From molecules to human data.

From ideas to real products.

For startups, there is nothing more important than defining your value proposition to the market. Yet for startups coming out of academia there is nothing more difficult to pin down.

That is because the academic startup arises from the unique intention of achieving high quality research that explains the world, and not from the intention of how that research will serve a market or make money.

So when that research produces an amazing idea that can make the world better, the time comes to decide who, if anyone, will actually pay for it. I have found that more often than not there is an assumption that good ideas supported by good data are enough. If it ameliorates disease, if it makes a process more efficient, it will somehow “fit” in the market.

I have discovered through one painful lesson after the next that nothing could be further from the truth.

This is why, when the time came to really understand the value proposition of our startup Nanocomp, I wanted to put assumptions aside and ask the brutal question: in the vast and mature multi billion pharmaceutical industry, where does a novel and potentially disruptive formulation technology fit? Who exactly are the customers that will be willing to try it out against the dozens of available options? Who will pay the most, and why? What data do THEY want to see to prove our value to them? And what should we have to make that happen?

When I met the team of Kapaji at a conference in Ireland a year ago, I realized these are the guys to help me answer these questions. Kapaji is a Pharma consulting firm out of the Czech Republic. Their team impressed me with their deep knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing from a technical and regulatory perspective. Moreover, this technical understanding was underpinned by a very clear high level knowledge of the industry, its trends and its players.

Kapaji took my business plan and challenged every assumption. They asked the difficult questions. They gave the other perspective. They explained processes. They outlined requirements. All in a very accessible and clear communication style that focused on the relevant points. This was not a breeze for a commercial lead like myself to go through. But the Kapaji team have established trust, and were so intent on helping us that it made the medicine go down smoother :)

I believe everyone at Nanocomp came out of their workshop more informed about our business. Their final report was strategic, insightful, devoid of jargon, focused on practical matters that would aid our next steps and inform my pitch, and I have to confess…enjoyable to read! How they managed to do that with pharmaceutical manufacturing is beyond me.

My advice to every startup founder is to get out of your own head and find a partner that can illuminate the blind spots. Thank you Kapaji for being that partner for Nanocomp.

We’ve collaborated with the Veterinary Research Institute from Brno, Czech Republic in 2024, to perform a pre-clinical study for the pMDI product which we have under development. 
The team took the challenge for this new type of project and gave 100% dedication and effort to deliver the results at the highest level of quality and efficiency. 
Due to the specific structure that VRI has, we were able to perform the study on 25kg pig models. This further gave to the project legitimacy to sustain that it has demonstrated the technology is relevant in an environment that closely mimics the anticipated real-world application.

What was extremely important was that the collaboration with VRI team was much more than the pre-clinic execution itself. We had openly communicated back and forward to establish the protocol for months prior to the test, with a big focus on outcome accuracy. The entire VRI team, but especially Josef Masek, Scientific Director, was deeply involved into finding the appropriate technical solutions to be able to administer the inhalable pMDI product to the animal model. 

I had the chance to participate in person while the study was running within the institute, for 3 days in a row. I was surprised in a very positive way by the high level of proficiency by which the team is working and by their complete orientation towards finding solutions. All are deeply imbedded as a culture within the institute and the entire team.

I would take any future opportunity to work with VRI team, with great confidence and pleasure.

A few months ago, we needed CDMO support for multiple development projects. Thanks to our long-standing partnership, Kapaji, in collaboration with MUNI PHARM Brno, provided tailored formulation solutions that met our exact needs.
With their efficiency, professionalism, and scientific expertise, we confidently recommend Kapaji and MUNI PHARM Brno for high-quality CDMO services. 
We look forward to future collaborations with such a trusted partner.

Our cooperation with Kapaji focused on technological support for a key project to improve production and analytical methods. Kapaji has provided a vital contribution with their technical knowledge, troubleshooting skills, and the development of a new method. A very welcome part was their professional communication, flexible hands-on approach, knowledge of local guidelines, and the ability to connect to different levels within the organization. From my side, I highly recommended them as a business partner.

We have used Kapaji to assess the business potential of some of our key drug development programs. Kapaji provided us with an excellent analysis and valuable recommendations for further product development, considering both competitive target profiles, the market potential […]. I can highly recommend Kapaji as a sparring partner for pharma and biotech startup companies.