Dr. Valeria Grazú co-founded PROMETHENZ, a spin-off built on a Key Exploitable Result (KER ) from the FETOPEN project HOTZYMES, which she coordinated. The exploitation of the project’s result demonstrated how remote enzyme control via localized magnetic heating enables precise spatial and temporal activation of chemotherapy agents from inactive prodrugs at the tumor site. By using enzymes active at temperatures above body temperature, this breakthrough approach avoids off-target effects of traditional chemotherapy.
Her participation in several EIC programmes (EIC Tech to Market programme and the EIC Women Leadership programme) was instrumental in shaping and validating the business idea, as well as providing the mindset for the transition from the lab to the start-up that she co-founded.