Biotop-report 2014

For more information:

BERLIN-CHEMIE AG · Glienicker Weg 125 · 12489 Berlin

Phone: +49

 

30

 

6707-0 · www.berlin-chemie.de

Modern research, development and manufacturing 

of innovative medicines in Berlin-Adlershof – this is 

what BERLIN-CHEMIE stands for. Research and 

production are based not only on our experience of 

over one hundred years but also on our successful 

search for new therapeutic pathways and possibili-

ties. The success we have gained around the world 

and the growth of BERLIN-CHEMIE are an endorse-

ment of our high standards.

We – for the life

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18

BioTOPics 47 | May 2014 

BioTOP-Report

 Glycoscience 

Glycoscience

Glyco Research for Innovations in Health Industry

Alongside genome and proteome research, the study of  sugars glycoscience, is increasingly gaining importance. 

As our knowledge about the function of  sugar structures in a variety of  biological processes grows, the areas of  

application for glycoscience are also growing and affecting other fields in the Healthcare Industries cluster such as 

diagnostics, drug development, regenerative medicine and industrial biotechnology. Sugars can develop complex 

structures, glycans, and can be even bound to proteins – in which case they are called glycoproteins. Glycans 

are important for a wide variety of  biological processes. They control cell-cell communication and the function and 

stability of  proteins, and play an important role in the immune response. Carbohydrate metabolism malfunctions 

are typically associated with neurodegenerative diseases, infections and cancer. 

Exploiting high potential for interdisciplinary 

technologies

Glycan structures, as molecules expressed due to illness, can 

be used as significant diagnostic parameters and can serve as 

differentiation markers for regenerative medicine.  Glycan-based 

molecules can also be used as vaccines e.g. for malaria and HIV. 

Glycoscience also contributes to the development of  drugs, in-

novative foods and human-compatible biomaterials. When con-

sidering the diverse application fields of  glycoscience, it is ap-

parent that the capital region occupies an outstanding position. 

Berlin-Brandenburg is a technology leader in the chemical syn-

thesis of  glycans, and in glycan analytics it offers international-

ly significant expertise. We also provide excellent conditions for 

applications in the fields with high cross-innovation potential. The 

region is a leading international location for research and devel-

opment in diagnostics and the implementation of  clinical studies 

and also has highly productive drug and nutrition research. With 

the university hospital Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin globally 

acknowledged medical expertise is also present in the region. 

Establishing a glyco hub in the capital region

Research, whether university-related, independent or clinical, 

forms the outstanding scientific basis of  the region. The Charité 

has been honing its expertise in the fields of  glycoanalytics and 

glycodesign for many years. The director of  the Max Planck In-

stitute of  Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam (MPIKG) and inter-

nationally renowned glycoscientist Professor Peter Seeberger 

discovered and developed the total synthesis of  complex carbo-

hydrates. GlykoUniverse, a spin-off  company, will distribute the 

completely automated carbohydrate synthesizer. There are other 

excellent companies in the region as well. Located in Berlin, Scie-

nion GmbH is distinguished in the field of  glycan microarray tech-

nology for molecular diagnostics. Glycotope GmbH is specialized 

in optimizing sugar structures of  glycoproteins and developing 

therapeutic antibodies for cancer cells. In the wake of  a strong 

growth period in recent years and the acquisition of  €55 million 

in venture capital, Glycotope now has over 180 employees and 

is a world leader in glycobiotechnology. The objective is to turn 

Berlin-Brandenburg into a leading international center for glyco-

science research and translation for the development of  diagnos-

tic and pharmaceutical products, cell-based therapies and new 

materials for medical applications by employing an expansion 

strategy. We will also be working to intensify the technology trans-

fer based on regional networks and stabilize the communication 

between science and industry. 

GlycanForum, the international conference that takes place in Ber-

lin every year, presents the current status and outlook for glycosci-

ence in biomedicine. It is organized with the support of  the Center 

for Molecular Diagnostics and Bioanalysis (ZMDB) and BioTOP 

Berlin-Brandenburg. The most important conference in the world 

with regard to glycoscience, GlycanForum is an outstanding open 

exchange platform for business, industry and users. With a sub-

theme of  "The leading scientists of  Asia," the 7th conference in 

2013 was focused on the topics of  healthcare, material science, 

analytics and synthesis. 

Dr. Véronique Blanchard

Head of  Glycoanalytics working group  

at the Institute of  Laboratory Medicine,  

Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry,  

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

As a location for glycoscience, the capital region is unique in 

Europe. You find the entire spectrum here, from basic research 

to manufacturing industry, which creates the ideal conditions 

for efficiently translating research innovations to industry and 

clinics. At Charité, we are researching the potential of  glycan-

based biomarkers in tumor diagnostics and in bioanalytics for 

the quality assurance of  stem cell preparation, and developing 

a glycan microarray platform for diagnostics. 

With more than 15 years of experience, Portus 

 

Corporate Finance supports technology focused 

 

companies in all areas of financing. We base our work 

on  solid  know-how, years  of experience  and  reliable 

business partners. 

If you are looking  for  advise  and  support  in  the  

areas of

• Company and Project Funding

• Company Succession / M&A

• Finance Management / CFO-Services 

• Consulting and Coaching

• Establishment of Businesses

please don‘t hesitate to contact us!

Corporate Finance Consulting for Life Science Companies

www.PortusCo.com

Portus Corporate Finance GmbH

Friedrichstr. 81

D-10117 Berlin

Tel 

[phone] 900

Fax 

[phone] 901

Email  [e-mail] 

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