Biotop-report 2012

11

BioTOPics 44 | May 2012 

 Industry 

BioTOP-Report 

Following this general trend over Euro 40 million were invested 

in regional companies in 2011. That is half the amount of the 

previous year. However, capital requirements were not so high 

since companies had acquired sufficient funding in 2010. So a 

higher result is expected again in the future. IBB Beteiligungsge-

sellschaft (IBB Bet) stands out as the region’s highest investor, 

with funding for companies such as Caprotec, OctreoPharm Sci-

ences, Humedics and NDI. The newly founded Charité Biomedical 

Fund, which is managed by Peppermint Venture Partners, made 

its first investment in 2011 by funding Humedics. 

In addition to private investment, public funds are provided by 

the federal states for fixed-asset investment and new product 

developments worth Euro 42 million. The leverage effect gener-

ated a further Euro 45 million in private investment. The federal 

government and the EU provide additional double-figure million 

Euro funding. Public-sector institutions consequently remain ex-

tremely important partners for many small businesses. 

The good overall result nevertheless continues to be marked by 

limited finances on the capital market. Many companies have 

detached themselves from the capital market due to the lean 

period that has lasted for years, and have adapted their business 

models to make them as independent as possible. So it is all the 

more encouraging that the subject of venture capital funding has 

once again become an important policy agenda, with the aim of 

removing key hindrances and improving framework conditions. 

In this context, one positive sign is that High-Tech Gründerfonds 

(HTGF), the leading investor in innovative start-ups, has created a 

new fund worth more than Euro 280 million, thereby continuing 

to be one of the few investors that play a strong, consolidating 

role in the start-up sector. However, HTGF cannot finance the full 

potential for new company start-ups and can only provide se-

lective investment due to high demand. That means that not all 

start-up concepts are implemented or only on a low level. New 

instruments and the return of established VC corporations are 

therefore urgently required. The many public investors, such as 

HTGF, KFW, with its ERP-Startfonds, and IBB Bet on a regional 

level, provide advance funding, but cannot meet the demand for 

finance future funding rounds on their own. 

Ute Mercker

Vice President/Head of Life Science 

IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH

IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft and its funds have been invest-

ing in innovative biotech and medicine start-ups in Berlin for 

15 years now. The German capital stands out due to its large 

range of universities, academies and research facilities. This 

creates tremendous potential for innovative start-ups, and 

our investment strategy aims to develop them into thriving 

companies. We invested in Noxxon Pharma AG, Jerini AG and 

Scienion AG shortly after their spin-off from the university. In 

the meantime, they have established their products success-

fully on the market. In 2011 we successfully invested in four 

other start-up companies. Octreopharm Science GmbH and 

Humedics GmbH will use the invested capital to implement 

clinical trials. Due to our regional focus, we can support our 

companies flexibly and swiftly with our extensive experience 

during the start-up phase. 

Vilma Siodla

COO and CSO

co.don AG

co.don AG has been based in Teltow since 1993. The deci-

sion for this location was a good one because Teltow offers 

a perfect environment for our company. The many universi-

ties in the region ensure that we find many qualified profes-

sionals here along with a modern infrastructure. The State of 

Brandenburg supports us with its funding programmes. For 

example, Brandenburger Investitionsbank approved fund-

ing in the amount of 2.5 million Euros for regenerative joint 

therapy in September 2010, of which 75% were provided by 

the European Regional Development Fund (EFDF) and 25% 

from budget funds of the State of Brandenburg. co.don AG 

used these funds in part to commission a clinical study for 

scientific evaluation of the already tried and tested use of cell 

transplants in joint defect therapy.

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12

BioTOPics 44 | May 2012 

BioTOP-Report

 Industry 

Excellent Services for the Business Location 

Berlin-Brandenburg

Due to its high concentration of science and research establish-

ments, the region offers outstanding potential for technological 

development and cooperation. The joint Life Sciences Team from 

the Berlin Partner business development agency and the Bran-

denburg Economic Development Board ZAB supports the life sci-

ence industry with a full range of services, including marketing 

activities at national and international exhibitions. 

In addition, the Life Science Screening Package Berlin-Branden-

burg tends to the needs of major companies in the biotech sector. 

This program supports companies who seek business partners, 

networks, service providers and research institutions. 

The German Capital Region at BIO-Europe Spring 2012 in Amsterdam.

Berlin-Brandenburg stands out in the life sciences because each 

health industry segment is present here: The high concentration 

of international excellence facilitates interdisciplinary exchange 

and makes it easier to achieve new landmark developments. At 

the same time, the sheer number of players can make it difficult 

to find the right partner. Our staff and colleagues at BioTOP have 

been in direct contact with the region’s companies and scientific 

institutions for many years and can provide quick access to the 

right contacts and potential partners. 

In 2011, the Berlin Partner Life Sciences Team supported expan-

sion projects and provided location services to 17 companies in 

the capital city, including B. Braun Melsungen AG which started a 

second expansion at its site in Berlin. More than 1000 new jobs 

will be created in the next three years with these projects.

In the field of life sciences, ZAB supported more than 70 invest-

ment and innovation projects in Brandenburg and was able to 

assist health industry companies like Laserneedle GmbH, a medi-

cal tech business, in moving to the region in 2011. In addition, 

GETEMED AG expanded at its site. Pentracor and Immunservice 

GmbH were further examples of how R&D projects are success-

fully implemented in Brandenburg.

Contacts:

Carolin Clement

Head of Business Unit Life Sciences

Berlin Partner GmbH

Phone: [phone] 

[e-mail]

www.berlin-partner.de

Dr. Ute Hartmann

Head of Department Healthcare Industry/ Life Sciences

Brandenburg Economic Development Board

Phone: [phone] 

[e-mail]

www.zab-brandenburg.de

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