polymer science into products.
• Carbios: French biotech developing enzymatic recycling and biodegradation technologies for plastics, directly comparable to IMC's eco-friendly plastic disposal and biodegradable polymer research portfolio.

Direct peers

• ETH Zurich Polymer Physics and Materials Group: Leading university research group conducting macromolecular chemistry and polymer physics research with significant publication output, comparable to IMC in academic profile and international standing.
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP): Germany's leading applied polymer research institute with a mandate to translate polymer science into industrial applications, including biomedical polymers and sustainable materials. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and output mix to IMC.
• Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P): Large German national research institute conducting fundamental and applied polymer science spanning synthesis, characterization, and biomaterials. Closest analog to IMC as a publicly funded, internationally recognized polymer R&D center with biomedical materials programs.
• Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Institute of Polymer Research): German government polymer research center covering synthesis, characterization, and biomedical applications of polymers. Closely mirrors IMC's funding model, research breadth, and translational focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-macromolecular-chemistry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences