Mabion Launches €500,000 Services Contest To Support Next-Gen Oncology Breakthroughs

Lodz, Poland – Mabion, a leading biotech-focused CDMO offering end-to-end services, has announced the launch of a €500,000 oncology services contest at BIO International Convention 2025, aimed at accelerating the development of, recombinant protein-based cancer therapies. The contest will culminate at CPHI Worldwide in Frankfurt this October, spotlighting promising biotechs ready to scale their innovation.

"Despite unprecedented scientific advances, many oncology treatments still face hurdles at the funding stage," said Julita Balcerek, Ph.D., COO at Mabion. "This contest is our invitation to innovators who just need the right partner. We’re offering more than a prize; we’re offering a path to impact”.

The initiative provides a simplified entry process via QR code at Mabion’s booth and a dedicated landing page. Selected entrants will be guided through pre-qualification, NDAs, and proposal shaping with Mabion’s business development team.

Rooted in a country that gave the world Marie Curie and other scientific pioneers, Mabion proudly builds on Poland’s legacy of innovation. From groundbreaking research in radioactivity to modern-day biomanufacturing, the spirit of Polish science lives on in every partnership we forge. Lodz, once a global textile hub, is now a rising force in life sciences, and Mabion is helping shape that transformation.

An independent jury of experts will evaluate entries based on scientific merit, feasibility, and potential patient impact:

• Prof. Tadeusz Pietrucha, Medical Biotechnology Department at Medical University of Łódź – Translational Oncology Expert
• Prof. Przemysław Juszczyński, Department of Experimental Hematology and Transfusionology at Lazarski University – Scientific Innovation Specialist
• Prof. Gestur Vidarsson. PI and head of Immunoglobulin Research at Sanquin Research at the Utrecht University and Chair of the Immunoglobulin Biotherapeutics group – Leading Expert in Immunoglobulin-based Biotherapeutics
• Alicja Santos, Ph.D., CEO of Polonium Foundation – Biotech Talent Advocate
• Julita Balcerek, Ph.D., COO of Mabion – CDMO Strategy Leader

The winner will receive a €500,000 credit toward Mabion’s integrated CDMO capabilities, including process and analytical development, upstream/downstream processing, and clinical supply manufacturing. Runner-up entries may also be invited into partnership discussions, reinforcing Mabion’s focus on long-term collaboration.

"Wherever you’re based, this is your chance to accelerate your breakthrough program with Mabion’s financial support and world class services," Balcerek added. "Mabion is proud to help turn scientific ambition into clinical reality.”

The launch is supported by a multi-channel campaign featuring LinkedIn promotions, media outreach, email engagement, and in-booth activations at BIO and CPHI. Countdown content and giveaways will maintain visibility throughout the program.

More details can be found at https://www.mabion.eu/competition/

Media Contact

Aranda Rahbarkouhi
ramarketing
aranda@ramarketingpr.com
+44 7807 009 347

About Mabion

Mabion S.A. (WSE: MAB) is a publicly traded Polish biopharmaceutical company, founded in 2007. Mabion is a European-based CDMO specializing in complex biologics. Mabion specializes in small to mid-sized projects at various stages of development – from early-stage development of stable cell lines to commercial manufacturing. Mabion’s core competencies include monoclonal antibody development technologies, recombinant protein production (using mammalian and insect cell expression systems), advanced analytics, and manufacturing of both Drug Substance and Drug Product. The company operates in compliance with globally recognized quality standards, including GMP, and ISO. Mabion employs over 200 highly qualified professionals, including scientists, engineers, and experts in quality, manufacturing, and analytical development for biologics. The company is committed to accelerating access to innovative therapies through science-led collaboration. The company's mission is to be a trusted global partner for the development and manufacturing of biologic medicines.

Q&A Session

What exact services are included in the €500,000 prize?

Mabion: The €500,000 services credit covers CDMO services at Mabion, including process and analytical development, upstream and downstream processing, and drug product manufacturing for the winning recombinant protein-based oncology therapy.

Is the support tailored to early-stage/preclinical projects, or is clinical-phase work eligible?

Mabion: The initiative is aimed at accelerating promising projects which can really make a difference to Patients lives. We therefore welcome a broad panel of projects, both innovative and biosimilar, both early and late phase. The main qualifiers are the fit with Mabions services and the likelyhood of positively impacting patiensts lives.

Why now? Why is this contest relevant in 2025’s oncology landscape?

Mabion: Despite scientific progress, funding gaps continue to hinder promising oncology treatments. In 2025, we see a critical need to support translational projects with both financial resources and CDMO infrastructure to accelerate time to clinic.

How does this initiative reflect Mabion’s long-term strategy or recent growth?

Mabion: This contest reflects Mabion’s evolution into a European CDMO powerhouse with deep capabilities in complex biologics manufacturing. It embodies our strategy to support biotech innovators by offering services, and scientific partnership powered by our end-to-end Polish facility and cross-functional biologics teams.

Are there any past collaborations/success stories that this initiative builds upon?

Mabion: While the contest is a new initiative, it builds on Mabion’s legacy of trusted partnerships and successful biologics development. A key milestone in our evolution was the initiation of a highly productive collaboration with Novavax, which continues to this day and has played a major role in accelerating our transformation into a fully integrated, end-to-end CDMO.

Since then, we have successfully launched and executed multiple development programs, including biosimilars, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), multispecific antibody formats, and drug-conjugated protein therapeutics. These projects have deepened our scientific capabilities and reinforced our commitment to supporting innovative biotech companies in bringing complex biologics from early development to GMP manufacturing.

Will the winner be profiled in future marketing or case studies?

Mabion: Yes, if the winner wants it. The selected project can be featured as part of Mabion’s scientific communications strategy, including case studies, conference spotlights, and digital content, highlighting how our technological platforms and expert teams help accelerate promising oncology therapeutics toward the clinic.