251 286 - Biotech Bayern

Especially biotechnology has to rely on innovation-friendly
framework conditions, for example when it comes to tax
regulations governing equity capital, and as regards the
Genetic Engineering Act or the German Medicines Act.
What is now needed to enable the Bavarian biotechnology
region to really get going are committed investors who
recognise the great potential of existing companies as well
as promising start-up businesses, and contribute their
capital along with their knowledge. The limitation imposed
on forward carried losses and the absence of attractive tax
legislation for VC funds in Germany is the wrong signal to
The Bavarian hightech cluster Biotechnology connects
the well developed biotech regions Munich-Martinsried and
Regensburg with the growing locations in Würzburg,
Erlangen, Bayreuth and Straubing.
All of these locations have developed their own core competencies
and have thus established different profiles.
Location characteristics and their companies' profiles will
be found within this brochure. Facts and figures for the year
2007 of the well established commercial biotechnology
scene in Bavaria are being provided on the next pages.
Within the Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster four cutting
edge areas will be the main focus in the near future:
technology scouting
establishing a network of clinical study centers
establishing a science-business network
industrial (“white”) biotechnology.
Within the area of white biotechnology, a major success has
already been achieved by recently securing governmental
funding of 5 Mio Euro. This has lead to the establishment of
a particular white biotechnology network organisation within
the Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster, enabling various specific
potential investors. The distortions resulting from the
Corporate Tax Reform Act 2008 should be corrected as soon
as possible.
The Bavarian State Government will continue its commitment
to biotechnology and at the same time work towards
improving the framework conditions for technology oriented
companies. Our goal will always be the permanent
establishment of Bavaria as a leading biotechnology location
in Europe.
Emilia Müller
Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure,
Transport and Technology
projects in collaboration with industrial network partners.
The next step is to focus on the three remaining goals, a
task which will certainly keep us busy for a while.
The figures for the year 2007 reveal that the Bavarian biotechnology
industry has shown an impressive robustness
despite some severe set-backs caused by the misfortunes of
a couple of companies. And even the decrease of staff numbers
in some Bavarian pharma companies could easily be
compensated by an increasing demand of skilled employees
in the small and medium sized Biotech companies.
This in itself is marvellous news!
In addition, the number of Biotech companies settling
impressive “big deals” is still growing and, in 2008, more
products will be finally approved, maintaining Bavaria's drug
pipeline as number one in Germany. Therefore, although
one should always be cautious, I am absolutely confident
that the seeds of the past years will soon bear rich fruits in
the Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster.
Prof. Dr. Horst Domdey
Managing Director, Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster
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