bioRN Life Science Week 2024

Highlighting the strengths in translational research, entrepreneurship and personalised medicine.

From October 8^th– 10^th the Life Science region Rhine-Neckar was a magnet for scientists, industry representatives and investors, who experienced excellent research from the region, promising innovations in the field of personalised medicine and pitches from startups in the biotech, medtech and digital health sectors. Starting with the premiere of the Industry-Academia-Day, an exclusive event for bioRN pharma partners on October 8^th, the bioRN Annual Conference welcomed 500 registered attendees to its highlight event of the year under the topic ‘New Therapeutic Modalities in Personalised Medicine’. The Life Science Week ended with a Life Science Investors’ Day, which more than fulfilled the expectations of the 90 investors who came from all over Europe.

Heidelberg, October 14^th: The bioRN Life Science Week 2024, held from October 8^th -10th in Heidelberg, showcased the Rhine-Neckar region’s dynamic life science ecosystem, focusing on driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting investment in cutting-edge research. The event, which featured three key gatherings—Industry-Academia-Day, the bioRN Annual Conference, and Life Science Investors’ Day—highlighted the region’s strengths in translational research, entrepreneurship, and personalised medicine.

October 8^th  at Marsilius Arkaden Heidelberg: Industry-Academia-Day

The week commenced with Industry-Academia-Day, where eight principal investigators from local research institutions presented their pioneering projects in neuroscience and immunology. Tailored specifically for bioRN’s pharmaceutical partners, including GSK, BI, Lilly, AbbVie, Roche, and Johnson & Johnson, this event provided a platform for direct interaction between researchers and industry leaders. Around 40 participants, including some joining from the USA, engaged in one-on-one discussions with the PIs. The event facilitated early-stage collaboration, accelerating the translation of academic innovations into potential therapeutic solutions.

October 9^th at Heidelberg Congress Center: BioRN Annual Conference – “New Therapeutic Modalities in Personalised Medicine”

The bioRN Annual Conference, held at the Heidelberg Congress Center, attracted 500 registerd attendees and 32 exhibitors. Focusing on breakthroughs in personalised medicine, the conference underscored the region’s leadership in developing innovative therapeutic modalities, such as radiotherapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and molecular precision diagnostics. Keynote speeches by experts like Andreas Pahl, CEO at Heidelberg Pharma and Martina Benešová-Schäfer, Junior Group Leader Radiotheranostics at DKFZ highlighted advancements in cancer treatments using Amanitin-based ADCs and targeted radionuclide therapies, respectively. These sessions emphasized the integration of cutting-edge technologies and molecular diagnostics to enhance personalized healthcare strategies​.

October 10^th at Business Development Center Heidelberg: Life Science Investors’ Day Heidelberg

Concluding the week, the Life Science Investors’ Day Heidelberg provided an opportunity for 24 European startups in medtech, biotech, and digital health to present their innovations to around 90 international investors. The venue is a joint project by bioRN, Life Science Accelerator Baden-Württemberg, Biolabs Heidelberg and Heidelberg Startup Partners, supported by its partners High Tech Gründerfond and Biopro Baden-Württemberg.

From the 120 applications – around 30 are originated in the bioRN ecosystem –  24 startups were selected to pitch their innovation towards the audience of investors.  The event saw a 30% increase in both startup applications and investor registrations, underscoring growing interest in the region’s life science sector.

Underlining the strength of the life science ecosystem Rhine-Neckar

“The Life Science Week 2024 has further proven the position of the Rhine-Neckar region as a top innovation hub for life sciences. Not only that we were able to present excellent research that is taking place in the region. We have also shown that breakthrough innovations from the region are already reaching patients”, says Gitte Neubauer, chair of the bioRN board.

“BioRN and its partners continued efforts to create a collaborative environment and to encourage investment into startups. This will undoubtedly help in further shaping the future of the German Biotechnology sector. The Life Science Week is an important platform and a must be for each life science enthusiast in Europe”, says Julia Schaft, Managing Director at bioRN.

About bioRN

BioRN is the science and industry innovation cluster in the Rhine-Neckar region around Heidelberg, one of Germany’s strongest biotech and life science hubs. It is a non-profit network fostering health innovations and serving its members by creating a rich translational ecosystem as well as promoting, representing and connecting the regional innovation stakeholders. BioRN has around 150 institutional members, including the top academic and research institutions, ten global pharmaceutical companies, a large range of small and medium-sized enterprises bolstering the life science ecosystem as well as local government organizations and interest groups. BioRN develops strategies and concepts to strengthen innovation and translation and to create startup friendly framework conditions. Being a leading life science cluster in Europe, bioRN aims to attract global investment and talent to the region. BioRN is also founding partner of Biolabs in Heidelberg, a leading shared laboratory space for biotech and life science start-ups, part of the global BioLabs network.

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