This shall be fun again!

I am deeply honored to be invited by PhD Circle (Gjylije Hoti & Visar Vela) to talk about The CarboHyde story

My title is “From Vision to Impact: The Cyclodextrin Revolution at CarboHyde.”

Join us online to discover how innovative applications of cyclodextrins are driving breakthroughs across industries, and how scientific vision can be transformed into real-world impact through entrepreneurship and cutting-edge research.

🗓️ 21 May, 2026
🕖 19:00 CET
📍 Online
🔗https://lnkd.in/da-zSjXH

Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the conversation shaping tomorrow’s innovations.

New paper with CNR

Oops, we did it again.
This time with CNR: Nino Mazzaglia, Giuseppe Pappalardo and may others and of course our dear Milo Malanga.

Together we explored the role, chemistry and biology of defensins, of course with the help of cyclodextrins, particularly succinylated-BCD polymer.

Defensins are a large and ancient family of host–defence peptides present across vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants, where they play a crucial role in innate immunity.

Structural Characterization, β‐Cyclodextrin Polymer Interaction, and Biological Assessment of the N‐Terminal Peptide from the RPD‐1 Big Defensin of Ruditapes p hilippinarum – Turnaturi – 2026 – Chemistry–Methods – Wiley Online Library

The next masterclass is NOT about cyclodextrins!

Our Indian branch is diving deep into the uses of silicon dioxide and DR NASEEM KHAN will share a lot about its pharma uses and possibilities.

What if one of the most widely used materials in drug formulation is also one of the most promising for the future?

Join us for an insightful webinar exploring the evolving role of silicon dioxide in the pharmaceutical industry. From enhancing drug stability to improving delivery systems, this versatile excipient is shaping the next generation of medicines.

What you’ll learn:
– The functional benefits of silicon dioxide in modern formulations
– Innovations driving its expanded use in pharmaceuticals
– Regulatory considerations and quality standards
– Future trends and research breakthroughs

Silicon Dioxide in Pharmaceuticals – A Future Excipient – CarboHyde

Meet the Team!

Most formulation scientists are drawn to complexity. Balázs Attila Kondoros was drawn to elegance.

“What fascinates me is how cyclodextrins, despite their simple structure, can efficiently encapsulate molecules and solve real formulation challenges.”

Ask him about his proudest achievement, and he does not point to a single project. Instead, he points to a process:

“Rather than one result, I’m most proud of building up the formulation capabilities at CarboHyde together with the team.”

The challenge that keeps him thinking?

“Achieving fully reliable prediction of host–guest interactions. That would significantly accelerate development.”

From molecular elegance to team building to predictive precision, that is how a formulation scientist thinks at CarboHyde.

More stories from the team are coming soon.

Balazs Kondoros

Excited to represent CarboHyde at the DDF Summit in Berlin

Our Lead Formulation Expert, Balázs Attila Kondoros, will be attending the upcoming Drug Delivery & Formulation (DDF) Summit in Berlin, where he’ll be diving into the latest innovations in drug delivery technologies.

At CarboHyde, we are particularly interested in exploring how emerging challenges in formulation and delivery could be addressed using cyclodextrins — unlocking new possibilities for solubility, stability, and bioavailability.

Balazs is looking forward to connecting with fellow experts, exchanging ideas, and identifying collaboration opportunities.

Do you want to learn more about Carbo and cyclodextrins?

Who else will be attending? Let’s connect in Berlin!

Phototherapeutic β-Cyclodextrin-Branched Polymer Releasing Nitric Oxide with Fluorescent Self-Reporting and Its Combination with Doxorubicin

What can we bring out of cyclodextrin polymers at CarboHyde?

Whatever you want, apparently 🙂

Our long-term collaboration with Salvo Sortino‘s team and Szabolcs Béni just yielded another great paper with Milo Malanga.

Here, we made a photoresponsive β-cyclodextrin branched polymer, where excitation of the Poly-βCD1 with visible blue light results in the generation of nitric oxide.

The negligible cytotoxic action of DOX, used well below the therapeutic doses, alone or in combination with the polymer in the dark, is enhanced in both cell lines under light irradiation exclusively when the drug is combined with Poly-βCD1 as a result of the combined action of NO.

Phototherapeutic β-Cyclodextrin-Branched Polymer Releasing Nitric Oxide with Fluorescent Self-Reporting and Its Combination with Doxorubicin | Biomacromolecules

MSCA DN PhD positions in CanGoNano project

Training Europe’s Next Generation in Glyconanomaterials

CanGoNano is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) bringing together universities, research institutes, and industry partners across Europe to explore a fast-emerging field: glyconanomaterials (GNMs).

The mission is straightforward but ambitious—design nanoscale systems built from carbohydrates that can interact with the immune system in highly specific ways. These systems could reshape how we approach cancer immunotherapy, vaccines, and targeted drug delivery.

Rather than focusing on a single discipline, CanGoNano sits at the crossroads of:

  • Chemistry and materials science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Glycobiology
  • Immunology

This interdisciplinary approach is also reflected in the structure of the programme: multiple doctoral candidates (DCs) working on complementary projects across Europe, each contributing a piece to the bigger picture.

What Are Glyconanomaterials?

Glyconanomaterials are nanostructures that incorporate carbohydrates (sugars) to mimic or influence biological processes. Because sugars play a key role in how cells communicate—especially in immune recognition—they are powerful tools for designing smarter therapeutics.

Applications being explored in CanGoNano include:

  • Targeted delivery of antigens and mRNA
  • Immune system modulation
  • Nanocarriers for precision medicine
  • Next-generation vaccine platforms

Doctoral Positions Across Europe

The CanGoNano network offers multiple PhD positions (Doctoral Candidates, DCs) hosted by leading institutions and companies. Each position focuses on a specific scientific angle while contributing to the shared goal of advancing glyconanomaterials.

Here is a high-level overview of the positions and their locations:

A Closer Look: Cyclodextrins at CarboHyde (DC-4)

Among the positions, DC-4 in Budapest highlights an important class of carbohydrate-based materials: cyclodextrins.

Hosted by CarboHyde, this project explores how cyclodextrins—ring-shaped sugar molecules—can be engineered into nanocarriers.

Their unique structure allows them to:

  • Encapsulate therapeutic molecules
  • Form supramolecular assemblies
  • Be chemically modified for targeting

In the context of CanGoNano, they are being developed into delivery platforms for biologics, including nucleic acids and immune-active compounds.

Training Beyond the Lab

A defining feature of CanGoNano is its training philosophy. Doctoral candidates are not only conducting research—they are part of a structured programme that includes:

  • International secondments across partner institutions
  • Exposure to both academic and industrial environments
  • Training in entrepreneurship, communication, and innovation
  • Collaboration within a tightly connected European network

This ensures graduates are prepared for careers in biotech, pharma, and advanced materials research.

Looking Forward

CanGoNano reflects a broader shift in science: moving from isolated discoveries toward integrated, application-driven research ecosystems.

By combining:

  • cutting-edge nanotechnology
  • the biological specificity of carbohydrates
  • and strong academic–industry collaboration

the project aims to unlock new strategies for treating complex diseases.

And just as importantly, it is building a cohort of researchers equipped to carry those innovations forward.

What can we bring out of cyclodextrin polymers at CarboHyde?

Whatever you want, apparently 🙂

Our long-term collaboration with Salvo Sortino‘s team and Szabolcs Béni just yielded another great paper with Milo Malanga.

Here, we made a photoresponsive β-cyclodextrin branched polymer, where excitation of the Poly-βCD1 with visible blue light results in the generation of nitric oxide.

The negligible cytotoxic action of DOX, used well below the therapeutic doses, alone or in combination with the polymer in the dark, is enhanced in both cell lines under light irradiation exclusively when the drug is combined with Poly-βCD1 as a result of the combined action of NO.

Phototherapeutic β-Cyclodextrin-Branched Polymer Releasing Nitric Oxide with Fluorescent Self-Reporting and Its Combination with Doxorubicin | Biomacromolecules

Cyclodextrins in diabetic wound healing

Using CDs for wound healing has been in the spotlight for a long time, many applications and promising prototypes were developed, yet none reached the market.

This may change with the innovation of Jun Li at National University of Singapore who made a smart multifunctional ROS-responsive supramolecular hydrogel.

The polymer is dynamically crosslinked by inclusion complexes of β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and ferrocene (Fc).

This hydrogel facilitates the on-demand release of interleukin-4 (IL-4) while exhibiting intrinsic antibacterial properties.

The system subsequently reprograms macrophages from the proinflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti‒inflammatory M2 phenotype, thereby addressing immune dysregulation in diabetic wounds.

The composition significantly enhanced wound closure, collagen density, and angiogenesis while reducing proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) and increasing anti‒inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels.

Smart multifunctional ROS-responsive supramolecular hydrogel for simultaneously regulating oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and bacterial infection in diabetic wound healing – ScienceDirect