Three decades of innovation, entrepreneurship, and biotech excellence were celebrated on May 22, 2025, in a specially erected marquee on the IZB campus in Martinsried. Around 160 guests from the worlds of science, business, politics, and media accepted the invitation to mark the 30th anniversary of the incubator.

Who would have imagined back in 1995 that a bold idea would one day evolve into a leading biotech hub? Today, the IZB is home to more than 40 start-ups and life science companies, where over 700 bright minds are working on solutions to a wide range of global challenges. The recipe for success: close proximity to cutting-edge research, a strong network, and a comprehensive, well-designed infrastructure.

The anniversary was not only a reason to celebrate, but also an opportunity to reflect and engage in meaningful discussion. In his welcoming address, Bavaria’s Minister President Dr. Markus Söder praised the IZB’s role as a driver of regional innovation, emphasizing: “High-tech has found a home in Bavaria.”

A highlight of the event was the panel discussion titled “30 Years of IZB – A Look Back and Forward,” moderated by Karin Hofelich (VentureCapital Magazin). Dr. Peter Hanns Zobel, who served as Managing Director of the IZB for more than 28 years, Prof. Tobias Bonhoeffer, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Dr. Marion Jung (COO, T-CURX), and Adrian Passow (General Manager and Co-Founder of Omegametrix) shared experiences and behind-the-scenes stories from the IZB—anecdotes that rarely make it into official press releases. Prof. Ralf Huss (Managing Director of BioM) and Dr. Dominik Schumacher (CEO and Co-Founder of Tubulis) offered insights into the present and future of the biotech industry.

The “IZBier,” brewed at the TUM research brewery in Weihenstephan—where the IZB’s second location is based—was ceremonially tapped by State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt. A symbolic moment of enjoyment that perfectly captured the fusion of tradition and innovation—after all, brewing has long been a prime example of applied biotechnology.