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Life Sciences in Thuringia - Medical Technology, Biotechnology & Pharmacy

Thuringia has always been a leader in the life sciences. The mercury-free thermometer, the X-ray tube, and the microscope were developed here. Today, the use of photonic technologies enables significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of infections.

Central location in Europe

Successful Companies

Location by tradition

Skilled workers and training

Are you interested in settling in Thuringia? Then please feel free to contact us at Contact.

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Data and Facts

Thuringia has a long tradition in the fields of medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Its strengths in optics and photonics make Thuringia an international innovation leader in the areas of microscopy, laser technology and ophthalmology. Infection research and aging research have become established in recent years and have gained international significance. It has also been possible to attract top research projects to Thuringia, such as the Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse“ (approx. 47 million euros in funding for infection research) and the "Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI)“ with a funding volume of 150 million euros.

640 Companies

30000 employees

5400 Students

4 Universities

3 Technology and Start-up Centers

14 Research institutions

43 Hospitals

Core Competencies in the Life Sciences sector

Medical technology

Imaging procedures
Microscopy
Minimally invasive techniques
Laser applications
Biophotonics
Biomaterials

Biotechnology

Decentralized Diagnostics/Analytics
Lab-on-a-Chip/Organ-on-a-Chip Systems
Biomarkers
Process Technology
Infection Research
Aging research

Pharmacy

Development and production of innovative therapeutics
Anti-infectives
Drug Delivery
Nanomedicine
Production of sterile, solid and liquid dosage forms

*Source: Company and Technology Database of LEG Thüringen

Jena is the high-tech and science city of Thuringia, and we want to be an attractive cooperation partner for business and science. For this reason, ZEISS is investing in Jena as its founding location, which is also one of the leading innovation sites for ZEISS Medical Technology.
Justus Felix Wehmer | Chief Financial Officer Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
The city of Jena/Thuringia, with its unique ecosystem of research and development, is a perfect fit for our company at the interface between life sciences and precision mechanics.
Dr. Claudia Gärtner | CEO microfluidic ChipShop GmbH

Successful in Thuringia

microfluidic ChipShop GmbH
A laboratory that fits on a microchip? A Thuringian company makes it possible! The microfluidic chips from the Jena-based technology company microfluidic ChipShop GmbH are used in the analysis of blood, urine and other fluids. The company particularly appreciates the short distances and existing value chains at the Thuringia location.
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GBneuhaus GmbH
Discover the innovative strength in the heart of Germany! We show you what lies within the life sciences companies from Thuringia. Best example: GBneuhaus! Under the motto “Yes, we coat!“ the company offers functional coatings, including antimicrobial ones that effectively protect against viruses, bacteria and other dangerous pathogens. We support GBneuhaus, among other things, in its expansion to India.
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To our success stories To “Born in Thuringia”

Skilled workers

In-demand specialists with smart ideas

In the life sciences, companies in Thuringia benefit from a technological environment characterized by overlapping expertise in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, and microsystems technology. A mix of top-tier, nearby universities with relevant degree programs provides the best conditions for joint research collaborations and the recruitment of personnel.

Academic Education

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is Thuringia's largest university and offers first-class interdisciplinary research in its three profile areas LIGHT – LIFE – FREEDOM. In the life sciences, the university's strengths lie in the fields of microbiology, infection biology, biodiversity, bio-geo-interactions, and aging research.

At Jena University Hospital, scientists work in both biomedical basic research and patient-related clinical research. In its 26 clinical centers and 25 institutes, 53,000 inpatients and 275,000 outpatients are treated annually, and 2,500 students of medicine, dentistry, molecular medicine, and medical photonics are taught.

The Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena is Thuringia's largest and most research-intensive university of applied sciences with a long tradition in the fields of optometry, ophthalmic optics, and medical technology. In addition, biotechnology, health, and care are among its focal points.

The Technical University of Ilmenau is a research-intensive university dedicated to basic and applied research in selected areas such as functional materials and technologies as well as intelligent sensor technology and precision measurement technology, which are widely used in the life sciences.

Training and further education

The Thuringian vocational and specialized schools provide training in the following professions, for example:

Biology, physics and chemistry laboratory technician
Medical-technical laboratory assistant
Mechatronics engineer
Microtechnologist
Precision optician and mechanic
Industrial mechanic and industrial electronics technician

Furthermore, continuous training opportunities for the industry are offered in Thuringia. In addition to the Jena Education Center Schott Carl Zeiss Jenoptik, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the TU Ilmenau, and the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena offer various continuing education programs and scientific courses.

The Technical University of Ilmenau has been the organizer of the biennial "International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering“ for aspiring biomedical engineers for years.

Research and Development

Jenas Beutenberg Campus - Where Life Science meets Physics

On the Beutenberg Campus in Jena, more than 3,000 scientists and experts work at 10 university and non-university institutes as well as in 50 young biotechnology and medical technology companies.

Located on the Beutenberg Campus in Jena:

Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering
Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)
Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute (HKI)
Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies (IPHT)
Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI)
Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPBGC)
Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (MPCE)
Friedrich Schiller University Jena - Center for Molecular Biomedicine
Friedrich Schiller University Jena - Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics
Friedrich Schiller University Jena - Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse”
Jena University Hospital of the Friedrich Schiller University - Department of Experimental Virology, Institute of Medical Microbiology

Start-up centers:

BioInstrument Center Jena
Technology and Innovation Park Jena

Here you can find an overview of the research institutions in Thuringia.

Thuringian R&D Portal

Other research institutions in Thuringia

Benefit from an environment that uniquely combines competencies from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, biotechnology and microsystems engineering.

Institute for Bioprocess Engineering and Analytical Measurement Technology (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt
Research Center for Medical Technology and Biotechnology (fzmb), Bad Langensalza
Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), TU Ilmenau
Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, TU Ilmenau
Fraunhofer Center Erfurt with a focus on life science applications, Erfurt
ThIMEDOP - Thuringian Innovation Center for Medical Technology Solutions, Jena

Industry associations in Thuringia

medways e. V. has been the industry association for medical technology and biotechnology in Thuringia for 25 years and networks producers, universities and research institutions. In addition, medways advises companies in all phases of research, development and marketing.

The InfectoGnostics Research Campus is a partnership of science, medicine, and industry. Over 30 partners jointly develop innovative, cost-effective solutions for rapid on-site diagnosis of infections and quickly transfer research results into practice.

In the Thuringian Pharma Community many stakeholders such as companies, universities, research institutions and clinics are committed to the further development of pharmaceutical active ingredients and technologies.

The OptoNet e.V. unites 140 leading players from industry, research and education in the field of photonics. Together, we are committed to further strengthening the high-tech location in the heart of Germany and shaping the future sustainably with innovative light-based technologies.

Company portal Life Sciences Thuringia (LiST-Portal)

One click. Everything at a glance. Discover Thuringian Life Sciences with our LiST-Portal - Life Sciences Thuringia! LiST contains a structured list of around 350 Thuringian players from industry and science, impressively presenting the diversity and economic strength of the sector.

To the LiST-Portal

Selected companies Thuringia offers excellent growth opportunities in medical technology, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Renowned market and technology leaders rely on this location.

Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Jena GmbH

The company was founded by scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies and the Hans Knöll Institute and focuses on the development and production of in-vitro diagnostics. Since 2017, it has been part of the Abbott Group, one of the world's leading companies in the field of point-of-care solutions.

AEROPHARM GmbH

AEROPHARM is the global center of the Sandoz Group for respiratory and eye medications. At our site in Rudolstadt, Thuringia, around 280 employees currently develop, produce, and package 15 million respiratory medications annually, such as asthma sprays or innovative dry powder inhalers. In addition, innovative solutions are being developed in the indication areas of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Analytik Jena GmbH & Co. KG

As a globally active and leading provider of analytical measurement technology, molecular biological instruments, liquid handling and laboratory automation technologies, Analytik Jena enables laboratories around the world to work quickly and successfully - from routine analyses to special tasks in the fields of chemistry, pharmacy, medicine and life science, food safety and agriculture, water and wastewater analysis, environmental analytics and much more. The company has been part of the Swiss Endress+Hauser Group since 2013.

Bauerfeind AG

Bauerfeind AG is one of the leading manufacturers of medical aids such as bandages, orthoses, compression stockings and orthopedic insoles. The products, which have been awarded multiple prizes for material and design, make an important contribution to maintaining and restoring health.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG

The long-term goal of Carl Zeiss Meditec AG is to leave a lasting impression in the fields of ophthalmology and microsurgery. With the ambition to break new ground, the company develops innovative technologies that enable medical professionals, for example, to preserve vision into old age and combat brain tumors.

microfluidic ChipShop GmbH

In the field of lab-on-a-chip technologies, microfluidic ChipShop is a world-leading provider of microfluidic chips from a unique catalog as well as custom complete systems consisting of microfluidic components, control units and associated assays.

Wacker Biotech GmbH

Since 2005, WACKER has been producing high-quality biopharmaceuticals based on microbial systems in Jena. The highly specialized production facility focuses on contract development and manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. The solutions developed in Jena make a decisive contribution to the treatment of serious diseases such as lymphocytic leukemia in children and adolescents.