Press release
Strengthening of the life sciences activities in Northern Germany
Kiel, Hamburg, March 5th, 2008. To develop innovative drugs more efficiently is the goal of the consortium NEU² (new-square), which consists of the Kiel based Bionamics GmbH (Project leadership and contest applicant) the University Hospital of Hamburg, the Evotec AG, the European ScreeningPort GmbH and the German pharma corporation Merck KGaA.
The highly experienced partners have developed a concept to significantly accelerate the development of new drugs for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis. The combination of excellent drug discovery and development know-how of Germany, from basic research to clinical trials, to cover the complete value chain from research to development and commercialisation is the intention of NEU². This contribution is not only crucial for the improvement of the production of urgently needed drugs, but also a strengthening of the bio-pharmaceutical activities in Germany.
Dr. Timm-H. Jessen, spokesman of the consortia emphasises the importance of the BMBF decision: “We will bridge the gap between Academia and Pharma industry. We are pleased with the independent confirmation of our business concept and look forward to working together with our partners”. Dr. Bernd Kirschbaum R&D Executive of Merck Serono, adds: ”BioPharma for us, is an interesting approach to innovative research in networking with academy, biotech and other pharmaceutical companies. We are happy, that our consortium NEU² with an approach out of our core business has made it through the first round of this contest”.
For Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein the success is a further confirmation of its life science clusters policy. The founding of the European ScreeningPort GmbH and the high degree of networking in the region, has supported the setup of the consortium NEU² with the assistance of the North German Life Science Agency Norgenta. “The fact that Merck has chosen strategic partners from Northern Germany shows how well progressed the cluster development in our region is”, so Dr. Kathrin Adlkofer, Managing Director of Norgenta.
About the BioPharma Strategy Contest
"BioPharma – The Strategy Contest for Medicine of the Future," the new competition-based funding scheme (€100 Mio.) of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, calls upon business consortiums to submit sustainable, long-term concepts for the improvement of the biopharmaceutical value chain. The intent is to identify biopharmaceutical research with commercial relevant results and to improve and accelerate its development into clinical application. The contest promotes not only the promising science but also the creative, trendsetting and productive partnerships.
For more information…
Contact:
bionamics GmbH
Wissenschaftszentrum
Fraunhoferstrasse 13
D-24118 Kiel
Germany
T:+49 (0) 431-800 978 0
F:+49 (0) 431-800 978 20
info@bionamics.de