|
|
 |
Client Portfolio Expanded
Client Portfolio Expanded In 2009, Ascenion signed partnership agreements with two further institutes from the Leibniz Association: the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam Bornim (ATB) and the German Rheumatism Research Center Berlin (DRFZ). Altogether, Ascenion now supports 15 research institutes in the Helmholtz and Leibniz Associations, together with the Hanover Medical School and the research institute Twincore. Ascenion’s clients now have a total scientific staff of over 4,000 and a cumulative annual budget of about EUR 650million, including third-party funding.
With its unique combination of basic science and engineering expertise, the ATB is a leading innovator in the fields of agricultural production, (bio-) energy and the quality and safety of food and feed. ATB scientists and engineers significantly contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms and develop ingenious solutions for improving the environmental compatibility, efficiency and sustainability of relevant processes. Most recent examples include a new energy-saving technology for drying crops or a highly efficient process for the production of biogas. The ATB’s infrastructure not only comprises dedicated chemical, microbiological and biotechnological laboratories but also test beds, experimental facilities and pilot plants. ‘Most projects are therefore pretty advanced,’ Peter Ruile, COO of Ascenion, comments. ‘This provides a fertile ground for technology transfer. We look very much forward to working with the ATB and extending our IP portfolio into the socially relevant field of environmental sciences.’ Ascenion will focus its support on life and environmental sciences. The patent agency Brainshell will continue to serve the ATB in the area of engineering. ‘We believe that technology transfer in both fields – life and environmental sciences as well as engineering – will benefit from the particular expertise each partner brings in,’ Jürgen Wilda of the ATB comments. ‘With its dedicated experience and its profound understanding of corresponding markets, Ascenion will help us further improve the quality of IP valuation, protection and commercialization in the life and environmental sciences sector.’
The DRFZ is internationally renowned for excellence in rheumatology research, with a particular focus on immunology and epidemiology. In Germany alone, rheumatic diseases affect about 1.5 million people – not only the elderly, but also younger people and even children. In collaboration with haematologists and rheumatologists of the Charité, DRFZ researchers have elucidated some of the key biochemical and immunological mechanisms involved in the development of the disease. ‘Our vision is to employ the body’s own strategies in order to restore the patients’ immune systems and ultimately cure rheumatic diseases,’ Prof. Dr Andreas Radbruch, Scientific Director of the DRFZ comments. ‘By teaming up with Ascenion, we hope to further improve the translation of our findings into medical application. Various new concepts for cell-based therapies are currently being explored. ‘Excellent science is the nucleus of innovation,’ Peter Ruile, COO of Ascenion comments. ‘Results from the DRFZ will significantly shape how we treat rheumatic diseases on a long-term basis, and we are excited to support that process.’ Moreover, the DRFZ already has a strong track record in technology transfer, with successful spin-offs such as BioRetis and Miltenyi and a range of projects having entered explorative clinical studies. |
Meet us at the forthcoming events: Biotech-NetWorkshop, 24-26 February 2010, Schloss Ringberg (Tegernsee), Germany News in Brief:
Ascenion acquires shares in BITZ
Isabell Schwenkert joined the Hanover team in September 2009 as technology scout. Together with her colleague Ralf Cordes, she will work with scientists from the Hanover Medical School (MHH).more
Munich: |
