Partners—News
January 21, 2026
The iL team is at the "life" conference
On February 4, 2026, the bioRN Life Science Cluster invites you to "life – the biomedical convention" at the Heidelberg Congress Center. The international conference also marks a special anniversary: 30 years of the bioRN Life Science Cluster – three decades of excellent research, successful translation, and entrepreneurial dynamism in the heart of Europe. Around 400 participants and over 30 exhibitors from Germany and other European countries are expected to attend.
This high-profile event brings together science, industry, start-ups, and innovation stakeholders, highlighting why the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region is one of the most productive life science ecosystems. In two weeks, part of our InnovationLab team will be there, led by the management and cluster management.
Strong signals in biomedicine
The one-day conference will focus on current developments in biomedicine, new key technologies, and successful models for translation and cross-sector collaboration. The event will open with welcoming remarks from Heidelberg's Mayor Eckart Würzner, Dr. Gitte Neubauer, Chair of the Board of bioRN, and Dr. Julia Schaft, Managing Director of bioRN. "The bioRN Life Science Cluster stands for excellent research, entrepreneurial spirit, and close cooperation between science and industry. Events such as life – the biomedical convention show how these strengths can be turned into concrete innovations," Würzner emphasizes in the run-up to the event.
Thematic highlights
Synthetic Biology for Life Science Applications
This track highlights new approaches in synthetic biology—from RNA design and molecular architectures to new classes of biologics. The keynote address will be given by Kerstin Göpfrich from Heidelberg University, a leading international scientist in the field of RNA nanotechnology and spokesperson for the "SynthImmune" cluster of excellence founded in 2025.
Regional Innovation Spotlights
Four curated keynote speeches provide insights into outstanding research and innovation projects from the bioRN ecosystem—from alternative start-up and financing models to scalable platform technologies and new forms of industry-research cooperation.
International Investors Panel: Smart Capital for Biotech Innovations
The discussion focuses on how financing, strategic partnerships, and strong ecosystems must interact in order to successfully bring biomedical innovations into application.
Dual Use Research to Ensure Societal Resilience
A highly topical panel discussion on the responsible use of biomedical research in the context of medical progress, security of supply, and social resilience.
The varied program will be complemented at the beginning of February by a Young Scientists' Pitch Competition, diverse networking formats, and an accompanying exhibition.
In the vicinity of InnovationLab: Around 400 participants and 30 exhibitors are expected to attend the "life – the biomedical convention" conference on February 4 at the Heidelberg Congress Center. Here is an impression of the bioRN annual conference from 2024. Image: bioRN
30 years of bioRN—an ecosystem with charisma
"Over the past 30 years, BioRN has grown into an ecosystem that extends far beyond the region," emphasizes Dr. Gitte Neubauer. BioRN Managing Director Dr. Julia Schaft underscores the significance of the event: "Strong ecosystems are particularly important in a challenging environment for biotechnology. life – the biomedical convention shows where excellence, entrepreneurship, and capital come together – and sends a clear signal about the innovative strength of the life sciences in Germany and Europe."
AuAt a glance
📅 Datum: 4. Februar 2026, 9.00 – 20.00 Uhr
📍 Ort: Heidelberg Congress Center
🔗 Agenda & Registrierung: www.biorn.org
Als Partner von bioRN macht InnovationLab, durch Geschäftsführer Dr. Michael Kröger, Unternehmensjuristin und Prokuristin Dr. Tanja Benedict und Cluster Manager Dr. Reza Taale im HCC am 4. Februar vertreten, hiermit gerne auf diese zentrale Veranstaltung der Life‒Science‒Branche aufmerksam – ein Pflichttermin für alle, die biomedizinische Innovation aktiv mitgestalten wollen.
Joachim Klaehn
Communications
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