Fit for the future
What encourages the developments in healthcare in the Rhineland region? Well, for example, there are the activities of the industry association BioRiver and the Deutsche Diabetes-Zentrum
Everything is interrelated.” This is one of the important realisations of Alexander von Humboldt. However, what the universal scholar had no inkling of 200 years ago was with which methods the relations of our existence will be explored in the 21st century. The area of life sciences, which deals in an interdisciplinary way with the structures and behaviours of living organisms, is a prime example for this. And so is biotechnology, which searches for technological means for the development of new medicines, therapies or diagnostic methods
“Our start-up activities create a lively network that motivates young start-ups in particular.”
However, in order to understand how this is all interlinked and in order to develop solutions for the future, either a genial universal scholar is needed or – which is perhaps even better – more players that work together. In the Rhineland region it is the BioRiver association which brings these people together: young and established businesses from the sectors of life-science and biotech. Also universities, academic research bodies, service providers and suppliers have associated themselves with this idea. The association has 105 members. Their aim is to learn from one another and initiate projects together. The work group IT for example deals with the digital topics of the industry, such as the integration of machinery in the laboratory, augmented reality and other IT solutions. During the virtual kick-off meetings, start-ups get together on a regular basis and exchange information. They receive special attention during the competition through BioRiver Boost, which gives awards to the most innovative ideas on a yearly basis – in 2020 one of them was, for example, the start-up Dermanostic (page 34) based in Düsseldorf. “During our kick-off activities a lot of established corporations join on a regular basis. This creates a living network, which is very motivating in particular for young start-ups,” says Dr Frauke Hangen, head of BioRiver. One of the main aims is to make the network of the industry, including all service providers, suppliers and advisors, so attractive, that founders decide to create a base in the Rhineland area and that businesses of any size settle in these ‘hot spots’. In order to promote the joy of innovation amongst the younger businesses even more, the competition BioRiver Boost is planned to be widened to include all of Europe.
Start-up atmosphere with excellent ideas: The competition BioRiver Boost! 2020
The fossil-fuel phase-out and the structural changes associated with it is also a very important topic for BioRiver. “We view it as a great opportunity, to further new technologies and to expand the biomedical competency within the region,” says Hangen. Through a targeted cooperation between biotech- and pharmaceutical companies, start-ups and academic institutions, a new infrastructure could be created. This way, for example, innovative developments with regards to the treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative- or infectious diseases can be accelerated. And this way, patients can profit in a much faster way from new therapies and diagnostic methods. In BioRiver’s opinion it is the high density of expertise in the hospitals, research bodies and the biomedical industry that makes NRW - and in particular the Rhineland region - the ideal location for the expansion of the biotech industry.
“Düsseldorf has an excellent infrastructure for research.”
Therefore, the future looks promising. Even though the pandemic will be keeping us busy for a while longer. Humboldt’s realisation that everything is interconnected rings true with regards to COVID-19, unfortunately: the increase of people suffering with depression and other mental health problems is frequently the result of the pandemic. The influence it has had with regards to other medical problems cannot be underestimated, either. The Deutsche Parkinson Vereinigung for example is warning of a wave of neurodegenerative illnesses, which is coming towards us in the form of long-Covid patients over the coming years. The Deutsche Diabetes-Zentrum (DDZ) / Leibniz-Zentrum für Diabetes-Forschung at the Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf are researching the connection between COVID-19 and diabetes: during a recent study researchers have found out that men suffering from diabetes and a SARS-CoV-2-infection, that are of a higher age, have a higher blood glucose level which requires chronic treatment with insulin and other comorbidities are at a higher risk of suffering more severe COVID-19 symptoms. In order to strengthen the importance of the findings the DDZ is planning to conduct further studies. The conditions of the location in and around Düsseldorf are very good: “There is a great infrastructure through the existing network with the Heinrich-Heine-Universität and the Leibniz-Zentrum for environmental medicine research,” Dr Dan Ziegler, associate director at the Insitut für Klinische Diabetologie at DDZ, says. “This opens up numerous scientific opportunities: from basic research to research with regards to population and treatment.”
“This way, the location Düsseldorf opens up research perspectives for the next decades.”
The DDZ is hoping for more findings relevant to the diabetes research through the networking with the cardiology industry, which takes the form of the new building, called CARDDIAB (Cardiovascular Research in Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders) at the Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf. Moreover, the DDZ , as one of a number of research bodies, is taking part in the NAKO healthcare study, a long-term population study exploring the causes for the development of widespread diseases, for example cancer, infectious illnesses, heart attacks and, of course, diabetes. The aim of this is also to improve the healthcare situation in Germany in the long-term. One of the 18 study centres that are taking part in the county-wide NAKO study is situated at the DDZ in Düsseldorf, Bilk. Dan Ziegler is convinced: “This way, the location Düsseldorf opens up research perspectives for the next decades.” •
about bioriver
The virtual kick-off meetings of the industry association BioRiver are addressing all life-science start-ups in the Rhinland area and they are taking place on a regular basis with varying key topics. Participation is free.
For dates and applications please call 0211 3160610 or email bioriver@bioriver.de
Interview Elena Winter
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