The Technology and Innovation Park of Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice (TIP UPJŠ) was established on 4 September 2017 as a strategic initiative of UPJŠ to support applied research, technology transfer and innovation through cooperation between academia and industry. TIP UPJŠ focuses on the fields of biomedicine, biotechnology, informatics and advanced materials.
An important figure in the establishment and development of TIP UPJŠ was its first director prof. RNDr. Pavol Miškovský, DrSc., a renowned expert in the field of biophysics and photodynamic therapy. Under his leadership, TIP UPJŠ achieved significant success in building infrastructure and securing funding for projects from European Structural Funds. Prof. Miškovský was awarded the “Technologist of the Year” award in 2021 for his contribution in the field of technology transfer.
Prof. RNDr. Pavol Sovák, CSc., as the Rector of UPJŠ in the period from 2015 to 2023, strongly supported the development of TIP as one of the key pillars of the University’s strategy. During his tenure, the university successfully integrated with the industrial sphere and regional government, thus contributing to stopping the brain drain from the region.
The continuators in the development of TIP UPJŠ from 2023 are the new rector prof. Their vision is to implement current trends and processes in the field of technology transfer, applications and innovations into practice, as well as further development of cooperation with companies and enterprises not only in the Košice region.
Main milestones and achievements of TIP UPJŠ since 2017:
2017: official establishment of TIP UPJŠ and the beginning of the first scientific research projects in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology.
2018-2019: Significant investments in research infrastructure, including modern laboratory equipment for applied research and biocompatibility testing (upjs.sk).
2020: Award of several national and international projects, thus strengthening international collaboration and visibility of TIP UPJŠ.
2021: Opening of new laboratories for bioscience research, which strengthened the scientific and research level of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Biosciences of TIP UPJŠ .
2022: Continued support for startups and spin-off companies through the TIP UPJŠ accelerator and incubator, with support from several major companies such as SAFTRA Imagine, RVmagnetics, and DEG bioresearch .
2023: Development of a new type of polycaprolactone-based nanofibrous dressing solution releasing second-generation lipophosphono-toxins, effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, in collaboration with the Institute of Pharmacology, UPJŠ LF.
TIP UPJŠ, which under the leadership of prof. Miškovský and with the support of prof. Sovák established itself as a centre of excellence, today under the new leadership of the Rector prof. Daniel Pella and Director Dr. Andrej Mirossay, is entering the next stage of development as a dynamic and visionary environment for the young generation of students and scientists. In the heart of Košice and eastern Slovakia, with a huge potential for connecting with neighbouring countries, especially Ukraine, it is becoming a strategic catalyst for modern science, technology and innovation.
