NETPHARM represents a truly unique project in the Czech research environment thanks to its scope, level of interdisciplinarity, and its strategic focus on translational research with a tangible impact on patients. The research is structured into five thematic Work Packages. The expert team is led by Professor Petr Pávek from Charles University, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové. Across these five programmes, the project brings together more than 180 researchers from the Czech Republic and abroad.
Principal Investigator
Principal Investigator
Prof. PharmDr. Petr Pávek, Ph.D.
ORCID Petr Pavek (0000-0001-8769-4196) - ORCID
Professor Petr Pávek is an internationally recognized expert in the field of molecular pharmacology, drug development, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacogenetics. He has long been based at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové for many years, where his research focuses on nuclear receptors and their role in regulating drug-metabolising enzymes. He is the author of more than 180 publications in prestigious scientific journals, holds several patents, and has acted as principal investigator of numerous international research projects, including the Horizon 2020 EDCMET consortium. In the past, he led the GAČR Centre of Excellence and the OP RDE project team. Within the NETPHARM project, he acts as a Principal Investigator responsible for the scientific direction and quality of the research carried out. Thanks to his expertise and experience, he guarantees the excellence and international relevance of the project’s research outputs. In 2024, he was awarded the Lorem Prize in the Czech Head competition (“Česká hlava”) for his discovery and extraordinary achievement in the fields of healthcare, medicine, pharmacy, and disciplines related to human health.
WP1 Pharmaceutical and Analytical Chemistry
Work Package 1 Leader, Team of approx. 65 members
Prof. PharmDr. Kateřina Vávrová, Ph.D.
Katerina Vavrova ORCID 0000-0002-8502-4372
Prof. Kateřina Vávrová is a leading Czech scientist in the field of medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical technology. She works at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové, where she leads research focused on the development of novel skin medications and delivery systems, with particular emphasis on understanding biological barriers and modulating them through innovative molecules. She is the author of more than 100 scientific publications in international journals and the co-author of several patents. Over the years she has been extensively involved in both fundamental research projects as well as projects with strong links to clinical practice and translational medicine. Within the NETPHARM project, she plays a key role in the research of failing lipid barriers, their regeneration, and dermal drug delivery systems, bringing unique expertise in linking the chemical and biological aspects of pharmaceutical development.
Work Package 1 in a Nutshell:
Pharmaceutical research team focuses on the study of pharmaceutical and pharmaco-technological substances. Researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry will work in close collaboration with WP2, WP3, WP4, and WP5 to explore the possibilities of organic, computational, physical, and analytical chemistry, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable patient subpopulations.
The scientific team, which brings together experts in organic, pharmaceutical, analytical, physical, and computational chemistry from three institutions - the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry - has three main research objectives: 1) To develop new research and diagnostic tools or drug carriers, 2) to investigate, using state-of-the-art analytical methods, the fate of drugs in the body, their metabolism, and potential toxicity, and 3) to develop novel drug candidates of both synthetic and natural origin. All these approaches are carried out in close cooperation with WP2, WP3, WP4, and WP5, with a specific focus on vulnerable patient subpopulations.
Scientific description:
Within WP1, researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry will explore the potential of organic, analytical, computational, and physical chemistry in identifying new technologies for specifically targeting vulnerable patient subpopulations. WP1 will contribute to the translational research within the NETPHARM consortium on several levels:
Diagnostic probes and advanced drug carriers will be synthesized in close feedback with WP2, WP3, and WP5. For the stratification of patient subpopulations, qPCR-based oligodeoxynucleotide probes, highly specific fluorescence sensors based on aptamer target recognition, tools for tissue lipidomics, labelled lipid probes, and chemically labelled live immune cells will be developed. Biomolecule-inspired nanomaterials will be designed for advanced drug carriers that enable tissue-specific or biomarker-induced drug release.
In collaboration with research groups in WP2, WP3, and WP5, the pharmacokinetics and toxicity of drug metabolites will be determined. Both targeted and non-targeted methods will be developed to achieve sensitive, selective, time- and cost-effective identification and quantification of known and novel metabolites and biomarkers in biological matrices. State-of-the-art methods, including proteomic, lipidomic, and metabolomic approaches and advanced statistical evaluation, will be used, including real patient samples from the University Hospital Hradec Králové.
Candidate drugs targeting molecular triggers of disease, both synthetic and natural, will be designed. To improve the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in vulnerable subpopulations, drugs will target gene deregulation via nuclear receptors, methyltransferases, transcription factors, or selective toxicity via topoisomerase modulation. State-of-the-art computational methods will be used to design these molecules.
Researchers from WP4 will be consulted to identify gaps in current pharmacotherapy that may be addressed using chemical tools, while feedback from WP2, WP3, and WP5 will guide synthetic strategies.
…In Simple Terms:
WP1 – New Drugs and Tailored Diagnostics
Scientists from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Charles University, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry are working on the development of new drugs and diagnostic tools that will be precisely targeted at vulnerable patient groups, such as the elderly, cancer patients, or people with chronic diseases.
What exactly do we do?
We develop smart probes and nanocarriers that can detect disease in the body before symptoms appear and deliver medicines precisely where they are needed.
We study how medicines change inside the body—their metabolism—to find out what works, what can be harmful, and how to improve it.
We design new drugs that will be more effective and safer because they will respond to specific disease triggers in the patient's body.
Why does it matter?
Thanks to this research, we can move closer to personalized medicine—treatment tailored to each patient. This will primarily help those for whom standard therapies often fail or cause strong side effects.
WP2 Pharmacology and Toxicology
Work Package 2 Leader | Team of approx. 38 members
Prof. PharmDr. František Štaud, Ph.D.
František Štaud (0000-0001-6712-097X) - ORCID
Prof. František Štaud is a respected expert in the fields of pharmacokinetics, drug transport mechanisms, and placental pharmacology. He works at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové, where he conducts research into the transfer of drugs across biological barriers, particularly the placenta, and their impact on the fetus. He is the author of more than 100 publications in international peer-reviewed journals and the recipient of numerous awards for scientific achievement. He plays a significant role in both basic and applied research, including collaboration with foreign institutions. Within the NETPHARM project, he contributes cutting-edge expertise in transplacental drug transfer and mechanistic insights into the processes affecting the safety of pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. His work contributes to the development of individualized treatment regimens with an emphasis on the specifics of particularly sensitive population groups.
Work Package 2 in a Nutshell:
Scientific research in the field of pharmacology, pharmacology and treatment: Researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové will focus on creating innovative experimental approaches to investigating the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic properties of successful drug candidates obtained from WP1. In close collaboration with WP1, WP3, and WP5, WP2 will search for, define, and validate new target proteins (receptors, enzymes, transporters, ion channels, etc.) and/or potential drug candidates. In addition, the pharmacological properties and interactions of clinically used drugs will be studied.
Scientific description:
Research within WP2 integrates expertise from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, with the aim of identifying new targets for therapeutic modulation, particularly in connection with diseases where standard treatments fail or are burdened with undesirable effects. The focus is on vulnerable patient groups, such as the elderly, obese patients, pregnant women, individuals with comorbidities, and patients with altered metabolic and regulatory pathways, while also taking sex-related differences into account. The goal is to develop more effective and safer drugs through the following approaches:
Identification of new therapeutic targets using a combination of molecular biology methods, screening tests, and in vivo models. We will investigate the mechanisms of action of selected compounds and test their effect on signalling pathways involved in disease pathogenesis.
Preclinical evaluation of efficacy and safety of candidate molecules using in vitro and in vivo models, including animal models of diseases that recapitulate changes typical of aging or metabolic disorders. Pharmacokinetics and metabolism, including the formation of potentially toxic metabolites, will be analysed in detail. Special emphasis will be placed on evaluating major types of toxicity, such as hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART).
Collaboration with WP1, WP3, and WP5 will enable an integrated approach to drug development, linking insights from chemical design, biological testing, and metabolic profiling. Feedback from WP4 will enable the transfer of results into clinical practice, particularly in the field of personalized pharmacotherapy.
…In Simple Terms:
WP2 – How to Develop Safer and More Effective Drugs for Vulnerable Patients?
Treating certain patient groups—such as the elderly, pregnant women, obese individuals, or seriously ill people—is complex and often does not work as it should. Researchers from the NETPHARM project are therefore exploring innovative approaches to better understand the effects and side effects of drugs, thereby enhancing their safety and efficacy.
We focus on testing novel compounds and drug delivery systems that can be effective where conventional treatments fail. Our research investigates, for example, why certain substances cause liver or heart damage, how drugs are metabolized in the body, and how they affect men and women differently. We utilize advanced laboratory and animal models that mimic, for example, aging or metabolic disorders.
The goal is to develop drugs tailored for specific patient groups, considering their health status, age, or gender—bringing us closer to truly personalized medicine of the future.
WP3 New Drug Delivery Systems and Dosage Forms
Work Package 3 Leader | Team of approx. 44 members
prof. Mgr. Martin Hrubý, Ph.D., DSc.
Martin Hrubý (0000-0002-5075-261X) - ORCID
Prof. Martin Hrubý is a leading expert in the field of macromolecular chemistry, targeted drug delivery, and the design of smart polymer materials for medicine. He works at the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where he leads a team focused on the development of biocompatible polymer carriers that enable controlled and localized drug release. He is the author of more than 200 scientific publications, co-author of patents, and an active participant in international research projects. Within the NETPHARM project, he brings unique expertise in the field of polymeric drugs and nanomedicine, particularly for the development of new drug delivery systems with a high degree of accuracy and safety. His work contributes significantly to the shift from basic research towards the practical application of results in clinical practice.
Work Package 3 in a Nutshell:
A scientific team for research into medicinal products, which conducts research into medicinal products. The aim of WP3 is to develop cutting-edge advanced nanoformulations and targeted delivery systems for bioactive components in collaboration with work packages WP1, WP2, and WP5.
Scientific description:
Research in WP3 (FoP CU, UCT Prague, IMC CAS CZ) focuses on the development of advanced drug forms and targeted drug delivery systems. The main objective is to increase efficacy, safety, and individualization of pharmacotherapy, especially in vulnerable patient groups (the elderly, pediatric patients, patients with chronic diseases). The goal is to achieve higher bioavailability, targeted delivery, controlled release, and reduction in the incidence of adverse effects.
We will develop innovative nanoparticle systems for drug delivery, including lipid nanoparticles, polymer carriers, and hybrid structures that enable targeted release of the active substance at the site of the pathological process. These systems will be optimized for biocompatibility, stability, and scalability for clinical use. The research will also include the development of systems for delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids (e.g., siRNA, mRNA), which represent a promising tool for modern targeted therapy.
We will develop drug forms designed for specific patient populations, including oral, mucoadhesive, and transdermal systems, with the aim of taking into account physiological and metabolic differences, e.g., in geriatric patients. We will focus on improving adherence and ease of drug administration.
The research will also include theranostic applications combining diagnostic and therapeutic functions, as well as polymers sensitive to specific stimuli (pH, temperature, enzymes) for controlled release.
To predict the properties of new carrier systems and their interactions with biological structures, we will use advanced modelling based on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In collaboration with WP1, WP2, and WP5, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the properties of the new drug systems, including the study of interactions with biological membranes, release profiles, and pharmacokinetic parameters. Close collaboration with WP4 will ensure the transfer of knowledge into clinical evaluation, particularly in the context of individual therapeutic needs.
…In Simple Terms:
WP3: Smarter and Safer Drug Delivery
Not all drugs work as we'd like. Some are poorly absorbed, others break down in the body before they can take effect, or they simply fail to reach their target. That's why NETPHARM project researchers are developing new "delivery systems" and smart drug forms. These ensure that the medication gets to the precise target location and is released at the right time.
For example, we're focusing on how to better deliver DNA or RNA molecules, which can treat genetic or inflammatory diseases. We're developing new types of capsules, injections, and inhalers that allow for the effective and gentle administration of substances that are otherwise difficult to absorb.
This research links pharmacy, chemistry, biology, physics, and artificial intelligence. Its goal is personalised medicine—tailored treatment for specific patients. This will allow for better diagnosis and more precise treatment of serious diseases, including those that are currently difficult to manage with conventional drugs.
WP4 Geriatric Clinical Pharmacy and New Technologies for Individualizing Drug Regimens in Older Patients
Work Package 4 Leader | Team of approx. 13 members
Assoc. Prof. PharmDr. Daniela Fialová, Ph.D.
Daniela Fialová - Google Scholar
Associate Professor Daniela Fialová is a recognised expert in the field of geriatric clinical pharmacy, pharmacoepidemiology, and optimization of pharmacotherapy in older people. Based at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové, her long-standing research focuses on the risks associated with polypharmacy, inappropriate medication use, and the individualization of treatment in older age. She is a member of international research consortia, a co-author of European recommendations for rational prescribing in older people, and author of more than 160 scientific publications. She is also actively involved in the education of clinical pharmacy and geriatrics professionals. Within the NETPHARM project, her work focuses on the development of new software tools and technologies for individualising treatment and optimising medication regimes for polymorbid older patients. Her research has significant clinical relevance and contributes to safer and more effective pharmacotherapy in older age.
Work Package 4 in a Nutshell:
WP4 plans to investigate, test, and summarize new recommendations for more detailed individualisation of drug regimens in older patients, taking into account the various stages of geriatric frailty and cardio-hepato-renal syndrome. These principles and recommendations will be developed for both acute and outpatient care and transformed into IT algorithms and software technology supporting the applicability of research outcomes in modern electronic healthcare. The newly developed recommendations will also be published in the form of interdisciplinary clinical guidelines.
Scientific description:
Research within WP4 (Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University and University Hospital Hradec Králové) focuses on improving the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy in older patients through the individualisation of drug regimens, using new technologies. The goal is to reduce the risk of adverse drug complications, which are both frequent and serious in the geriatric population. The research primarily focuses on individualising drug regimens according to various stages of geriatric frailty and different stages of cardio-hepato-renal syndrome, which are key clinical situations that very significantly affect the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy.
Research work in WP4 involves analysing current prescription patterns, identifying high-risk drug regimens, and evaluating polypharmacy in older age. It includes the assessment of real-world data from clinical practice and is conducted in collaboration with acute clinical pharmacy departments and clinical pharmacist outpatient clinics in various regions of the Czech Republic, through interdisciplinary cooperation with specialists and healthcare facilities in acute and outpatient care in the specialised fields of geriatrics and nephrology.
The goal of WP4 is to develop, based on the created algorithms for individualised pharmacotherapy, software tools that connect the communication of clinical pharmacists with specialists from other medical fields and enable personalised treatment and faster clinical decision-making. In collaboration with WP2 and WP3, WP4 also focuses on educating pharmacists and physicians in new approaches to the individualisation of rational geriatric pharmacotherapy.
The results of WP4 will be used to propose national and international recommendations for clinical practice in the field of individualised geriatric pharmacotherapy, including adjustments to dosing, dosing intervals, and the monitoring of recommended parameters to verify the efficacy and safety of treatment. The first algorithms and software tools will be tested in pilot clinical studies.
The research work in WP4 is carried out in four main phases: (A) targeted and systematic literature reviews of sources concerning the individualisation of drug regimens based on parameters of geriatric frailty and cardio-hepato-renal syndrome, (B) a multicentre prospective cross-sectional study using comprehensive geriatric assessments and interdisciplinary medication reviews in collaboration with clinical pharmacy departments and outpatient clinics in various regions of the Czech Republic, (C) the approval of newly defined recommendations by an expert Delphi panel, and (D) the implementation of verified algorithms into software technology and new clinical guidelines.
…In Simple Terms:
WP4: Individualised Pharmacotherapy in Older Patients: A Path to Safer and More Effective Treatment
This research aims to improve the treatment of older patients, who often take multiple medications simultaneously. This practice, known as polypharmacy, increases the risk of adverse effects, medication errors, and post-medication complications. With age, not only do the body's physiological functions change, but so does the way it processes and responds to drugs. Therefore, treatment must be carefully adapted to each patient's individual needs, considering their health status and coexisting conditions.
Within the project, we are developing modern tools and technologies, such as advanced software tools, to help physicians and pharmacists better select drug regimens that are "tailor-made" for specific patients. The software will be able to adjust medication regimens, especially based on the deteriorating function of vital organs (heart, liver, and kidneys) and the body's internal reserves (known as the level of geriatric frailty). It will thus offer highly individualised recommendations for safer and more effective drug use in older age.
We expect the results of this research to lead to new clinical procedures and software solutions that will significantly improve the "personalisation" of treatment in older people, reduce the risks of administered drugs, and thereby enhance the quality of life for older patients. These new procedures will lead to a reduction in hospitalisations and healthcare costs and will contribute to safer and more effective care for the growing senior population.
WP5 Advanced in Vitro and in Silico Approaches in Drug Development
Work Package 5 Leader | Team of approx. 17 members
Assoc. Prof. PharmDr. Tomáš Smutný, Ph.D.
Tomáš Smutný (0000-0001-5788-7413) - ORCID
Associate Professor Tomáš Smutný is a talented researcher specialising in molecular pharmacology, based at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University in Hradec Králové. His research primarily focuses on nuclear receptors and their role in regulating cellular functions, particularly in relation to drug metabolism. He has extensive experience with advanced in vitro models and molecular biology methods. He is the author or co-author of numerous scientific publications in prestigious international journals and is actively involved in national and international research projects. As part of the NETPHARM project, he contributes to the identification of new potential drugs affecting nuclear receptor functions and collaborates on the development of innovative predictive models to optimise pharmacotherapy.
Work Package 5 in a Nutshell:
The aim of WP5 is to utilise advanced and modern in vitro and in silico approaches to support the development of advanced therapies within other work packages WP1, WP2, and WP3.
Scientific description:
Over the past 20 years, the algorithms for developing new molecular and biopharmaceutical entities (NMEs/NBEs) have significantly changed. Several computational models are now commonly used to identify lead candidate compounds or to develop nanoparticle delivery systems. These include pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling, physiologically based mathematical models, quantitative structure-activity relationships, and target-structure simulation modelling. In addition, sophisticated models based on recombinant proteins or primary human cell organoids have revolutionised preclinical testing.
In Work Package 5, we will utilise several advanced in silico and in vitro approaches to enable the efficient development and characterisation of new small molecules or advanced drug delivery systems.
We will use computer simulations to identify new compounds and to study structure-activity relationships. We will use bioinformatics and biostatistics for transcriptomic, miRNomics, and metabolomic analyses (the latter in collaboration with WP1) to provide a detailed description of candidate compounds or to develop drug/nucleic acid delivery systems.
For the development of new nuclear receptor (NR) ligands, we will use mathematical models that consider the PK/PD relationship and time-dependent gene expression profiling. For the biophysical characterisation of target protein-ligand interactions, we will use surface plasmon resonance (SPR), isothermal calorimetry, and protein X-ray crystallography.
To study the behaviour of nanoparticles and their cellular uptake, we will use cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in conjunction with bioinformatics tools. Finally, to evaluate the metabolic stability, metabolism profiling of new NMEs, or their effects on the liver, we will use 3D spheroids of primary human hepatocytes (PHH), which maintain a relevant and stable phenotype in culture for several weeks. This model will be used for metabolite profiling of both known and newly developed drugs using HPLC-MS/MS.
…In Simple Terms:
WP5: The Drugs of the Future: How Computers and Human Cells Help Create Safer, More Effective Treatment
In our research, we use modern computer methods and special laboratory models of human cells to develop new and better drugs.
Computer programs help us find and modify compounds that could form the basis of new drugs. This allows us to predict how these substances will act in the human body and how they will interact with specific parts of an organism.
Beyond computers, we also work with advanced models of human cells. These help us to better study how drugs function and what their potential side effects might be.
We also use cutting-edge equipment that allows us to study the molecular mechanisms of drugs in detail and to observe how tiny nanoparticles—which serve as "transport vehicles" for medications—enter cells.
What makes our research unique is the comprehensive integration of computer simulations with high-fidelity human cell models, which allows us to develop drugs with greater precision and safety than ever before. This approach offers revolutionary possibilities for predicting drug effects and safety even before clinical testing.
The result of our work will be the development of drugs that can help treat a variety of diseases.
