Press release - 04/07/2025 Breakthrough in Artificial Blood Production Scientists have been working on the artificial production of blood for several decades. Making a new discovery, researchers from the Institute for Cellular Biology and Immunology Thurgau at the University of Konstanz, in collaboration with Queen Mary University of London, have come an important step closer to this goal.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/breakthrough-artificial-blood-production
Press release - 02/07/2025 Commission launches new strategy to make Europe a global leader in life sciences by 2030 The European Commission has launched a new strategy to make Europe the most attractive place in the world for life sciences by 2030. Life sciences – the study of living systems, from cells to ecosystems – are central to our health, environment and economy. They drive innovation in medicine, food and sustainable production, adding nearly €1.5 trillion in value to the EU economy and supporting 29 million jobs across the Union.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/kommission-verabschiedet-neue-strategie-fuer-eine-fuehrungsrolle-europas-bei-biowissenschaften-bis-2030
Computer tool opens up new ways to address antibiotic resistance - 02/07/2025 PhARIS identifies effective phages against multi-resistant bacteria Bacteriophages - viruses that specifically attack and destroy bacteria - are emerging as promising alternatives to antibiotics in the fight against drug-resistant infections. To speed this effort, researchers have created PhARIS, a computational tool that mines genomic data to pinpoint phages that are effective against S. aureus. By rapidly matching phage and pathogen, PhARIS can accelerate the development of targeted phage therapies.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/pharis-identifies-effective-phages-against-multi-resistant-bacteria
Press release - 12/06/2025 BioNTech Announces Strategic Transaction to Acquire CureVac in Public Exchange Offer Acquisition will strengthen the mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy candidates, marking BioNTech’s milestone in its oncology strategy. Acquisition of CureVac will complement BioNTech’s capabilities and proprietary technologies in mRNA design, delivery formulations, and mRNA manufacturing. All-stock acquisition has potential to create value for both companies’ shareholders given their complementary capabilities, focus on mRNA, and shared vision.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/biontech-announces-strategic-transaction-acquire-curevac-public-exchange-offer
Cell-based solution in place of animal testing - 05/06/2025 Innovative cell-based test to detect pyrogens in drugs Drug safety testing for microbial contaminants and fever-inducing substances (pyrogens) still frequently uses animal experiments. InnoZell, a start-up that will soon be spun off from the University of Konstanz, has developed a compelling alternative: an animal-free, human cell-based assay that is faster, more sensitive and more reliable than traditional methods – and can be customised to meet user-specific needs.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/innovative-cell-based-test-detect-pyrogens-drugs
Press release - 21/05/2025 How aging changes the blood system in humans and mice The reservoir of blood stem cells shrinks with age. It becomes increasingly dominated by stem cells that produce immune cells associated with chronic inflammation. Almost all of the 60-year-olds studied show this change. The new discovery could help explain the chronic inflammation that occurs with age and makes us more susceptible to disease. It could also help identify early warning signs of unhealthy aging processes.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/how-aging-changes-blood-system-humans-and-mice
Press release - 12/05/2025 NMI expertise for new VDI guideline on bioprinting - now available VDI Guideline 5708 “Bioprinting, methods and definitions”: What sounds technical and sober at first glance is an important step forward in the future field of 3D bioprinting. The guideline was developed under Dr. Hanna Hartmann from the NMI in Reutlingen and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Groll from the University Hospital of Würzburg. It creates a binding, practical basis for reproducible and quality-assured bioprinting procedures.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/nmi-expertise-new-vdi-guideline-bioprinting-now-available
Funding PRECISEU Best Practice Recognition 2025 Funding programme, Funded by: PRECISEU co-funded by the EU, sb_search.searchresult.label.programSubmissionDate: 16/05/2025 https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/database/funding/preciseu-best-practice-recognition-2025
Press release - 10/04/2025 In future, the operating theatre will be part of the team The “Digital Integration and Innovation in Surgery” project aims to promote the transfer of new findings and research results into practice. The School of Informatics at Reutlingen University will work together with Furtwangen University, BioMedTech e.V., University Hospital Tübingen and other stakeholders to examine how intelligent digital assistance systems can contribute to improved patient care during surgical procedures. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/future-operating-theatre-will-be-part-team
Press release - 07/04/2025 Interdisciplinary research to provide urgently needed insecticides to combat malaria The Medical Faculty Heidelberg of Heidelberg University and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences are combining their expertise in infectious disease research, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatics to overcome resistance in malaria vectors. The project is supported by funding from the Gates Foundation.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/interdisciplinary-research-provide-urgently-needed-insecticides-combat-malaria
Press release - 28/03/2025 Quality Assurance in the Cell: Preventing Defective Protein Blueprints Two molecular control factors play a decisive role in what is known as splicing, the cutting and assembly of mature messenger RNA – a prerequisite for protein synthesis in the cell. The poorly characterized factors are crucial to ensuring that the molecular machine responsible for splicing is working correctly. A research team has deciphered how the two cellular quality inspectors work.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/quality-assurance-cell-preventing-defective-protein-blueprints
SpecPlate: an innovative multiwell plate - 26/03/2025 Focus on innovative drug development - accurate, time- and cost-saving Drug research is a complex and costly process that requires extensive laboratory analyses and vast quantities of consumables, with disposable sample carriers in particular being used in their millions. PHABIOC GmbH has come up with a solution in the form of the SpecPlate, a ground-breaking alternative to sample carriers that reduces the time taken to perform analyses as well as the quantity of materials consumed. Serial production is underway.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/focus-innovative-drug-development-accurate-time-and-cost-saving
Press release - 24/03/2025 Resistance mechanism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia identified Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have succeeded in identifying a resistance mechanism that often occurs in a specific targeted therapy against chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The drug ibrutinib is effective in many cases, but therapy resistance often develops during the course of treatment. In cell culture experiments and in mice, the resistance mechanism was successfully overcome using a second drug.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/resistance-mechanism-chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia-identified
Press release - 20/03/2025 Start-up prize for "EmbryoNet AI Technologies" Using artificial intelligence to revolutionize drug development is the aim of the start-up "EmbryoNet AI Technologies" led by Konstanz biologist Patrick Müller. Müller and his team have now been awarded the start-up prize by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) for their business concept.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/start-prize-embryonet-ai-technologies
Press release - 19/03/2025 Pocket-sized breath test for stomach bacteria Mini sensor analyses breath for infection with Helicobacter pylori Stomach ulcers, gastritis and even stomach cancer are often the result of an infection with Helicobacter pylori. If the bacterium remains unrecognised for a long time, this can have serious consequences. Researchers have now developed a miniaturisable sensor system for the mobile analysis of breath that is effective, fast and inexpensive. The research team uses a biological survival trick of the stomach germ to detect the bacterium. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/pocket-sized-breath-test-stomach-bacteria-mini-sensor-analyses-breath-infection-helicobacter-pylori
Press release - 17/03/2025 Magnetic microalgae on a mission to become robots Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems developed a single-cell green microalgae coated with magnetic material. This miniature robot was put to the test: would the microalgae with its magnetic coating be able to swim through narrow spaces and, additionally, in a viscous fluid that mimics those found in the human body? Would the tiny robot be able to fight its way through these difficult conditions? https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/magnetic-microalgae-mission-become-robots
Press release - 11/03/2025 Frequent blood donations promote the regeneration of blood cells through genetic adaptation Donating blood saves lives – but what long-term effects does this practice have on our bodies? Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the HI-STEM stem cell institute* and the German Red Cross Blood Donor Service, among others, have now discovered that frequent blood donations cause genetic adaptations in blood stem cells that promote the regeneration of blood cells.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/frequent-blood-donations-promote-regeneration-blood-cells-through-genetic-adaptation
Press release - 10/02/2025 Medical textiles with infection protection In collaboration with Heraeus, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research (DITF) are developing fibers and textiles with a novel infection protection system. The basis is an antimicrobial mechanism of action licensed from Heraeus and marketed under the name AGXX. The goal of the collaboration is to optimally integrate the AGXX technology into textile finishes and coatings and to incorporate it into fiber-spinnable polymers.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/medical-textiles-infection-protection
Press release - 23/01/2025 ERC Funding for „EmbryoNet-AI“ Konstanz biologist Patrick Müller receives a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council for his project "EmbryoNet-AI". Its goal is the further development of an AI-supported platform for the automated evaluation of experiments – for example, in drug development.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/erc-funding-embryonet-ai
Press release - 20/01/2025 New approach to fighting cancer: energy trap for tumor cells Glycolysis is an important sugar degradation pathway that cancer cells in particular depend on. Scientists at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown that liver cancer cells in mice and humans depend on a key enzyme of glycolysis, Aldolase A. When it is switched off, glycolysis reverses from an energy-producing to an energy-consuming process. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/new-approach-fighting-cancer-energy-trap-tumor-cells
Press release - 20/01/2025 PAMSARC: New study at the NCT Heidelberg links research and clinical action Young patients suffering from two aggressive sarcoma types can now participate in the innovative PAMSARC therapy study at the NCT Heidelberg. The study uses molecular biological methods and tests the extent to which a new drug can improve the poor prognosis for these tumours.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/pamsarc-new-study-nct-heidelberg-links-research-and-clinical-action
Press release - 15/01/2025 Similarities discovered between vascular calcification and bone growth University of Tübingen research team observes biochemical process in living cells – indications of new approach to preventing heart attacks and strokes https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/similarities-discovered-between-vascular-calcification-and-bone-growth
Press release - 10/01/2025 MedTech Company KARL STORZ Acquires British AI Specialist Innersight Labs The MedTech company KARL STORZ announces the acquisition of the innovative software manufacturer Innersight Labs Ltd. (ISL) headquartered in London. In addition to state-of-the-art endoscopes, high-end medical devices, and integrated solutions for the operating room, KARL STORZ is also continuing to expand in innovative software solutions. Its large customer base, including top-class physicians worldwide, can now look forward to 3D models.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/medtech-company-karl-storz-acquires-british-ai-specialist-innersight-labs-1
Press release - 19/12/2024 Antibody that neutralizes inhibitory factors involved in nerve regeneration leads to enhanced motor function after acute spinal cord injury Antibodies can improve the rehabilitation of people with acute spinal cord injury. Researchers at 13 clinics in Germany, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Spain have investigated this with promising results. For the first time, it was possible to identify patient groups that displayed a clinically relevant treatment effect. A follow-up study will start in December 2024. https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/press-release/antibody-neutralizes-inhibitory-factors-involved-nerve-regeneration-leads-enhanced-motor-function-after-acute-spinal-cord-injury
UKCA product marking - 18/12/2024 New medical device marking requirements and regulations in Great Britain Since Brexit, additional regulations for medical devices have come into effect in Great Britain, i.e. England, Wales and Scotland. Although the transition periods have been extended, medical device manufacturers should familiarise themselves with the new conformity marking requirements. EU medical device regulations will continue to apply in Northern Ireland.https://www.gesundheitsindustrie-bw.de/en/article/news/new-medical-device-marking-requirements-and-regulations-great-britain