Progress is the best medicine: Minister Dulig visits companies and institutes in the healthcare industry

With almost 350,000 employees - that's 16.9 per cent of all people in employment in Saxony - the healthcare sector is one of the largest economic sectors in the state. Economics and Labour Minister Martin Dulig is dedicating his first theme day of the year to this strategically important growth driver today. The programme highlights its innovation and future potential for Saxony as a high-tech location. Mr Dulig will visit five companies and research institutions in Dresden, Leipzig and Markkleeberg that are developing advanced medical technology using 3D processes, artificial intelligence, robotics and 6G.

In 2020, the healthcare industry in Saxony achieved a gross value added of around 13.9 billion euros. The sector thus generated 12.1 per cent of the state's total gross value added. Its average growth between 2011 and 2020 was 3.7 per cent. The figure for the economy as a whole was 2.9 per cent.

In the »Life Sciences«-cluster alone, which links biotechnology, medical technology and pharmacy, around 15,500 employees generate an annual turnover of around 1.9 billion euros. Among these, medical technology (10,400 employees, turnover of 1.2 billion euros) occupies a prominent position.

»The dynamism, innovative strength and high level of employment in the healthcare industry are of great importance for Saxony's economic development,

emphasised Minister Dulig. »Digitalisation is driving innovation. This means that even faster, more precise medical technology from Saxony is reaching the domestic and international market. My discussions with exhibitors and potential customers at the Arab Health trade fair in Dubai have recently shown that Saxony has a first-class position in the life sciences and that our export opportunities are great," said Martin Dulig.

As an up-and-coming biotechnology and life sciences location, Saxony is attractive for science, research and companies. Dulig continued: "The Saxon biotechnology offensive launched at the turn of the millennium has made the Free State one of the most dynamic regions in Germany in this field. To date, Saxony has invested around one billion euros in the development of the life sciences cluster.«

The approximately 300 biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical technology companies cooperate successfully with more than 30 research institutions. The focus is on the fields of regenerative medicine/therapy/diagnostics, molecular bioengineering, bioinformatics, nano-biotechnology and pharmacogenetics. Just recently, 15 Saxon companies, including two of the companies selected for today's theme day, presented their latest technologies and innovations at the »Arab Health« in Dubai, one of the world's largest and most important medical technology trade fairs.

The ministerial tour starts at Schubert und Braun Prothesenwerk GmbH in Dresden. The company uses digital technologies to manufacture deceptively realistic-looking and customised prostheses. The Dresden specialists are the first in the world to have succeeded in processing special medical silicones at high temperatures in a 3D printer. This enables them to produce high-quality prostheses without major material losses using the additive-generative process, i.e. layer by layer. The artificial limbs produced in this way are up to 40 per cent lighter than conventional prostheses. In 2023, the company presented itself at the »Arab Health« trade fair in Dubai.

Lipzig-based Sonovum GmbH, the second stop of the day and also an exhibitor at Arab Health 2023, develops medical products with a high proportion of artificial intelligence. They are used for non-invasive monitoring of the brain, particularly in the acute care sector. Non-invasive« refers to examinations and treatments in which no tissue is damaged and the necessary instruments are not inserted into the body. The engineers have modified the ultrasound technology so that brain tissue can be examined in real time and without intervention. The company was also an exhibitor at Arab Health.

Afterwards, Martin Dulig visited Tediro GmbH in Leipzig. The company develops a mobile robotics platform for various applications in the healthcare sector, especially in therapy, diagnostics and rehabilitation. »Tediro« – the autonomous therapy and diagnostic robot – supports patients after operations on the lower extremities during gait training on forearm supports. The innovative company was awarded third prize in the 2021 German Entrepreneurs' Award, which is open for applications until 8 March this year.

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI in Leipzig, the Minister learns about quality testing and the production of clinical trials in accordance with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines. The institute is represented in the consortium of the future cluster »SaxoCell«. The network, founded by the TU Dresden, the University of Leipzig and the Fraunhofer IZI, is developing novel, personalised gene and cell therapeutics. SaxoCell aims to bring together the fields of gene and cell therapy, artificial intelligence and automation from science and industry and establish a unique value chain in Saxony.

In the afternoon, Minister of State Martin Dulig and Petra Köpping, Minister of State for Social Affairs and Social Cohesion, will take part in the opening event of the 6G Health Institute (6GHI) in Markkleeberg. The 6GHI develops new innovative medical products using 6G wireless technology. A high-performance cluster is to be created in the Leipzig area, which will enable other relevant industrial companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to settle here.

»The development of networked medical products, taking into account the latest mobile phone technologies, offers enormous potential for innovation and growth for the Leipzig region and for Saxony as a whole. As Europe's leading ICT cluster, the Free State has the necessary prerequisites to be able to compete globally in this future market of digital medical technology," said Dulig.

A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed between the 6GHI and Telefónica Germany to mark the opening. This joint initiative is a step towards co-operation to accelerate the further development of network technologies at the interfaces between healthcare and medical technology and thus meet the global demand for innovative solutions in this segment. The federal government is supporting the 6G Health Institute with around six million euros as part of the »Funding Directive to Strengthen the Dynamics of Transformation and New Beginnings in the Coalfields and at Coal-Fired Power Plant Sites« (»STARK«).

Press release from the Saxon State Chancellery dated 2 March 2023