BARD company and biotechnology in the Czech Republic

How did biotechnology sector in the Czech Republic change during the years when "BARD" company is on the market? What is the future of this sector in the country?

Radim Klimeš: In 2006 the company Bio Agens Research and Development - BARD Ltd. was founded for research, development and subsequent production of microbial products with active ingredients for use in human and veterinary and communal areas. In 2010, the two founders of the company, Martin Suchánek and Radim Klimeš obtained patent for the use of microorganism Pythium oligandrum, its propagules, enzymes, etc. for human, animal, municipal and other uses.

Large number of firms wanted to explore the biotechnology area especially when the state and EU invested so heavily into the building of large research centers, infrastructure etc. Now the centers themselves are ready, but it begins to be a problem to come up with the innovative ideas and pay for researchers and the research costs. Many new biotech companies that developed as spin-offs of the large research centers have little business experience, and find it very difficult to make any revenues on the sales of their products, although there have been a few notable exceptions. Most companies in the beginning did not realize that finding a suitable organism, the subsequent research, laboratory testing, formulation and its practical use is expensive and time-consuming task, and this makes them often dependent on the scarce public funding. The political claims of EU towards the replacement of heavy chemistry products with the viable bio- alternatives have yet to be materialized, and could hardly be replaced by the confusing prioritization into nanotechnologies, IT technologies, or other seemingly modern directions.

           Further, EU will have to react much more readily to the current tendency toward globalization, in particular in the open economies of Central Europe. The globalization creates an enormous increase on competitiveness in every aspect of life of modern biotech companies – be that the demand on modern technologies able to keep pace with the progress in today’s scientific research, efficiency of the production processes, quality control, logistics, regulatory requirements etc.

            Despite all the above mentioned hurdles, I remain optimistic about the future of the companies that persevere, because legislation gradually begins to realize the potential of new biotechnologies for the society. Customers require the modern, safe and efficient biological products and this is going to be the decissive driving force.

What are your main products and services?

Radim Klimeš: - Mycoses of feet - People with foot dermatomycoses are found in large enough numbers. According to extensive studies in recent years was found that only czech inhabitants suffers from fungal foot disabilities more than 60% of the adult population with an annual increase of 2.5 - 8%. The most common occurrence is in the interdigital spaces, on the heels and soles. Products caring difficulties are Biodeur, Clever fungus - Pythie Prevent, Clever fungus - Pythie Prevent Foot Powder, Clever fungus - Pythie BIO Biodeur in organic quality.

Onychomycosis - Onychomycosis are the most common dermatological disease whose incidence is increasing steadily. In the EU is affected 2-8% of the population, according to extensive studies to 26.9%.Clever fungus - Pythie Biodeur Nail – a biological product suitable for leg nail care susceptible to moulds.

Mycoses under fingernail - Bio block – for care of fingernails with tendency towards mycotic diseases (fungus and yeast, primarily of the Candida genus).

Non healing wounds - Biomycosin – suitable for suppressing adverse microbial settlements on skin wounds in case of decubitus ulcers and venous ulcerations and for stimulation of their healing.

Vulvovaginal candidiasis - Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an important infection in 75% of all women at least once during their lives. Chronic occurrence is then 5% of women. Most cases are caused by Candida albicans. Feel Fresh – cosmetic feminine bath designated for skin prone to asphyxiation and for care of places prone to the outbreak of yeast fungus.

Psoriasis and constitutional dermatitits  - Psoriasis affects about 2% of the population around the world. Products with several applications consist of Clever fungus - Pythie Biogama – atopic oil bath, Biodelta - relaxing bath, Biogama cream, Clever fungus - Pythie Biogama- fine ointment, Clever fungus Pythie - BIO Biogama in organic quality.

Paradontitis - Clever fungus - Pythie Bio Plus – helps mitigating microbial and chemical factors that determine the emergence of aphtous, inflammation, sore gums and periodontitis.

Diabetics - Products suitable for care of skin susceptible to moulds and for care of dry skin in diabetes are Clever fungus - Pythie Diabetic – oil bath with hippophae rammoides and Clever fungus - Pythie Diabetic – fine oil bath with hippophae rammoides.

Children - Clever fungus - Pythia Baby - atopic oil bath  and Clever fungus - Pythie Baby – ointments for sore are suitable for children fine skin care. Especially suitable for care of chafted skin and skin of sores.

Veterinary care  - One third of domesticated animals disease is a fungal origin. On condition that we developed product Ecosin –  water shower or bath suitable to care skin and derivatives (hoofed animals, feathers, claws).

Communal environment - BIO REPEL is a unique non-toxic and environmentally friendly preparation representing new possibilities in fighting undesired influences of mildew on walls and plaster of the brick buildings.

Where do you sell most of your products?

Radim Klimeš: Most of our products sell well, since they display good efficacy and have no side effects. Currently, we deliver our products only for Czech and Slovak markets. We are looking for worldwide as well as local distributors who would sell our products in their particular areas.

Is there a lot of companies with a similar profile to “BARD” in the Czech republic and neighboring countries?

Radim Klimeš: The commercial use of so-called „Clever Fungus^® Pythie - Pythium oligandrum for people, for pets and for communal area are based on the unique kniow-how and technologies. Our company is, to the best of our knowledge, the only company in the world with this production profile.

Are you currently working on some new products that you are planning to introduce to the market?

Radim Klimeš: Research is still ongoing and, on the basis of positive results, we are able to develop new products and bring them to the market.

What are the main benefits of a membership in CzechBio association?

Radim Klimeš: The association joins companies from both academia and pracical sector. We have established very good cooperation with the Institute of Microbiology ASCR in Prague and the Veterinary Research Institute in Brno, to mention but a few CzechBio members. Members of the association are informed about the various forms of subsidies and association is trying to negotiate for its members better conditions for participation in international fairs, or cheaper access to databases specialist libraries.

            The purpose is to make use of research facilities, the results achieved and practical knowledge of quality outputs (products, services etc.), which will be put into practice and will help to greater competitiveness of individual members of the Association.

            The Association should support through its members intensity, quality and speed of innovation and technology transfer into economic practice in the region with emphasis on advanced technologies. The ultimate goal is to bring advancement in biotechnologies through the dissemination of knowledge and expertise, to develop new products able to compete in the global market, and thus to create jobs and revenues for the individual regions of Czech Republic. In our case, the company has recently relocated into the region of Ústí nad Labem, where the district of Louny has one of the highest unemployment rate in the country.

                                                                               Authorized by R. Klimeš, Director of BARD s.r.o.

by Maciej Smolarz