Gateway to Biotech: Top researchers met industry experts in the Faculty Club at the IZB

Are heart transplants with genetically modified pig hearts within reach? How can the advances in oncology also open up new therapies for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease? What opportunities exist for partnering with a biopharmaceutical company? And how can the stock markets strengthen the European life sciences sector?
At the eleventh Biotech Press Lounge on May 16, 2019, four speakers addressed 100 participants: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Bruno Reichart of the clinic of the University Munich, Dr. med. ­Michael Almstetter, Managing Director of Origenis GmbH, Dr. Ing. Joachim Vogt, Director of Search and Evaluation (S&E), Western Europe at AbbVie Germany GmbH & Co. KG, and Sebastian Grabert, Germany representative of Euronext N.V. Dr. Martin Laqua, senior editor at Transcript, led the program.

He first announced Prof. Reichart, who spoke about the long-term success of heart transplants with genetically modified pig hearts. The organs of genetically modified (xenogeneic) pigs are a promising alternative for terminally ill patients. He was followed by Dr. Michael Almstetter, who explained how advances in oncology can be used to develop new treatments for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Joachim Vogt presented cooperation opportunities with AbbVie and emphasized the importance of cooperation for the success of medical research. Finally, the 100 attendees learned from Sebastian Grabert, Germany representative of Euronext N.V., how the stock markets can strengthen the life sciences ­sector. The task of the stock exchanges is to provide companies access to industry-specific as well as generalist-oriented investors worldwide. Following the talks the speakers engaged in intensive exchange of ideas and networking with the participants of the event.