Network News

New innovation platform with significant involvement from Heidelberg University is one of Europe’s most important start-up centers In its first year of existence, the NXTGN Startup Factory has already become one of Europe’s most important start-up centers. As an innovation platform, the strategic alliance of Baden-Württemberg universities and private-sector partners, with significant participation from Heidelberg […]

New study shows benefits in all stages of dementia New findings indicate that a shingles vaccination could not only reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, but also have a positive effect on the course of the disease in patients who are already ill. Scientists from Heidelberg University’s Medical Faculty, the University of Mainz, […]

Chemotherapy is often a central component of treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. However, not every therapy is equally effective for every patient. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the HI-STEM* stem cell institute, and the biotech company Xilis in Utrecht, Netherlands, have now developed a new method for selecting the most effective drug […]

A severe side effect of radiation therapy can be debilitating fibrotic skin damage. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now identified a key factor in the development of this radiation damage. Modulating this factor could potentially prevent this severe adverse effect. Radiation therapy is one of the most important “pillars” of cancer […]

In a recently published scientific study, researchers have succeeded in accurately diagnosing common types of brain tumors in children and adolescents based on tumor-derived genetic material in cerebrospinal fluid. Until now, these so-called liquid biopsies were not capable enough for such reliable diagnostics. The international research team, involving the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg (MFHD) at […]

Heidelberg, Germany, 17 February 2026 ­- BioMed X, a leading innovation hub for pharma headquartered in Heidelberg, hosted the first XFem Labs Pitch & Connect event on February 13th in Heidelberg, marking the official launch of XFem Labs, its new Women’s Health R&D Accelerator established with support from the Gates Foundation. The purpose of this initiative is to build a world-class women’s health […]

One week after life – the biomedical convention 2026, one thing is clear: the conference once again showed how powerful connected ecosystems are in driving biomedical innovation. Around 500 participants from academia, startups, industry, investment and policy – mainly from the bioRN network, but with a growing number of attendees from beyond the region – […]

Smoking significantly increases the risk of depression. An evaluation of the NAKO study shows dose-dependent effects and proves that quitting smoking can improve mental health in the long term. A research group led by the Central Institute of Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim has confirmed for the first time within the German National Cohort (NAKO) […]

The National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in China has approved the OncoMate® Microsatellite Instability (MSI) Detection Kit as a Class III in vitro diagnostic device in China. It is intended as a companion diagnostic to identify patients with MSI-high (MSI-H) solid tumors for treatment with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), the anti-PD-1 therapy from Merck & Co., Inc., […]