Heidelberg, March 30th:
The Council of BioRegions in Germany (AK-BioRegio) elected the committee of speakers for the next two years at its meeting on March 29, 2023 at the German Biotechnology Days in Wiesbaden.
Unanimously, Dr. Julia Schaft, Managing Director of BioRN, the life science cluster of the Rhine-Main-Neckar region, was elected the new spokesperson.
The new team of spokesperson front row from l.t.r.: Dr. Jürgen Walkenhorst, Dr. Julia Schaft und Dr. Jens Hellwage
Dr. Schaft follows Dr. Janin Sameith, Project Manager Life Sciences & Bioeconomy at Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH, who has held the position since 2021. The new team of spokespersons are supplemented by Dr. Jürgen Walkenhorst, Life Science Nord Management GmbH and Dr. Jens Hellwage, Infec-toGnostics Research Campus Jena e.V.
“The Council of the BioRegions bundles the strengths of the life science regions in Germany to promote the economic use of modern biotechnologies. The representatives of the BioRegions together have a huge network and a deep insight into the region-specific structures and challenges. Together we want to provide impetus for strengthening Germany as a biotechnology location. I'm looking forward to the forthcoming tasks as spokeswoman, the cooperation with the bioregions and with BioGermany," says Julia Schaft.
The Council of BioRegions in Germany (AK-BioRegio) is the alliance of the German Biotechclusters named Bioregions. The 31 members deal with topics such as financing, founding and technology transfer as well as with the external representation of the German biotechnology industry and other life science industries. Since 2007, the AK BioRegio has been awarding the Innovation Prize of the German BioRegions, a nationwide competition for application-oriented ideas from universities and organizes the German Biotechnology Days together with BIO Deutschland e.V.
After completing her PhD in molecular and developmental biology at the University of Giessen and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg (Germany) in 2002, Julia continued her scientific research on human embryonic stem cells at Genea Ltd in Sydney Australia where she took over leadership in scientific project management ethical supervision. In 2014 Julia relocated back to Germany building up a philanthropic fundraising program at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg. In 2016 she joined BioRN as a project manager for international R&D and translational initiatives. Since 2018 Julia is Managing Director of BioRN, managing a network of key innovation stakeholders and advancing the Rhein Neckar region into one of the worlds leading life science clusters.
Pressrelease in German language:
About BioRN
BioRN is the science and industry innovation cluster in the Rhine-Main-Neckar region, one of Germany’s strongest biotech and life science hubs in Germany. It is a non-profit network fostering health innovations and serving its members by creating a rich translational ecosystem as well as promoting, representing and connecting the regional innovation stakeholders. BioRN has more than 140 institutional members, including the top academic and research institutions, 10 global pharmaceutical companies, a large range of small and medium-sized enterprises bolstering the life science ecosystem as well as local government organizations and interest groups. As a leading life science cluster BioRN is committed to facilitating the framework conditions for start-ups with the aim of attracting global investment and talents to the region. BioRN is also founding partner of BioLabs Heidelberg, a leading shared laboratory space for life science and biotech startups.
Follow us on Twitter (@BioRNCluster) and LinkedIn. (www.biorn.org)
Media -Contact:
Stephanie Füller
Public Relations Manager
mobile: +49-151 17880177
E-Mail: sf@biorn.org
BioRN Network e.V.
Im Neuenheimer Feld 582 69120 Heidelberg, Germany