Heading for a bright biotech future: Biotech business made in Hannover

- BIOTECHNICA 2015: Where technology meets investors
- Keynote themes: “personalized medicine technology” and “bioeconomy”
- Synergies: Premiere of the new LABVOLUTION trade fair

Even a year ahead of BIOTECHNICA 2015, preparations for Europe’s No. 1 meeting place for biotechnology, the life sciences and lab technology are already in full swing. The next BIOTECHNICA will be staged from 6 to 8 October 2015 and feature two special marketplaces dedicated to the topics of “bioeconomy” and “personalized medicine technologies”. Another major emphasis at BIOTECHNICA is on helping the biotech industry get down to business, with tailored matchmaking offerings designed to maximize the number of promising leads and partnerships generated at the show. “When it comes to successful networking, Hannover offers all the right formats for the scientific and R&D communities as well as providers of biotech goods and services,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, member of the Managing Board at Deutsche Messe. “This makes BIOTECHNICA stand out as Europe’s best business and knowledge-sharing platform.” BIOTECHNICA’s impact will also be enhanced when Deutsche Messe launches its brand new LABVOLUTION laboratory technology trade fair in 2015, at the same time and place.

“Biotechnology is one of the most exciting technologies of our time,” said Köckler. “It will put us on track for a sustainable economy beyond fossil raw materials.” Just a few weeks ago, in connection with the German government’s high-tech strategy the decision was reached to devote several billion euros to support the rapid market deployment of scientific discoveries. In this context, the bioeconomy was highlighted as a particular focus, and biotechnology as a key technology. BIOTECHNICA 2015 holds a mirror to today’s cutting-edge solutions and demonstrates the innovative power in play in science and industrial applications. Here is how BIOTECHNICA stands out from the would-be competition: It is the only trade show addressing the entire biotech value chain end to end, i.e. from basic research on through to market-ready products.

“The German biotech sector is strong and has grown into an industry with huge growth potential,” said Peter Heinrich, Chairman of the Board of the BIO Deutschland association, who added: “It is a leader in many areas, despite ongoing difficulties with sourcing R&D funds and government policies with room for improvement. As an innovative sector, biotechnology naturally also needs strong national showcases with a big impact. This makes BIOTECHNICA a key event where all the major players can exhibit and connect in an international setting.” This applies to research and industry equally, as both leverage BIOTECHNICA as a community meeting place and a business platform.  Leading universities and research institutes thus take part in BIOTECHNICA alongside biotech companies. Partnering tools that create successful business matches before the fair begins provide valuable support with lead generation, and numerous special events offer plenty of scope for knowledge-sharing and networking. These include the INNOVATION FORUM highlighting new products, the Life Science Spotlight with scientific presentations on key topics from the life science industry, as well as other flanking conferences. The BIOTECHNICA Opening Ceremony on the evening before the trade fair, with its 400 participants from government, the biotech industry and science, is not the least of these opportunities where guests can enjoy productive discussions around the sector’s most important topics. Next year the 11th EUROPEAN BIOTECHNICA AWARD will be awarded at this event. This award goes to a European company that has successfully brought a “disruptive technology” from the biotech or life sciences field to market.

The show’s two featured marketplaces facilitate highly targeted knowledge transfer. At the Bioeconomy Marketplace, biotech experts for manufacturing and food industry applications address the challenges involved in leveraging biotech resources for production processes and for promoting the efficient and sustainable use of biomass. The latest trends in the chemical, polymer and food industries are also covered. The second dedicated marketplace focusses on personalized medicine technology, with the keynote theme of “Companion Diagnostics”.

The parallel staging of the new LABVOLUTION trade fair next year will offer lots of added value and promote crossover visitors. As the flagship trade fair for northern Europe, LABVOLUTION will embrace the entire spectrum of laboratory technology for the all-important chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics and materials development sectors, as well as for materials testing, cosmetics, medical technology, environmental engineering and nutrition. LABVOLUTION will thus give a major boost to the coverage given to laboratory technology for biotechnology and the life sciences. The new show will be held right alongside BIOTECHNICA. Since admission covers entry to both shows, visitors can enjoy an even more enriching tradeshow experience without added expense.

BIOTECHNICA 2015 gives start-ups the opportunity to take part in the “Young Innovative Companies” pavilion supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). A comprehensive offer for students, recent graduates, doctoral students and young and experienced professionals can be found on jobvector career day. From networking to presentations at the forum, and including the Jobwall with its concrete job offers, plenty of assistance is at hand to look for an entry-level job or new professional challenges.

BIOTECHNICA has strong partners on board once again for the coming year. These include, along with BIO Deutschland, the diagnostics industry association and the Life Science Research group (VDGH + LSR) as well as the association of pharmaceutical research companies vfa + vfa bio.

BIOTECHNICA + LABVOLUTION 2015

For the first time ever, in 2015 BIOTECHNICA and LABVOLUTION are being staged side by side at the Hannover Exhibition Center, from 6 to 8 October. The 21st BIOTECHNICA is well established as Europe’s No. 1 meeting place for biotechnology, the life sciences and lab technology. It covers the entire biotech value chain – from basic research on through to market-ready products. With its Bioeconomy and Personalized Medicine Technologies marketplaces, it showcases the sector’s most significant trends. LABVOLUTION – the World of Laboratory Technology – is premiering in 2015. The new fair spotlights laboratory technology also as used in other fields besides biotechnology and the life sciences. LABVOLUTION hosts the key chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, materials development and materials testing, cosmetics, medical technology, environmental engineering and nutrition sectors. A single ticket price covers admission to both exhibitions.