PRAGUE – March 5th, 2019: The Parc (Pharmaceutical Applied Research Center) is marking its five-year anniversary by launching The Parc Awards at a ceremony held at Zentiva Headquarters in Prague on March 5th. The Parc is a unique research platform designed to benefit future generations of scientists. 

“We are proud to be working alongside the next generation of scientists, giving them hands-on experience of drug development in action” commented Pavel Calta, PhD, Executive Director. “Launching The Parc Awards, which consists of two categories, will give participating students the recognition they deserve, and we hope many of them will continue to pursue careers in drug Research & Development.”

Initiated by Zentiva, The Parc was created in association with three academic partners: the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague; the Faculty of Science in Charles University; and is now joined by the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences. This highly successful initiative has brought rising talent together with leading pharmaceutical and academic experts, all working to accelerate innovation in drug Research & Development. 

The Parc enables PhD students to gain industry work experience in solid-state chemistry, pharma technology, bio-pharmacy and clinical research. Collaborating with academic partners across Europe, The Parc also offers a mentorship program where students are supervised by top academic scientists, sharing expertise and carrying out day-to-day support. Currently, 25 PhD students are participating in this program. Since its creation, 8 students have graduated, 4 of which joined Zentiva. As for the remaining students, 2 have decided to pursue a career in academia, further expanding The Parc´s science network, and 2 are currently working in other pharmaceutical companies.

“We are extremely grateful to Zentiva for supporting The Parc and giving our graduate students and academics the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts to address the biggest challenges in healthcare. I would like to congratulate the awardees and wish them every success in their future professional careers” commented Prof. Ing. František Štěpánek, PhD.

About Faculty of science of Charles University

The Faculty of Science was established in 1920 as the fifth faculty of Charles University. It currently has 29 departments, 3 museums and a large Botanical Garden. The faculty is academically and organizationally divided into 4 sections: biological, geographical, geological and chemical. In addition to these sections, the faculty has several specialized teaching and research centres, including interdisciplinary institutions such as the Institute for Environmental Studies. All parts of the faculty are active in both teaching and research.

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

IOCB Prague is a leading internationally recognized scientific institution whose primary mission is the pursuit of basic research in chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and materials chemistry, chemistry of natural substances, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. An integral part of the IOCB Prague’s mission is the implementation of the results of basic research in practice. Emphasis on interdisciplinary research gives rise to a wide range of applications in medicine, pharmacy, and other fields.

About University of Chemistry and Technology Prague

The University of Chemistry and Technology Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

About Zentiva | www.zentiva.com

At Zentiva we aspire that healthcare should be a right and not a privilege. More than ever, people need better access to healthcare. Today, the everyday solutions that we all depend on truly count as a vital foundation of healthy living. Zentiva works for the people living in Europe. Standing side-by-side with healthcare professionals, pharmacists and Health System decision-makers, we have the same sense of social obligation to help lower costs and improve access to healthcare. With more than 2,500 people across Europe and 2 production sites in Prague and Bucharest we strive to be the champions of Generics and OTC medicines to better support people’s daily healthcare needs.

Media contact

Mounira Lemoui
Communication Business Partner 
Zentiva Group, a.s. 
Cell: +420 727 873 159 
U Kabelovny 130, 102 37 PRAGUE 
Czech Republic 
www.zentiva.com