LIFE SCIENCES! - Sector Structure

At a Glance - Life Sciences in Saxony

Saxony has invested one billion euros and twenty years into developing the region into a very special and, above all, an exceptionally dynamic life sciences location. More than 300 commercial enterprises and 30 research institutions with about 200 work groups and 15,500 employees from 40 countries are working on innovative solutions for human health here today.

The hotbed for Saxony’s life sciences branch is the pharmaceutical industry. What began with August Lingner and the mouthwash “ODOL” in the late 19th century became known as the Sächsisches Serumwerk Dresden vaccine factory later. Today, the company is a corporate site of GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and produces influenza vaccines for the global market. Saxony’s medical technology is also steeped in tradition and accounts for about 70 % of the life sciences branch in the region.

Today, Saxony is also considered to be a national center of excellence for cell and gene therapies as well as regenerative medicine. And Saxony’s cancer research has gained international renown and repute, too – when it comes to both early diagnosis and innovative treatments. Thanks to the traditionally strong branch expertise in Saxony which is also available in the sectors micro and nano electronics, sensor technology, 5G mobile communication as well as 3D printing technology, Saxony’s life sciences branch develops growing competences for applications in the smart medical sector. Whether it be in the fields of telemedicine, point-of-care diagnostics, computer-assisted surgery, or health care robots – interdisciplinary knowledge is an important success factor for the entire branch.