Innovation network Proteomics4Future explores new technologies for the industrialization of MS-based proteomics

Planegg, 3rd December 2020. The recently granted cooperation network „Proteomics4Future“ met on 3rd December for its official kick-off in an interactive online format. With it: the pioneers for innovative solutions for protein sample preparation from PreOmics GmbH headquartered in the Innovations- and Start-ups Center Biotechnologie (IZB) in Planegg. The network pursues the central goal of helping mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics to accelerate its industrial dissemination through new methods and standardization of workflows, which will benefit e.g. developers of new active pharmaceutical ingredients. The network is funded by the Central Innovation Program for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. It brings together a new generation of technology companies, consisting of innovators in the fields of protein sample preparation, laboratory automation, protein analytics and MS data analysis.

Industrialization and standardization of MS-based proteomics – this is the full title behind the name Proteomics4Future. Funding is provided within the program “Central Innovation Program for Medium-Sized Businesses” (ZIM) of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. Proteomics methods have undergone rapid development in recent years fostered by the increasing availability of modern LC-MS/MS instruments and are becoming increasingly important, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, for example in target-independent drug discovery and in the development and production of modern biotherapeutics. In the future, proteomics methods will also become increasingly important in the growing field of personalized medicine, enabling more effective, safer and more cost-efficient therapies. However, industrialized use and large-scale application in clinical studies and routine diagnostics currently face challenges in terms of user-friendliness, sensitivity, robustness, cost and standardization.

The ZIM cooperation network Proteomics4Future brings together players from all areas along the value chain of MS-based proteomics. Within the scope of cooperative development projects, the participating companies and research institutions want to create solutions for existing problems in industry and medicine by means of innovative developments. These range from standardized technologies for sample preparation to AI-based methods of data analysis. New applications will be opened up and existing limitations reduced. Routine processes will make results faster accessible, more reliable and cheaper. An automation of these laboratory procedures, especially sample handling and processing, is planned in the network as a further lever for these attributes.

Current members oft he network are: MSAID GmbH, OmicScouts GmbH, PreOmics GmbH, A&M Labor für Analytik und Metabolismusforschung Service GmbH, Alithea Bio UG, Cellzome GmbH, EpiQMax GmbH, Hamilton Bonaduz AG,  Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V., University of Applied Sciences Mannheim (CeMOS), Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH and Technical University Munich. The network management is carried out by ifectis Innovationsförderung – Dr. Björn Mamat.

Network manager Björn Mamat points out that the network is open for further partners. Interested companies and research institutions that would like to participate in R&D projects and can contribute complementary expertise are just as welcome as potential users of the newly developed solutions.

About ifectis Innovationsförderung
ifectis Innovationsförderung – Dr. Björn Mamat advises companies from all sectors – from start-ups to medium-sized companies – on the design, implementation and financing of innovation projects using public funding. The European partner network also enables support in funding and financing issues beyond Germany. The company is based in Lahr in the Black Forest. Further information is available at www.ifectis.de.

Contact ifectis:
Dr. Björn Mamat
ifectis Innovationsförderung
Kreuzstr. 11
77933 Lahr
Tel.:        +49 (0) 7821/ 98935-0
E-Mail:    ed.sitcefi@tamam.b

About PreOmics GmbH
PreOmics is a spin-off of the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, founded in 2016 by Dr G. Pichler and Dr N.A. Kulak, current CEOs, with the mission of developing, producing and selling innovative solutions to revolutionise and standardize Mass Spectrometry (MS)-based protein analysis. Despite our short history, we have built up an experienced and dynamic team of 25 people with multidisciplinary expertise in assay development, product development, quality control, and commercialization.

We brought our first product to the market in 2016 and since then, we have successfully developed and commercialized other proprietary solutions. Recently, we launched our first robotic device PreON, that enables the automation of sample processing based on our marketed iST technology. Our current products’ portfolio is already appreciated by more than 300 customers worldwide.

Contact Preomics:
Dr. Garwin Pichler
PreOmics GmbH
‍Am Klopferspitz 19
D-82152 Planegg/Martinsried
E-Mail: moc.scimoerp@relhcip
Website: www.preomics.com

Background information on the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried near Munich
The Fördergesellschaft IZB mbH, founded in 1995, is the operating company of the Innovation and Start-up Centers for Biotechnology in Planegg-Martinsried and Freising-Weihenstephan, which have developed into a leading biotechnology center. Over 50 biotech companies with over 700 employees are currently located on 26,000 m² in Planegg-Martinsried. Here, work is being carried out on developing drugs against the most serious diseases, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and various autoimmune diseases. An essential criterion for the success of the IZBs is the spatial proximity to top research on the Martinsried / Grosshadern campus. The new infrastructure features such as the Faculty Club G2B (Gateway to Biotech), the IZB Residence CAMPUS AT HOME, the Elhardt Chemistry College, the two kindergartens Bio Kids and Bio Kids², as well as the two restaurants SEVEN AND MORE and Café Freshmaker are location factors that are very much appreciated by company founders. Successful companies that have emerged from the IZB are, for example, Medigene AG, MorphoSys AG, Micromet GmbH (today Amgen AG), Octopharma GmbH, Corimmun (today Janssen-Cilag), Rigontec GmbH (today MSD), ibidi GmbH, Coriolis GmbH and Immunic Therapeutics. More information at www.izb-online.de

Press contact and requests for images:
Susanne Simon, Head of Press and Public Relations
Fördergesellschaft IZB mbH, Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology
Am Klopferspitz 19, D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried
Tel.: +49 (0) 89/55 279 48-17, E-Mail: ed.enilno-bzi@nomis
Website: www.izb-online.de