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We are very excited to welcome another German ecosystem to our network: the BioRegio STERN Management GmbH Ecosystem based in Stuttgart, Germany. Read this interview with Dr. Margot Jehle, Project Management & International Affairs at BioRegio STERN Management GmbH.
Who are the key stakeholders?
At the heart of the BioRegio STERN Management GmbH cluster, there are 120 medtech companies, with more than 12,000 employees, and 110 biotech companies, employing over 4,500 staff. The more than 1,000 engineering companies – around 40 of which are already active in the life sciences – are increasingly important. All in all, some 19,000 jobs have been created in Baden-Württemberg region’s life sciences sector. The STERN BioRegion has just under 400 members: the majority of which are SMEs (55%). large companies (3%), universities and research institutes (18%) and other organisations (24%) are also represented.
What are the main objectives of your ecosystem?
BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is committed to supporting efforts to market application-oriented research in order to turn innovative products and new therapies into part of people’s everyday lives – while, of course, also focusing on the economic potential, which ultimately leads to the creation of new jobs. For this reason, BioRegio STERN Management GmbH drives forward the establishment of new start-ups and collaborations, offers support when it comes to financing and soliciting funding, and organises events such as special coaching on product approval and specialist functions. We also submit applications for research projects, which we then coordinate.
Why did you join the ECHAlliance Network of Ecosystems?
The STERN BioRegion is already transnationally cross-linked with more than 30 European organisations, such as business support organisations, clusters, universities, biobanks, research networks, etc. This exchange helps regional SMEs to get new ideas / knowledge and work with cooperation partners / service providers outside the BioRegion STERN to develop or bring to market new innovative solutions and products.
In addition, there are numerous service providers and research institutions (e.g. Fraunhofer Institutes) that would like to collaborate with companies outside the region. A broader reach fosters regional stakeholders exploit new potentials and enter profitable markets. BioRegio STERN is always intending to promote innovation and open up new ways for trend-setting collaborations For this reason STERN is acquiring funding for internationalisation in order to support the companies in the region’s network and to tackle upcoming challenges which will affect new topics and technologies, such as the water or food sector in relation to healthcare (e.g. recycling of wastewater and expired food products, removal of contamination from water and food cycles, prevention of antimicrobial resist).
For this, the BioRegio STERN is looking for strong international partners who pursue comparable strategies to promote the European healthcare market, biotechnology and medical technology industry.
Who is missing from your ecosystem in terms of stakeholders?
Due to numerous regulations (MDR, IVDR, GDPR, etc.) and political misguided decisions (failed expansion of infrastructure for high-speed Internet, closure of hospitals in rural areas, shortage of doctors, nurses), there is a particular need for digital data (hospitals, nursing homes, physicians in private practice) to develop new data-based solutions for the healthcare location. Similarly, the region lacks access to LivingLabs for the development of user-centric products, whether in care or rehab.
The topics of digitalisation, sustainability and genetic engineering solutions (e.g. food) are also underrepresented and could be complemented by approaches from other regions.
Which ecosystems are you looking to collaborate with?
Recently, Scandinavian countries in particular have been prominent with innovative solutions for healthcare. Sharing best practices in managing patient data, accessing LivingLabs, collaborating with hospitals, nursing homes and other social institutions would be valuable in bringing new approaches to the region. Collaborations with Scandinavian ecosystems would be valuable for BioRegio STERN, but we are generally open for collaborations with other ecosystems complementing the needs and challenges of our ecosystem.
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