During the finals, scientists presented their ideas with potential for future healthcare solutions and related business models. Among them was the start-up project ReRetina, led by Prof. Dr. Volker Busskamp and Dr. Johannes Striebel, which was recognized as one of the four most promising business models. “The GeneNovate program has not only provided us with valuable knowledge for translating our research into practical applications, but has also given us access to an outstanding network of experts. This award is a wonderful recognition of our work so far,” emphasizes Dr. Johannes Striebel, who pitched the project to the jury. All winning teams will now receive personalized coaching to validate their product ideas.
Innovations for tomorrow’s healthcare
At the finals, 25 selected teams from across Germany—who had advanced from the regional preliminary rounds (featuring a total of 45 teams)—presented their ideas to a jury of experts comprising business angels, venture capital (VC) investors, and experienced entrepreneurs. This year’s teams impressed the jury with promising approaches that hold potential for the future of healthcare. The spectrum ranged from innovative CAR-T cell therapies and novel antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) to AI-powered platform technologies for gene editing or personalized drug manufacturing. The jury selected four winning teams:
- ReRetina: Developing a cell therapy to restore vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration—one of the world's most common causes of blindness.
- Next-PA: Building a fully human monoclonal antibody against Pseudomonas aeruginosa—a dangerous pathogen responsible for severe hospital-acquired infections with high morbidity and mortality. A potential game changer in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
- MACULA PATCH: Developing a personalised cell therapy to restore vision in people who have lost the light-sensitive cells of the retina. A promising approach to tackling one of the leading causes of irreversible vision loss.
- ZELF: Improving the manufacturing of therapeutic cells by preserving cell functionality throughout the entire production process, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of next-generation cell therapies.
Unlocking Potential in Gene and Cell Therapies, Biotech, and MedTech
Gene- and cell-based therapies (GCT) target the very source of many diseases: genes and cells. While conventional medications typically only alleviate symptoms, these new approaches aim to address the underlying cause of a disease. This opens up new treatment options for people with severe or rare diseases for which no suitable therapy has yet been available. As a nationwide entrepreneurship program, GeneNovate® supports scientists and medical professionals in unlocking their translational and entrepreneurial potential in the fields of gene and cell therapies, biotech, and medtech.
Approximately 200 researchers and medical professionals from all over Germany participated in this year’s GeneNovate® Entrepreneurship Program. Over the course of seven months, participants further developed their ideas in 18 training and mentoring modules and prepared them for potential translation into clinical applications as well as for the launch of spin-off start-ups. Since 2024, the program has been coordinated by the National Network Office GCT Germany in collaboration with representatives from the nine German regional hubs.
Further information: https://www.nationale-strategie-gct.de/en/
