2nd construction phase in BioPark Regensburg commences operation

The BioPark Regensburg GmbH was founded following the BioRegio Competition in 1998 by the City of Regensburg. The first construction phase with 6,000 sq meters of floor space was brought into being for 13.65 million Euro via means of "Hightech-Offensive Zukunft Bayern" (Hightech Offensive for the Future of Bavaria) and by 2001 was already completely booked out. In 2002 planning for the 2nd construction phase commenced, and actual construction followed in April 2004. Despite difficulties with the budget situation, the State of Bavaria, the City of Regensburg and the BioPark Regensburg GmbH succeeded in bringing together finance for the new construction at a cost of 11.5 million €. These efforts are currently being rewarded by lively tenancy enquiries from successful companies expanding in the region. All the high quality laboratory and production areas are already completely and contractually booked in the new building. The floor space leased to biotechnology companies and university institutions has doubled in total to 12,000 sq metres. The success of the centre is due to long-term and far-sighted planning by all involved explains Managing Director Dr. Thomas Diefenthal. With the motto "klein aber fein" ("small but fine") the region is developing with small, intensive steps. External evaluation aids, such as the last Capgemini Study of BioRegio Regensburg, were very helpful in this process (see Press Release No. 48 June 2005).