Am 21. and 22. April 2026 the German and European biotechnology industrycame to the fore. biotechnology industry came together in Leipzig. Around 900participants from science, industry, politics, administration and media used the German Biotech Days to discuss the latest developments in research and application as well as the political and economic framework conditions in the industry at the Congress Centre at Leipzig Zoo. The event was organised by the biotechnology industry association BIO Deutschland e.V. and the working group of the BioRregions. The regional host was the biosaxony e.V., the central network for biotechnology and life sciences in the Free State of Saxony, together with its partner region InfectoGnostics Jena Research Campus.
At the start of the conference, high-ranking representatives provided key impetus, including Dorothee Bär, Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space, Roland Sackers, Chairman of the DBT organiser BIO Deutschland, and Dr. Oliver Uecke, Board of Directors of biosaxony e. V. Er highlighted in particularSaxony's development into an efficient biotechnology and innovation centre. The opening plenary was complemented by Clemens Schülke, Mayor and Councillor for Economic Affairs of the City of Leipzig. Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs Dirk Panter emphasised the importance of the industry for Saxony at the start of the second daywith the the continuation of the ibiotechnology offensivelaunched in 2000as a central element of the Biotechnology Initiative.offensive as a central element of the Free State's innovation strategy. "Biotechnology is a driver of innovation, growth and employment in Saxony. With the targeted promotion of infrastructure, research and start-ups, we have created an environment that attracts talent and has international appeal. The successes of the past 25 years are an incentive to continue on this path together", said Panter.
The host region presented itself with highlights from the industry and research sector. Both in the Conference programmeas well as among the exhibitorsn were the company Lipotype GmbH, Primogene GmbH, ESTER Biotech GmbH, Qualitype GmbH, pluriSelect Life Science UG & Co. KG, c-LEcta GmbH, GENEWIZ Germany GmbH and World Courier (Deutschland) GmbH represented. In addition, the research and transfer facilities Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology (FEP), the University of Leipzig and the TU Dresden as well as other centralstakeholders in Saxony. Actors of the Saxonhen Life Science-innovation ecosystem: biosaxony e.V., the precision therapy cluster SaxoCell, the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI), the Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS), the city of Leipzig and the leap:up GmbH - united under the vision of umbrella "Leipzig for LifeChangers". Together, they conveyed a clear image:Saxony stands for networked innovation, short distances between research and application and growing international appeal. The presentation made it clear how closely business, science and location development work together and how this results in a powerful ecosystem that produces solutions for the medicine of tomorrow.
Dthe evening event of the DBT directed biosaxony with around 700 guests at the Leipzig Cultural Centre, Moritzbastei, from. In addition to enm technicalnexchangewith discussions on mRNA- and cell therapies, sustainable bioprocesses and questions of financing and scaling, the focus was also on celebrating and networkingtogether. This was supported bys evening event from BIO Germany, c-LEcta GmbH, Johnson & Johnson, KPMG, Lipotype GmbH, OFB Projektentwicklung GmbH, the City of Leipzig and the WFS.
Leipzig made tangible as an innovation hub
A highlight of the German Biotech Days 2026 was the Innovation Tour on 22 April. April, which offered insights into the Leipzig life sciences ecosystem. The focus was on the BioCity campus as a central location for biomedical research and start-ups. Visits included the Fraunhofer IZI and dthe BellaSeno GmbH. Also the Pacifico Biolabs GmbH and the Innovation Centre for Computer-Assisted Surgery (ICCAS) presenttied itself. Companies such as c-LEcta GmbH highlighted the international scaling of biotechnological innovations from Leipzig. Support structures such as the Start-up-Accelerator medical:forge Leipzig also showed how research is specifically transferred into applications. The tour highlighted the close links between science, entrepreneurship and clinical practice and ended with a networking eveningand on the roof terrace of c-LEctawith a view of Leipzig.
Dr. Oliver Uecke, chairman of the board of the Saxon biotech industry association biosaxony e.V. said: "Leipzig and Saxony stand for a dynamic, innovative biotech and life sciences ecosystem. The fact that the German BiotechDays (DBT) this year, ten years later, will once againtake placein Leipzig, underlines the strengthof theSaxon biotech and life sciencesindustryin Leipzig. and life-sciences sector. It is basedon a closely interlinked interplay between research and industry - supported by excellent scientific institutions such as the University of Excellence TU Dresden, the University of Leipzig, Fraunhofer and Max Planck Institutes, efficient infrastructures such as BIO CITY Leipzig and a growing number of successful spin-offs, about Seamless Therapeutics from the TU Dresden.Therapeuticsbiosaxony is developing these location factors in a targeted manner together with numerous partners and with the strong support of the political players in Saxony, embedded in strategic initiatives, above all the biotech offensive of the Free State of Saxony."
The leap:up GmbH, the life science ecosystem developer of the biosaxony e. V., supported the operational implementation of the German Biotech Days on site. Its Managing Director André Hofmann explained: "Leipzig and Saxony haben presented itself as an efficient hostat this year's DBTwith short distances, a high density of relevant players and an environment that specifically promotes dialogue between science, business and politics. It was particularly clear how important personal encounters and direct networking are for the further development of innovations. This is precisely where formats such as the DBT come in, by facilitating cooperation, providing new impetus and accelerating the transfer of research into application.“
WFS Managing Director Thomas Horn: "By organising the German Biotechnology Days in Leipzig, Saxony has sent out a clear signal: The Free State wants to further expand its role as a dynamic biotech and life sciences location both nationally and internationally. We have excellent prerequisites for this with the complete value chain at the location, a high level of innovation in the ecosystem and the synergies from cross-industry collaboration. The WFS will continue to actively support the players with its cross-domain industry work and help with internationalisation through our formats and events."
The German Biotech Days 2026 thus became not only an industry platform, but also a stage for a location that is confidently positioning itself as the leading life sciences hub in Europe. The combination of excellent research, innovativen companies and targeted network promotion impressively demonstrated the region's potential for the future of life sciences in Germany and beyond .
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About biosaxony e. V. and leap:up GmbH:
The biosaxony e. V. is the industry association of Saxony's biotechnology, medical technology and healthcare sector and networks companies, research institutions and other players in the life sciences ecosystem. Its aim is to initiate collaborations, promote innovation and transfer scientific findings into application. The leap:up GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of biosaxonyand operates as a life science andScience-enablerat the interface of science, business and healthcare, business and healthcare. It supports founders and companies with transfer formats, infrastructure, network access and operational implementation to transform scientific findings into marketable innovations and strengthen regional value creation. biosaxony and leap:up are thus jointly contributing to the development of Saxony's life science ecosystem. In addition to biotechnological innovations, applications are increasingly emerging in medical technology, networked healthcare and green chemistry. This development is supported by investments in modern infrastructure, such as the expansion of the BioCity campus, as well as the close integration of research, industry and transfer structures.
About BIO Deutschland e.V.:
BIO Deutschland e. V. is an independent biotechnology organisation. The organisation represents the interests of its members at national, European and global level. Biotechnology transfers biology into industrial applications. It has already shown widely visible benefits in medicine, for example. Innovative bio-based economic systems can enable Germany and Europe to achieve sovereignty and prosperity in the long term. The association's network is interdisciplinary and unique. The members research, develop, produce and market globally. BIO Deutschland is a strong community. It focuses on diversity, openness and equal opportunities and is committed to the free democratic basic order. Roland Sackers is Chairman of the Board of BIO Deutschland.
