Life Sciences in Thuringia - Medical technology, biotechnology and pharmacy

In the life sciences, companies in Thuringia benefit from a technological environment characterized by overlapping expertise in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, medicine and microsystems technology. A mix of first-class, nearby universities with relevant courses of study offers the best conditions for joint research cooperation and personnel recruitment.

Academic training

Around than 5,200 university students are enrolled in study courses closely tied to life sciences. These include i.a.:

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is the largest university in Thuringia and offers interdisciplinary cutting-edge research along its three profile lines LIGHT - LIFE - LIBERTY. The long-standing expertise in optics and photonics is complemented by research in the field of materials and nanotechnologies. This enables very fruitful synergies with the life sciences, where the university's strengths lie in microbiology, infection biology, biodiversity, bio-geo interactions and ageing research.

At Jena University Hospital, scientists work both in the field of basic biomedical research and in patient-related clinical research. In the 26 clinics and 25 institutes, 53,000 inpatients and 275,000 outpatients are treated each year and 2,500 students of medicine, dentistry, molecular medicine and medical photonics are trained.

Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena is the largest and most research-intensive university of applied sciences in Thuringia with a long tradition in optometry, ophthalmic optics and medical technology. It also focuses on biotechnology, health and care.

The Technische Universität Ilmenau is a research-intensive university dedicated to basic and applied research in proven areas such as functional materials and technologies, intelligent sensor technology and precision measurement technology, which are used in a variety of ways in the life sciences.

Training, further education

Vocational and technical schools in Thuringia train people in the following professions, for example:

• Laboratory technician in biology, physics and chemistry
• Medical laboratory assistant
• Mechatronics technician
• Microtechnologist
• Precision optician
• Industrial mechanic and industrial electrician

Moreover, workers in Thuringia benefit from a comprehensive range of further education and training opportunities in the life sciences sector. In addition to the “Jenaer Bildungszentrum” (training center of Schott, Carl Zeiss and JENOPTIK), the Ilmenau University of Technology and the Jena University of Applied Sciences offer various continuing education programs and science courses.

The Technische Universität Ilmenau has been the organizer of the biannual ”International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering“ for up and coming biomedical experts.

Jena’s Beutenberg campus - Where Life Science meets Physics

At the Beutenberg Campus in Jena more than 3,000 scientists and experts work at 10 university- and non-university-based institutes as well as in 50 young biotechnology and medical technology enterprises.

Jena’s Beutenberg campus is home to:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF)
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Center for Molecular Biomedicine
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse“
• Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Applied Physics
• Jena University Hospital – Section Experimental Virology of the Institute for Medical Microbiology
• Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research
• Leibniz Institute for Natural Products Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) (IPHT)
• Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)
• Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPBGC)
• Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (MPCE)
   
• BioInstrumention Center – Business Incubator
• Technology and Innovation Park Jena (TIP) – Business Incubator

Additional research institutions

Reap the benefits of a technological environment that uniquely combines competencies in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, biotechnology and microsystems technology.

• Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt
• Fraunhofer-Center in Erfurt
• fzmb GmbH – Research Centre for Medical Technology and Biotechnology, Bad Langensalza
• ThIMEDOP – Thüringer Innovationszentrum für Medizintechnik-Lösungen
• Technische Universität Ilmenau – Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI)
• Technische Universität Ilmenau – Institute of Chemistry and Bioengineering

Industry associations

• medways  - Industry association for medical technology and biotechnology
• InfectoGnostics Research Campus Jena – Breaking new ground in the diagnosis of infections
• THÜRINGER PHARMA COMMUNITY
• OptoNet – Photonics Network Thuringia

Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Jena GmbH
The company was founded by scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology and the Hans Knöll Institute and focuses on the development and production of in-vitro diagnostics. Since 2017, it has been part of the Abbott Group, one of the world's leading companies in the field of point-of-care solutions.

AEROPHARM GmbH
AEROPHARM is the Sandoz Group's global center for respiratory and ophthalmic medicines. At our site in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, around 280 employees currently develop, produce and package 15 million respiratory medicines per year, such as asthma sprays or innovative dry powder inhalers. In addition, innovative solutions are developed in the indication areas of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Analytik Jena GmbH & Co.KG
As a globally active and leading provider of analytical measurement technology, molecular biology instruments, liquid handling and laboratory automation technologies, Analytik Jena enables laboratories around the world to work quickly and successfully - from routine analysis to specialized tasks in the fields of chemistry, pharmacy, medicine and life science, food safety and agriculture, water and wastewater analysis, environmental analysis and much more. The company has been part of the Swiss Endress+Hauser Group since 2013.

Bauerfeind AG
Bauerfeind AG is a premier manufacturer of medical devices such as bandages, orthoses, compression stockings and orthopedic inlays. Material and design award winners many times over, Bauerfeind products make a significant contribution to maintaining and restoring health.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
The long-term goal of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is to leave a lasting mark in the fields of ophthalmology and microsurgery. With its ambition to break new ground, the company develops innovative technologies, which enable healthcare professionals, e.g. to preserve vision into old age and fight brain tumors.

Microfluidic ChipShop GmbH
In lab-on-a-chip technologies, microfluidic ChipShop is a global leading supplier of microfluidic chips from a unique catalogue as well as of customer-specific complete systems consisting of microfluidic component, operating unit and related assay.

Wacker Biotech GmbH
Since 2005, WACKER has been producing high-quality biopharmaceuticals based on microbial systems in Jena. The highly specialized production facility focuses on the contract development and production of therapeutic proteins. The solutions developed in Jena make a decisive contribution to the treatment of serious diseases, such as lymphocytic leukemia in children and teens.