Research & Development
Explora is engaged in several proprietary and partnered research programs for the development of innovative tools for the Life Sciences sector. Explora actively pursues scientific and commercial partnerships for the development of joint projects. Explora also offers the transfer of its proprietary technologies to its clients in view of technology access fees, license payments, developmental milestones, and royalties on end products.



Current R&D projects

ULYSSES
Smart Exploration of the Sequence Space for Enzyme and Protein Optimization

Type: Proprietary research project

Enzymes represent by far the most advanced catalysts known to date and harnessing their catalytic potential is one of the major goals of biotechnology. Natural enzymes often need to be engineered before being used in industrial or pharmaceutical processes and directed evolution has emerged as a powerful tool to re-design enzyme by means of screening large libraries of mutants through iterative cycles of mutation and selection. Despite of the recent accomplishments of directed evolution protocols, the exhaustive exploration of the mutant space remains unattainable both experimentally and computationally. The proprietary Ulysses Protein Design™ platform integrates structural and computational data to identify those regions of the protein space with the higher density of functional mutants in order to streamline the protein engineering process and shorten experimental time.

Interested in trying our platform? Contact our R&D Department

EASYDISPLAY
Novel display system to unlock the potential of molecular evolution

Type: Proprietary research project

Directed evolution has emerged as a powerful method in protein engineering to harness the power of Natural selection to evolve proteins with desirable properties not found in nature. One fundamental requirement to carry out directed evolution is the availability of physical link between the genotype and the phenotype. Several methods are available to this end among which phage display, mRNA display and cell display. Explora's team is developing a novel completely in vitro  method (unlike phage display and cell display) that will ensure a direct covalent link between the genotype and the phenotype. In addition, the envisage method will not require any chemical manipulation of the sample (unlike mRNA display).

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ETOILE
Bioethanol Production via lignocellulosic fermentation of olive oil residues

Type: Partnered research project - EU Grant nr. 222331
Partners: The ETOILE consortium - Project Coordinator: Labor Srl (IT)

The ETOILE project intends to develop a new integrated process were olive mill waste water is purified and at the same time cellulase enzymes are obtained. These enzymes are then used onto the solid olive oil residues, such as olive pulp and husks, to obtain ethanol. Within the ETOILE project Explora will collaborate to develop effective enzyme production process to exploit the biomass potential of Olive oil mill waste water.

For any inquiry, please contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.etoile-project.eu

MAGISTER
Magnetic Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Type: Partnered research project - EU Grant nr. 214685-2
Partners: The MAGISTER consortium - Project Coordinator: National Research Counsil - ISMN (IT)

The project aims at developing conceptually-innovative highly porous bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering exploiting paramagnetic materials for advanced clinical applications with a special emphasis on the angiogenesis process. Within the MAGISTER project, Explora will leverage its expertise in protein engineering and optimization to develop novel bioactive bio conjugates.

For any inquiry, please contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.magister-project.eu

BOLALIP
Bola lipids for oral and systemic drug delivery

Type: Partnered research project - Israel-Italy Joint Innovation Programm
Partners: National Reseach Counsil (IT),  Hebrew University Jerusalem (IL) and BioLab Ltd (IL)

The BOLALip project aims at development a novel drug delivery system exploiting the unique chemico-physical properties of synthetic bipolar lipids (Bolalipids). Lipid based (liposomes, emulsions, micelles and other lipid assemblies) drug delivery systems (DDS), while proved successful for parental applications fail in most oral applications due to chemical and physical stability issues of drug delivery systems based on conventional lipids in the GastroIntestinal (GI) tract. Replacing conventional lipids (mainly phospholipids) with Bolalipids may help to overcome these major obstacles. Within the framework of the BOLALIP project, Explora will leverage its expertise in protein engineering to design and implement a biosynthetic pathways for the synthesis of functionalised isoprenic hydrocarbon chains which constitute the backbone of bolalipids.

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THE GRAIL
Tissue in Host Engineering Guided Regeneration of Arterial Intimal Layer

Type: Partnered research project - EU Grant nr. 278557
Partners: The THE GARIL consortium - Project Coordinator: Explora Biotech (IT)

The THEGRAIL project aims at developing bioactive and bioresorbable scaffolds that locally regenerates intima growth in patients with atherosclerosis. Within the framework of the THEGRAIL project, Explora will act as coordinator, leveraging its expertise to design and test in vivo the novel scaffold. The project explores an unexplored area arterial obstruction therapy: the substitution of the diseased arterial intima with an absorbable bioactive scaffold, called the synthesized intimal layer (SIL), is meant to be repopulated by resident and circulating patient's cells". Indeed, SIL does not intend to stent the artery; conversely it aims to replace the diseased and stiffened area with a soft and compliant intelligent scaffold that becomes reabsorbed once its task is completed, leaving a physiologically responsive regenerated tissue.

For any inquiry, please contact us This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or  www.thegrail-project.eu

Are you interested in a partnered research program? Contact our This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , we will be pleased to provide you with any information you may require