Current BioPark Financial Report 2019
The number of biotechnology companies (core Biotech definition according to CapGemini Consulting) has remained the same in comparison to the previous year at 32. Also the number of biotech employees is essentially unchanged at 1,197. In the field of the life sciences (medical engineering, analytics, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals) the number of companies rose in comparison to the previous year to 26 (+ 3). The total number of employees remained essentially at an unchanged level at the cutoff date 31.12.2019 at 3,991 compared to the previous year with 3,980 employees (+ 0,3 %) (see graph 1). The total number of companies in the Regensburg Bioregion rose to 58 (+ 3) (see graph 2). The utilized leasehold capacity at the BioPark was at latest count at a total of 98.5 %. Currently the Technology and Startup Center accommodates in its three buildings on a gross area of 18,000 m2 34 leaseholders with a total of 616 employees. These include startup companies, university and external university institutions, companies from Germany and abroad as well as service providers and even its own childcare facility.
Graph 1
“In the last year we have been able to provide consulting to new startups at the BioPark”, commented CEO Dr. Thomas Diefenthal on this development. However the number of employees remained essentially constant as in the process of restructuring of several companies this also led to a decrease in personnel. On the whole though Diefenthal sees positive development. “Established companies who are already selling products on the market are constantly growing at the Regensburg location and also many innovative startup ideas are in the pipeline and will soon move into their premises at the BioPark”.
In 2019 BioPark Regensburg celebrated its 20-year anniversary. At this time 661 million Euro was invested in the development of the life sciences, of this 154 million Euro venture capital, 326 million Euro equity capital and 180 million Euro in funding, 42 million Euro of this alone into the three BioPark buildings. With funding from the State of Bavaria, the City of Regensburg, the German Federation and the European Union as well as equity monies the three companies were able to build directly on the University Campus. BioPark I went into action in 2001, BioPark II in 2006 and BioPark III in 2011. With an average utilized leasehold capacity of over 90% the BioPark can be operated independently despite subsidized rents and is a good example of sustainable promotional policy.
Also the newest project at BioPark Regensburg holds growth potential. At the beginning of 2017 the new brand “Healthcare Regensburg” was started up with the support of the State of Bavaria to initially be able to fulfill the wish of all stakeholders for a common visibility at the healthcare location. At the end of 2018 the masterplan was produced from which also came the initial recommendations for action and project suggestions for the further development of the healthcare industry at the Regensburg location and in the region. An analysis of the cluster in 2019 demonstrated that since the last count in 2011 in the region the number of employees in the healthcare industry has risen by 26%. Currently there are 20,401 employees active in the Regensburg region. With 10,955 employees almost half of these work in the 5 clinics in the city and surrounding district.
Graph 2