Startups, investors, and scientists from the biotech industry gathered at the Biovaria conference. Opsyon from Munich and Lift Biosciences from London won a pitch competition.
More than 250 participants attended the eleventh edition of the Biovaria biotech conference in Munich. The aim was to exchange ideas on current trends in the life sciences and to initiate partnerships between academic research and industry. A total of 63 patented technologies from research institutions, universities, and university hospitals across Europe were presented.
“Perfect relationship” between startups and investors
Ten startups participated in a pitch competition for the Biovaria Startup Award. Munich-based Opsyon won in the "Emerging" category, and London-based Lift Biosciences won in the "Rising" category. Both companies are working on cancer immunotherapies.
Opsyon is developing new immuno-oncology therapeutics that are designed to have fewer systemic side effects than conventional methods. Lift Biosciences is working on a cell-based cancer therapy based on "killer cells." The biotech startup aims to develop a scalable process that will enable affordable treatment of solid tumors worldwide. Alex Blyth, Managing Director of Lift Biosciences, says Biovaria is the best startup event he has ever attended because:
“The relationship between startups, investors, and biotech and pharmaceutical companies was perfect.”
The conference was attended by very prominent people: Dr. Hella Kohlhof, Chief Research Officer of the Munich-based biotech company Immunic Therapeutics, which recently raised over 30 million euros in investment, gave a keynote speech at the event. BioMManaging Director Prof. Dr. Horst Domdey was on hand and moderated a panel on "Rare Diseases." Biovaria was organized by Ascenion and 16 other European technology transfer organizations. The next Biovaria will take place on May 8 and 9, 2019, in Munich.
