Biotechnology - field of the future

Following the technical revolution of the steam engine in the 19th century and chemistry and semiconductor electronics in the 20th century, bio- and gene technology in addition to information and telecommunication technology (IT) is the key technology of the 21st century.

Biotechnology already represents today a rapidly growing market in all areas of life. Worldwide over 9,631 companies are currently turning over 328 billion in this sector (Ibisworld 2018). In particular in the medical field biotechnology has become essential, e.g. in the fight against cancer and infectious diseases. Currently there are over 250 medicines licenced in German pharmacies manufactured using gene technology (vfa 2018). Vaccines for hepatitis B or influenza, substances to dissolve blood clots in heart attacks, cytokines for the treatment of cancer or interferons for multiple sclerosis, monoclonal antibodies for cancer, osteoporosis, asthma or for transplantation medicine, modified insulin for diabetics as well as tissue regeneration of skin and cartilage are only some examples of genetically manufactured medications and process technologies which have been successfully produced.

Furthermore the manufacture of improved foodstuffs, high quality chemicals, enzymes, washing and cleaning products will make life easier in the future and in particular play an increasing role in research projects with respect to the manufacture of biosynthetic materials and also in the efficient production of energy from sustainable raw materials.

• What is Biotechnology?

  Biotechnology (also a synonym for bioengineering and abbreviated as biotech) is an interdisciplinary science which deals with the use of enzymes, cells and whole organisms in technical application. Aim is the development of new or more efficient processes in the manufacture of wine, insulin, vaccines or bioethanol and the development of diagnostic methods for diabetes, cancer or heart attack. The biotech companies in the BioRegio Regensburg are registered in accordance with the OECD definition.

• What is Life Science?

  People understand the term Life Sciences as a broad field that deals with the processes or structures of living organisms or which living organisms are involved in. Aside from biology it comprises applied fields such as medicine, medical technology, biomedicine, biochemistry, molecular biology, biophysics, bioinformatics or pharmacology. The life science companies in BioRegio Regensburg are working at least in one of these fields.

• What is Interdisciplinary?

  Interdisciplinary means the use of approaches, ways of thinking or at least methods from different fields of study. Several location analyses (see IA-Biotech) identified companies in the region in the fields of mechanical engineering, metal construction, glass production and electrical engineering which have products and developments from the life sciences field.

• What is Healthcare Industry?

  Healthcare is a collective term for all industry branches which have to do with health. The core sector is in-patient and out-patient care as well as care for the elderly and health administration. Based on it the wholesale service and the supplier sectors are grouped togehter with the pharmaceutical industry, bio- and medical technology and trade of medical products. The health-related peripheral areas are fitness, wellness, assisted living and health tourism.

• What is BioPark Regensburg?

  BioPark Regensburg GmbH is a cluster management organization and operates a Technology and Start-up Center on the grounds of the University of Regensburg. This consists currently of three buildings totaling 18,000 m2, including 5.400m2 state-of-the-art laboratories. The BioPark offer single offices to large office-laboratory combinations with a flexible leasehold concept and comprehensive technology and service options. Its direct location at the university campus offers excellent location factors, a direct freeway access and an inhouse daycare center.
  
  The BioRegio Regensburg is defined as a Cluster Region in East Bavaria. It was once again in accordance with Federal Initiatives BioRegio (1996), go-cluster (2006) and European Cluster Excellence Initiative (2011) awarded with the “Silver” label in 2018.