Biotop-report 2014

8

BioTOPics 47 | May 2014 

BioTOP-Report

 Biotechnology 

ProBioGen is an internationally operating technology provid-

er and contract development and manufacturing organization 

(CDMO) with almost 20 years of  experience in cell culture, pro-

cess development and GMP manufacturing. A competent and 

reliable CDMO partner, ProBioGen offers customized solutions 

for even the most challenging development and manufacturing 

requirements. ProBioGen has signed its latest GlymaxX

®

 ADCC 

technology deal with a top-10 pharmaceuticals company for a 

therapeutic antibody platform.

Investment in the Region

In recent months, these companies have acquired financing of  

almost €100 million. Glycotope GmbH has led the field with a 

new financing round of  €55 million. Investors have supplied the 

company with €130 million in the past few years. One of  the larg-

est in Europe, the latest round of  financing has attracted inter-

national attention. It will be exciting to see how Glycotope’s fu-

ture develops. The listed companies have also obtained a new 

infusion of  money. Mologen and Epigenomics have been able to 

financially safeguard their next steps with new capital increases, 

for example. High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and IBB Beteiligu-

ngsgesellschaft, one of  the most active venture capital financiers 

in Germany, were among the most responsive financiers in the 

early-stage area again in 2013. Subsidies from the states of  Ber-

lin and Brandenburg, which contributed project-related funding 

volumes of  42 Mio. Euro to life sciences companies alone, supple-

mented private funding. Investment helps not only the companies 

involved, but is also relevant for the development of  the overall 

biotechnology region, generating useful growth effects above and 

beyond its benefits to individual companies. 

Conclusion

The Berlin-Brandenburg biotechnology region has enjoyed a con-

stant growth trend for years. The companies in the sector have 

again proven their competitiveness in 2013/2014. After many years 

of  developing products and conducting the studies required by 

the certifying authorities, the near future will show whether the 

investments have paid off. Most of  the biopharmaceutical com-

panies are doing so well that is safe to be optimistic, although the 

risk remains high. The region’s pool of  highly specialized service 

providers is only one of  the factors upon which this excellent eco-

nomic development is based. The companies in the sector grow 

organically and are typically less dependent on external investors. 

They important sector delivers constant, sustainable growth for 

the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

Relatively strong fluctuation is typical of  the still-young biotech-

nology sector. Established companies go and new ones come to 

take their place. The high number of  start-ups, which ultimately 

compensate for failed business ventures, is another reason for 

optimism. To ensure the successful development of  these young 

companies, private investors must actively participate in ear-

ly-stage financing again. 

Dr. Karen Uhlmann  

COO/Co-CEO Omeicos Therapeutics GmbH

Dr. Robert Fischer  

CSO/Co-CEO Omeicos Therapeutics GmbH

OMEICOS Therapeutics is working on a new drug for the treatment of  atrial fibrillation, and would like to implement the clinical devel-

opment by the end of  2016. The demand for a new atrial fibrillation treatment is high – and with it, its commercial potential. All of  the 

medicines available now to the majority of  patients have a limited effect, and some of  them go hand in hand with highly problematic 

side effects. Working with their partners at the Texas Southwestern Medical Center, scientists at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular 

Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch have identified a metabolism product of  the Omega 3 fatty acid with an anti-arrhythmic effect. Based on 

this product, they have synthesized drug candidate OMT-33. The fact that the active ingredient can be further developed for commer-

cial use as part of  a start-up is due to the very good general conditions existing before the company was even established. OMEICOS 

received its initial financial support from the MDC PreGO-Bio funds and Helmholtz Enterprise, the spin-off  support project of  the 

Helmholtz Association. The company received seed financing through a High-Tech Gründerfonds participation and ProFIt funding 

from the state of  Berlin, which is co-funded with capital from the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE). With its BioTech 

Park, Campus Berlin-Buch provides the ideal framework conditions and an outstanding infrastructure for our product development 

phase. Of  course the direct proximity to MDC is essential to our success. OMEICOS and MDC will continue to work in close partner-

ship. And our cooperation with the Campus' BBB Management GmbH also makes the location very attractive for us. 

---

vfa bio represents the biotech interests within the German Association of 

Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa). vfa campaigns for the 

interests of 45 worldwide leading pharmaceutical companies in the fields 

of health, research and economy.

vfa bio seeks to exploit the therapeutic and economic potential of bio-

technology to make Germany the leading biotech location in Europe.

Medical biotechnology is vfa bio’s topic. We primarily deal with:

 

▪ Medical progress provided by biopharmaceuticals - 

benefit for patients, physicians and society as a whole

 

▪ Access to biopharmaceuticals for patients

 

▪ Business location Germany and regulatory and economic framework 

for research, development and production of biopharmaceutical

 

▪ Biosimilars

 

▪ Orphan medicinal products (medicines for rare diseases)

 

▪ Advanced therapies such as gene and cell therapy and tissue 

engineering products

Bild: 

©

 vfa

 / Mar

tin 

Joppen

---