Biotop-report 2013

23

BioTOPics 46 | September 2013 

BioTOP-Report

 Industrial Biotechnology  

comprehensive and interdisciplinary concepts for sustainable 

products.

Innovation centre in the Lausitz

In Berlin-Brandenburg, attention focuses increasingly on the top-

ic of biopolymers. The “Innovationszentrum Bioplastics Lausitz” 

(innovation centre) in southern Brandenburg is emerging as a 

growth driver for biopolymers, in particular as regards their pro-

cessing. The logistic advantages of the BASF location and the 

expertise of the “Competence Centre for Bioplastics Processing” 

which was set up in April 2013 as a branch of the Fraunhofer 

Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) in Schwarzheide cre-

ate an optimal environment for the location of more biopolymer 

manufacturing and processing companies  in the region. From 

material selection, through process technology, to product devel-

opment – the region supports the plastics processing industry in 

the introduction of biopolymers and bio-based plastics. 

As an important source of inspiration for the innovation centre, 

the innovation forum “Biopolymers and Bio-based Plastics” was 

organised by BioTOP Berlin-Brandenburg, Kunststoffverbund 

Berlin Brandenburg e.V., BASF Schwarzheide GmbH and the 

Fraunhofer IAP in late 2012/early 2013. Some 200 experts from 

the region and beyond met in three thematic workshops and a 

closing conference. The opportunities and challenges in the use 

of biopolymers and bio-based plastics were discussed intense-

ly and new concepts for knowledge-based development of the 

Lausitz as a centre for bio-based plastics were presented.

 

More information is available at:  www.bioplastics-lausitz.de.  

Fraunhofer IBMT · Branch Potsdam

The Potsdam branch of the Fraunhofer Insti-

tute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT focus-

es on the development of highly innovative 

solutions based on modern biotechnology. 

The range of research activities and services 

is characterised by extensive expertise in 

the fields of cellular biotechnology, nanobio-

technology, meta-biobanking, functional 

surfaces, molecular bioanalytics, lab auto-

mation, cell-free protein synthesis and 

extremophile research on cryophilic snow 

algae. A major focus is currently placed on 

the development of systems and technolo-

gies for medical in vitro-diagnostics (ivD). 

Both highly motivated scientists from differ-

ent disciplines and excellently trained engi-

neers pool their expertise at the IBMT and, 

together with state-of-the-art-equipment, 

provide the basis for understanding the 

partner’s needs and successful projects. 

We would be glad to be your reliable partner 

in research and development - don’t hesitate 

to contact us!

Address

Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical 

Engineering IBMT

Branch Potsdam

Am Mühlenberg 13

14476 Potsdam-Golm · Germany

Phone [phone]

Fax 

[phone]

Contact

Prof. Dr. Frank F. Bier

[e-mail]

www.ibmt.fraunhofer.de

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Biopeople 

Denmark’s Innovation Network for Health & Life Sciences

Innovation across disciplines

To stimulate innovation we create meeting places that bring researchers and indus-

try stakeholders together across disciplines, sectors and public-private boundaries. 

Our aim is to benefi t global health and welfare by providing a framework that helps 

academia and industry to meet, co-create and develop ideas into new projects, 

products and services. Among our core services are matchmaking and knowledge

sharing activities, as well as facilitation and brokerage of innovation projects.

Denmark’s Innovation Network for Health & Life Sciences

Biopeople embraces and gathers the vast majority of public and private research 

within health and life science in Denmark. The network includes all relevant Danish 

universities, research institutions and hospitals plus the Danish Health and Medi-

cines Authority. On the private side, industry associations contribute their resources, 

and we have numerous pharma, medtech, food and biotech companies as members 

of Biopeople. 

Collaboration across boarders

Biopeople is part of the Danish infrastructure for innovation established and co-

funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. We have an 

International outreach that helps Danish companies and researchers to establish 

cross border collaborations and vice versa. We also welcome German companies 

within life science to join the network.

“To stimulate innovation we create meeting places 

that bring researchers and industry stakeholders to-

gether across disciplines”

For more information please contact

Science Liaison Offi  cer 

Elias Zafi rakos, MSc CE, EBA 

[e-mail]

Universitetsparken 2

2100 Copenhagen O

DENMARK

Or visit us at 

www.biopeople.dk

BioPeople_Article Berlin.indd   1

27.08.13   14:58

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25

BioTOPics 46 | September 2013 

BioTOP-Report

Global Business

New Markets and Horizons for Global Business

The Bioregion Berlin-Brandenburg promoted the theme of internationalisation in 2012 with a wide range of 

activities and events. The Dialog Forum on Life Sciences in Brussels, the first European Technology Forum on 

in vitro-Diagnostics, joint events with the French, British and Canadian embassies and a major survey on the 

international activities and strategies of regional companies underscore the importance of internationalisation 

in the healthcare industries cluster – HealthCapital.

The Region Presents Itself in Excellent 

Shape in Brussels

In May 2012, the so far largest and most international Dialog 

Forum with the European Commission was held in the state rep-

resentation offices of Berlin and Brandenburg in Brussels. Rep-

resentatives of science and industry from Berlin-Brandenburg 

presented their latest projects and innovations to an audience 

of more than 100 in a plenary and three workshops. They also 

received feedback from Commission representatives on funding 

options in the HEALTH segment of the EU Seventh Framework 

Programme for Research and gained important insights into the 

new focus of European research funding under Horizon 2020. 

The evening reception provided an ideal platform for networking 

and exchange about future project ideas among all participants 

and, above all, with representatives from seven other European 

regions.

In addition, information about the funding options for non-health 

related biotechnology research and development was obtained in 

the joint workshop on “Knowledge Based Bioeconomy” with the 

German National Life Sciences Contact Unit in September 2012.

The First IVD Conference and European 

Corporate Partnering in Berlin

In June 2012, experts in the fields of in-vitro diagnostics and bio-

analytics met for the 4th Berlin-Brandenburg Technology Forum 

at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. The event focussed on 

personalised medicine and next generation sequencing. Foreign 

companies had also been invited for the first time to meet part-

ners in this field at the event. Some 170 participants from 11 

countries came to the Charité to hear lectures by experts from 

science and industry. About 46% of the audience represented 

companies, while 13% of all participants came from abroad.

A partnering session for companies and research facilities was 

therefore organised in parallel with the conference in coopera-

tion with the Enterprise Europe Network. In addition, 20 compa-

nies and institutions from 11 countries exhibited their products, 

services and technologies in an industry show. The largest and 

most international Technology Forum to date also featured an ex-

tensive accompanying programme comprising an early evening 

reception, guided tours of prestigious research institutes and a 

sightseeing programme.

Partner of Choice for Embassies

The German-French Expert Workshop organised jointly with the 

French Embassy took place in November 2012. Some 136 regis-

tered participants attended talks on “Systems Biology: From Mod-

elling to Therapy of Complex Diseases”. The aim of the event was 

to present the current state of research, the funding programmes 

currently available as well as projects in the field of systems biol-

Biopeople 

Denmark’s Innovation Network for Health & Life Sciences

Innovation across disciplines

To stimulate innovation we create meeting places that bring researchers and indus-

try stakeholders together across disciplines, sectors and public-private boundaries. 

Our aim is to benefi t global health and welfare by providing a framework that helps 

academia and industry to meet, co-create and develop ideas into new projects, 

products and services. Among our core services are matchmaking and knowledge

sharing activities, as well as facilitation and brokerage of innovation projects.

Denmark’s Innovation Network for Health & Life Sciences

Biopeople embraces and gathers the vast majority of public and private research 

within health and life science in Denmark. The network includes all relevant Danish 

universities, research institutions and hospitals plus the Danish Health and Medi-

cines Authority. On the private side, industry associations contribute their resources, 

and we have numerous pharma, medtech, food and biotech companies as members 

of Biopeople. 

Collaboration across boarders

Biopeople is part of the Danish infrastructure for innovation established and co-

funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. We have an 

International outreach that helps Danish companies and researchers to establish 

cross border collaborations and vice versa. We also welcome German companies 

within life science to join the network.

“To stimulate innovation we create meeting places 

that bring researchers and industry stakeholders to-

gether across disciplines”

For more information please contact

Science Liaison Offi  cer 

Elias Zafi rakos, MSc CE, EBA 

[e-mail]

Universitetsparken 2

2100 Copenhagen O

DENMARK

Or visit us at 

www.biopeople.dk

BioPeople_Article Berlin.indd   1

27.08.13   14:58

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