Innovative Life Science Technologies at BioVaria 2025
Max Planck Innovation and the Lead Discovery Center GmbH Present Promising Approaches for Pharma and Biotech
To highlight the innovative potential of basic research, conducted at the Institutes of the Max Planck Society, Max Planck Innovation and the LDC are presenting three groundbreaking technologies, developed at the Max-Planck Institute (MPI) for Infection Biology, the MPI for medical research and the MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, amongst others. These inventions have the potential to significantly advance the fields of drug development and diagnostics.
Next-Generation Biotech – Targeting Inflammation, Cancer, and Diagnostics with ALPK1, gRBCs, and DynaPore
ALPK1 inhibitors offer a targeted approach to inflammatory and rare diseases: Chronic inflammation drives many diseases, including autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, but current treatments often come with severe side effects. ALPK1 inhibitors offer a precise therapeutic approach by blocking a key regulator of inflammation. By targeting the ALPK1-TIFA-NF-κB pathway, these inhibitors have the potential to treat conditions ranging from cardiorenal diseases to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Proof of concept has already been achieved in ROSAH syndrome, paving the way for new, more effective treatments.
A new cancer therapy platform is enabled by Functionalized Ghost Red Blood Cells: Current cancer treatments like liposomes and immune therapies face challenges such as short circulation times, high costs, and severe side effects. Functionalized ghost red blood cells (gRBCs) offer a novel solution by using the patient’s own blood cells as drug carriers. These modified cells provide extended circulation, immune evasion, and enhanced stability, reducing dosing frequency and side effects. Preclinical studies show promising results in targeting cancer cells, making gRBCs a scalable, cost-effective alternative to conventional therapies.
With DynaPore a next-generation bioelectronic detection is on the way: Rapid and accurate biomarker detection is crucial for diagnostics, but current methods often struggle with non-specific signals. DynaPore introduces a novel conformation effect transistor (CET) technology, using channel proteins in insulating membranes to detect biomolecules with high precision. A binding event triggers an instant electrical signal, enabling fast, portable, and highly specific diagnostics. Initially focused on detecting bacterial infections in livestock, DynaPore has the potential for broader applications in medical and environmental diagnostics.
Bringing Innovation to Industry
"The BioVaria conference is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase cutting-edge life science technologies to a wide audience of industry, pharma, and biotech experts," says Dr. Ingrid Kapser-Fischer, Patent and Licensing Manager at Max Planck Innovation. "We are confident that these innovations hold great potential for the development of new therapies and diagnostic solutions, and we look forward to establishing new collaborations with companies interested in leveraging our technologies."
Companies can explore the latest technology offerings from Max Planck Innovation at: www.max-planck-innovation.com/technology-offers
About BioVaria
BioVaria, organized annually by Ascenion GmbH, serves as a platform for scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to exchange insights on the latest advancements in life sciences. The event fosters connections between academic research and industry, driving the translation of breakthrough discoveries into real-world applications.
With its strong focus on technology transfer, BioVaria continues to be a key meeting point for innovative collaborations that shape the future of healthcare and biotechnology.
www.biovaria.org
About Lead Discovery Center GmbH
Lead Discovery Center GmbH (LDC) was established in 2008 by the technology transfer organization Max Planck Innovation, as a novel approach to capitalize on the potential of excellent basic research for the discovery of new therapies for diseases with high medical need. The LDC takes on promising early-stage projects from academia and transforms them into innovative pharmaceutical leads and antibodies that reach initial proof-of-concept in animals as well as candidate nomination. In close collaboration with high-profile partners from research and industry, the LDC is building a strong and growing portfolio of small molecule and antibody leads with exceptional medical and commercial potential.
LDC sustains a long-term partnership with the Max Planck Society and its institutes as well as with KHAN-I/II, and has formed alliances with AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, Daiichi Sankyo, Qurient, invIOS, Novo Nordisk, Cumulus Oncology, Nodus Oncology, JT Pharmaceuticals, KinSea AS, HLB Life Science, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, e.g. In addition, LDC also works with leading translational drug discovery centers and with various investors to provide its assets for company creation.
Further information at www.lead-discovery.de
About Max Planck Innovation
Max Planck Innovation is responsible for the technology transfer of the Max Planck Society and, as such, the link between industry and basic research. With our interdisciplinary team we advise and support scientists of the Max Planck Institutes in evaluating their inventions, filing patents and founding companies. We offer industry a unique access to the innovations of the Max Planck Institutes. Thus, we perform an important task: the transfer of basic research results into products, which contribute to the economic and social progress.
More information under www.max-planck-innovation.com
Marketing & Public Relations
Markus Berninger
Diplom-Kaufmann
Phone: +49 (89) / 29 09 19-30
Email:
berninger@max-planck-innovation.de