BIO Europe 2025 in Vienna with a strong SAXONY! presence

Under the umbrella of SAXONY!, companies, research institutions and networks demonstrated what characterizes Saxony's life sciences ecosystem: Innovative strength, scientific excellence and entrepreneurial energy. From cell and gene therapy to radiopharmacy and regulatory services - the diversity was impressive. The mixture of start-up spirit and research strength was particularly well received. Voices from the network emphasized the growing international resonance and the importance of joint appearances in order to position Saxony as a dynamic location for biotechnology and MedTech worldwide.

The Saxon joint stand SAXONY! was the point of contact for international experts. In addition to Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH (WFS), the following companies presented themselves:

• leap:up GmbH together with medical:forge Leipzig,
• BioCity Campus & LEVG Leipziger Entwicklungs- und Vermarktungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG,
• SaxoCell Cluster,
• Innovation Region Leipzig ("Leipzig for LifeChangers"),
• nukliD - Radiopharmacy Cluster Dresden,
• BIONCaRT GmbH,
• Meliodays Medical,
• Prosperodes GmbH
• Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH.

Thomas Horn, Managing Director of Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH (WFS), emphasized: "BIO-Europe brings together leading decision-makers from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and financial sectors and is an ideal platform for us to position the Saxon life sciences ecosystem internationally. We use this opportunity to find potential cooperation partners and attract investors as well as to promote networking with other European and international clusters and regions. Together with our partners at the Saxony joint stand, we are demonstrating how innovative and powerful Saxony is as a location in areas such as cell and gene therapy, radiopharmacy and regenerative therapies."

Andre Hofmann, CEO of leap:up GmbH, emphasized: "For us, the main focus in Vienna was on addressing start-ups - both as potential candidates for our accelerator medical:forge Leipzig and for the newly rolled-out program of medical:foundry Leipzig. At the same time, interest in our regulatory affairs services was pleasingly high. The joint Saxon stand was highly frequented throughout - a clear sign of the attractiveness of Saxony as a life sciences location and the excellent cooperation within our network."

Anja Rösler, Head of Medical Technology and Corporate Support at BIO CITY LEIPZIG - leap:up GmbH, added: "Every year, BIO-Europe is an excellent opportunity to expand our international network and initiate new collaborations. The great interest shown by young, innovative companies from all over the world in Saxony, especially the BioCity Campus as a biotechnology location, was particularly pleasing. By working closely with partners such as the IRL and the Saxony Economic Development Corporation, we are able to generate new companies and further strengthen the visibility of the BioCity Campus and the entire region."

Alexander Funkner from the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), Leipzig, and responsible for technology transfer within the framework of SaxoCell: "In numerous discussions with innovative start-ups working with NK cells and mRNA technologies, among other things, potential collaborations were initiated - with the aim of linking these forward-looking projects in Leipzig and Saxony via SaxoCell in the future. The increased presence of Canadian companies, which are increasingly looking for financing opportunities and partnerships in Europe in view of the political uncertainties in the USA, was striking. This development underlines the increasing international competition for funding and highlights the need to strategically position and further develop one's own projects in a targeted manner."

BIO Europe 2025 brought together over 5,900 participants from more than 3,200 companies in over 60 countries. The next BIO Europe will take place in Cologne from November 9 to 11, 2026.