Four innovative projects from the Karolinska Institutet (KI) have received funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation as part of the SciLifeLab’s Proof-of-Concept program. These grants aim to enhance the transition from academic research to practical applications in the life sciences sector.
According to Sara Mazur, executive director of the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, “The Proof of Concept grant provides researchers with powerful support to take the next step toward practical application of their research results.” The funding is designed to foster early-stage innovations from academic research, ultimately leading to benefits for society.
A total of eleven innovation projects were awarded grants in the 2025 call for proposals, with four of them spearheaded by KI researchers. The program encompasses a diverse range of fields within life science, including environmental science, sustainability, diagnostics, drug development, research tools, e-health, and industrial biotechnology. This breadth positions the initiative as a crucial mechanism for accelerating innovation across Sweden.
Details of the Awarded Projects
An expert panel from SciLifeLab and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation evaluates the applications, while the final decisions are made by the board of the Foundation. Researchers eligible to apply include previous grant recipients from the Wallenberg Foundations, as well as those affiliated with SciLifeLab, the Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, or the SciLifeLab & Wallenberg National Program for Data-Driven Life Science (DDLS).
The selected projects exhibit three key characteristics: a solid scientific foundation, significant innovation potential, and the appropriate stage for advancement. Each awarded project will receive between 1 million and 4 million SEK over a period of up to two years. Additionally, project managers will benefit from support provided by the Wallenberg Launch Pad (WALP) team, aimed at guiding their innovations to commercial viability.
The current round of Proof-of-Concept grants focuses on three main areas: life science, materials science, and advancements in artificial intelligence, quantum technology, or information and communication technology (ICT). Since the program’s inception in 2017, a total of 139 Proof-of-Concept grants have been awarded.
Profiles of Leading Researchers
The four projects led by KI researchers are:
– **Gonçalo Castelo-Branco**, professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, focusing on developing a cost-effective, sensitive DNA methylation profiling method for single-cell and spatial epigenomics.
– **Ana Teixeira**, senior researcher at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, working on large-scale, high-resolution single-cell mapping of membrane protein nanodomains.
– **Vincent Pelechano**, professor at the Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, aiming to revolutionize antimicrobial sensitivity testing with molecular phenotypic readouts.
– **Qiang Pan-Hammarström**, professor at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, developing secretory IgA antibodies intended for antiviral therapy.
Founded in 1917, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation aims to support Swedish basic research and education, particularly in medicine, technology, and the natural sciences. It achieves this by granting funds to outstanding researchers and projects. Since its establishment, the Foundation has awarded nearly 42 billion SEK in grants, making it the largest private funder of scientific research in Sweden and one of the foremost in Europe. In 2025 alone, the Foundation allocated a total of 2.5 billion SEK for excellent basic research and education in Sweden.
