bioRN News and Highlights May 2026

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bioRN News May 2026

Dear *|FNAME|* *|LNAME|*,

May strengthened collaborations within one of Europe’s most powerful life science corridors

Innovation, collaboration and international exchange once again shaped the past weeks across the bioRN ecosystem. Whether at re:publica 2026 in Berlin, the Swiss Biotech Days or during discussions at the German Bundestag, one message became increasingly clear: strong networks and innovation-friendly conditions are essential to transform excellent research into real-world impact.

At re:publica 2026, bioRN joined 21 innovation clusters and research campuses to showcase how research is transformed into application — from breakthrough therapies developed in the region to future-focused initiatives such as XFem Labs. [more]

This exchange continued at the parliamentary breakfast hosted by GSK and bioRN at the German Bundestag, where representatives from politics, science and industry discussed how Germany can remain a competitive research and innovation hub. Faster approval processes, modern study infrastructures and reliable framework conditions emerged as key priorities. [more]

At the Swiss Biotech Days 2026, bioRN highlighted the international visibility and connectivity of the Rhine-Neckar life science ecosystem. Numerous discussions and new contacts once again demonstrated the importance of strong European and global partnerships.

Scientific exchange also remained central to our community activities. At the latest bioRN Lounge, Dr. Alba Diz-Muñoz from EMBL explored how mechanical forces and cellular structures influence cell behavior, tissue formation and disease progression — opening new perspectives for cancer research and immunotherapy. Read more

The joint information session on the StudiumPLUS trainee program together with Mannheim University of Applied Sciences was met with great interest and very positive feedback. Companies interested in joining the program or learning more about the cooperation model are warmly invited to get in touch with us.

We are already looking forward to seeing many of you again soon!

Meet bioRN in June 2026

1) 11 June at 12 pm @Business Development Center Heidelberg: Presentation of the German Biotechnology Report, Register here
2) 23 June at 6 pm @Klinker Café Heidelberg: C-Level Circle hosted by Novaliq, Register here (For C-level executives only. Registrations will be reviewed by bioRN)
3) 30 June, 6pm @Urban Kitchen Heidelberg: bioRN Lounge with Dr. Dave Madge, VP Discovery Services at WuXi AppTec on .>> Developing New Platforms and Workflows to Support Diversity in Drug Modalities. Register here

Don´t miss further news from the network at the bioRN website.
Find out about new bioRN events here and get the latest news about funding and growth opportunities at
03 | Opportunities.

We wish you a happy and sunny June.

Kind regards,

Stephanie Füller
PR Manager
bioRN Life Science Cluster

01 | Research Highlights & News

New Nature Publication by Akribion Therapeutics GmbH: RNA-triggered cell killing with CRISPR–Cas12a2 [more]

ariadne.ai SPATIAL Platform Enables Discovery of Novel Microglial Subpopulation in Human Alzheimer’s Disease Brain [more]

DKFZ:

The Plasticity of Malignant Brain Tumors as a Potential Therapeutic Approach: Sibylle Assmus Prize for Neuro-Oncology Awarded to Moritz Mall [more]
Leukemia stem cells cause treatments to fail – Findings open new avenues to overcome resistance [more]
What Really Helps People Quit Smoking [more]
Hella Bühler Prize Awarded to DKFZ Researcher Angelika Feldmann [more]

EMBL:

Providing a cellular ‘all-clear’ signal to resume protein synthesis [more]
Scientists uncover thousands of new proteins in ‘dark proteome’ [more]

Lonza Announces Results of the 2026 Annual General Meeting – All Motions Proposed by Board of Directors Approved [more]

ProtaGene Announces Strategic Partnership with the Life Science business of Merck to Expand Comprehensive Biologics Testing Solutions [more]

UKHD:

Professor Dr. Hanns-Peter Knaebel has been appointed Director of Medicine at the Heidelberg and Mannheim University Hospitals Network [more]
Unlocking the Lung’s Ability to Heal [more]

Universität Heidelberg:

Universität Heidelberg Successful with Application for Collaborative Research Centre [more]
HI-TAC: Karina Yaniv Appointed as New Scientific Director [more]
A single swab is sufficient: Study paves the way for simplified tuberculosis diagnosis [more]

VectorBuilder:

VectorBuilder Secures European Patent for MiniVec™, a Plasmid Backbone Advancing Safety and Manufacturability in Genetic Medicine [more]
Nobel-Potential Discovery from VectorBuilder Scientists Reveals Fundamental Mechanisms of Development [more]

New Publication by Yumab: Novel bispecific T-cell engagers overcoming acquired EGFR resistance [more]

02 | New Members

More information about the new members and other bioRN members can be found here.

Adva Bio is an Israeli biotech company developing automated, decentralized manufacturing technologies for advanced cell therapies. Its AI-driven, closed end-to-end platforms simplify and accelerate cell therapy production while reducing reliance on large cleanrooms. The company’s modular ADVA X3® Manufacturing System supports complex workflows such as genetic modification, cell selection, and expansion for therapies including CAR-T, TCR, NK, and TIL cell therapies.

InfraSolution AG is a group of companies specializing in technical building equipment and infrastructure solutions for industrial and commercial customers. Its services include planning, automation, energy optimization, custom switch cabinet production, and 24/7 technical support. The company also develops automated robotic systems for quality assurance of HEPA/ULPA filters used in cleanroom applications.

KLIFO A/S provides strategic drug development consultancy and full-service Clinical Trial Supply for pharma and biotech companies. With decades of experience, the company supports successful development programs through expert planning, packaging, labeling, storage, and distribution to ensure smooth and efficient clinical trials.

Revier Therapeutics is a Heidelberg-based university spin-off developing first-in-class small-molecule therapies for cardiometabolic diseases. Incubated at BioLabs Heidelberg, the company combines drug discovery with tailored diagnostics to advance precision medicine and accelerate the translation of innovative therapies from research to the clinic.

Umlaut.bio GmbH is a pioneering biotech company focused on developing first-in-biology therapeutic molecules to modify tRNA and target cancers and inflammatory diseases. The company focuses on small molecules that inhibit key steps in tRNA modification to prevent the overactivation of signaling pathways linked to uncontrolled cancer growth and autoimmune disorders.

03 | Opportunities

In this section we provide selected information on funding calls and events. On our website in the section startup support you will find a calendar with more Open Calls, Pitches, Knowledge Transfer and Closings.

Open Calls:

Förderrichtlinie „Geschlechtersensible Krebsforschung“– Nationale Dekade gegen Krebs Deadline:30 June [more]

Pitches & Prices

Life Science Investors´Day Heidelberg, 24 September: Stage for short pitches and direct conversations with investors - Deadline 30 June [more]
Bio-Gründer Wettbewerb - Deadline 30 June [more]
Der Deutsche Arbeitsschutzpreis 2027 - Deadline 30 June [more]

Internationalisation:

The 30th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Association for Molecular Target Therapy of Cancer (JAMTTC), 30 June - 2 July [more]

Other:

EPO: Intellectual property rights for deep tech businesses - 25-26 June, online [more].
SPRIND und Bundesministerium für Digitales und Staatsmodernisierung: Gib dem Staat dein Feedback! [more]

Closings:

Lauxera Capital Partners Raises €520 million Fund II to Scale a New Generation of European Healthtech Leaders [more]

04 | Event Spotlights

05 | Event Calendar & Discounts

Webinar: Surfactant Strategies for Biopharmaceutical Stability and Performance
Available on Demand - Online >>

SaxoCell Conference 2026
June 02-03, 2026 - Dresden, Germany >>
20 % discount for members.

bio:cap europe 2026
June 02-03, 2026 - Berlin, Germany >>
60 % Discount on Tickets

Knowledge for Growth 2026
June 03-04, 2026 - Antwerp, Belgium >>

Presentation of the German Biotechnology Report 2026
June 11, 2026 - Heidelberg, BDC >>

C-Level-Circle hosted by Novaliq
June 23, 2026 - Heidelberg, Klinker Café >>

HLTH Europe 2026
June 15-18, 2026 - Amsterdam, Netherlands >>
Ticket Discount for Members!

qPCR-Workshop: Richtige Anwendung für mehr Routine im Laboralltag
June 23-24, 2026 - Walldorf, Germany >>
15 % Discount for Members!

BioRN Lounge: Developing New Platforms and Workflows to Support Diversity in Drug Modalities
June 30, 2026 - Heidelberg, Urban Kitchen >>

BayOConnect 2026
June 30 - July 01, 2026 - Munich, Germany >>
15 % Discount for Members!

Nordic Life Science Days 2026
September 08-09, 2036 - Stockholm, Sweden >>
Participate @ German Pavilion
Registration deadline: June 03, 2026

Translationaler Protein-Biomarker-Workshop
September 17-18, 2036 - Reutlingen, Germany >>

BIOSPAIN 2026
September 29-Oct.1, 2036 - Bilbao, Spain >>
10 % Discount for Members

Festival of Biologics 2026
October 13-15, 2026 - Basel, Switzerland >>
20 % Discount for Members!

Bio-Europe 2026
November 09-11, 2026 - Köln, Germany >>
12% Discount for Members!

BioFIT and MedFIT 2026
December 10-11, 2026 - Marseille, France >>
20 % Discount for Members!

Curious 2027 comes to HEIDELBERG
July 06-07, 2027 >>
20 % Discount for Members!
Early Bird Tickets until July 07, 2026.

06 | Open Positions

Fundess GmbH:

Scientific Consultant (Junior) Forschung & Life Sciences Fördermittel (m/w/d) [more]

PROGEN:

Auftragssachbearbeiter (m/w/d) - Vollzeit, Heidelberg, Deutschland [more]
Junior Product Manager (m/w/d) - Full time, Heidelberg, Deutschland [more]

VectorBuilder:

Territory Manager, DACH Region (Frankfurt) [more]

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