Dr. Julia Schaft is the new spokesperson of the Working Group of the BioRegions

Heidelberg, 30.03.2023

At its meeting on March 29, 2023, during the German Biotechnology Days in Wiesbaden, the German BioRegions Working Group elected the speakers' committee for the next two years. Dr. Julia Schaft, managing director of BioRN, the Life Science Cluster of the Rhine-Main-Neckar region, was unanimously elected as the new spokesperson. Dr. Schaft succeeds Dr. Janin Sameith, Project Manager Life Sciences & Bioeconomy at Hessen Trade & Invest GmbH, who has held the office since 2021. The new team of spokespersons is complemented by Dr. Jürgen Walkenhorst, Life Science Nord Management GmbH, and Dr. Jens Hellwage, InfectoGnostics Forschungscampus Jena e.V., as deputies.

“The working group of the bioregions combines the strengths of Germany's life science regions to promote the economic use of modern biotechnologies. The representatives of the bioregions together have access to a huge network and deep insight into region-specific structures and challenges. Together, we want to create momentum for strengthening Germany as a location for biotechnology. I look forward to the upcoming tasks as spokesperson, and to working with the bioregions and with BioDeutschland,” says Julia Schaft.

The Working Group of the German BioRegions is an association of the German BioRegions and has its office at the German Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO Deutschland) in Berlin. The 31 members deal with topics such as financing, start-ups and technology transfer, as well as with the public image of the German biotechnology industry and other life science sectors. Since 2007, the AK BioRegio has been awarding the annual Innovation Prize of the German BioRegions, a nationwide competition for application-oriented ideas from universities, and, together with BIO Deutschland, organizes the German Biotechnology Days.

Dr. Julia Schaft holds a doctorate in biology and completed her doctorate at the Justus Liebig University in Gießen and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). Dr. Schaft initially worked in the research department of an in vitro fertilization clinic in Sydney, Australia, where she conducted research on embryonic stem cells. She then moved into increasingly responsible management positions, in which she both led scientific projects and worked in the area of legislative and ethical research regulation. In 2016, Dr. Schaft joined BioRN as a project manager, leading BMBF-funded internationalization projects and playing a key role in the strategic realignment of the BioRN cluster. Since October 2018, Dr. Schaft has been managing director of BioRN.

About BioRN

BioRN is the science and innovation cluster of the Rhine-Main-Neckar region around Heidelberg, one of Germany's strongest biotech and life science centers. As a non-profit network, BioRN unites more than 140 members in a unique ecosystem, including top universities, research institutions and technology parks. Ten global pharmaceutical companies have R&D sites or are active in the BioRN network. A large number of small and medium-sized companies, as well as local government organizations and interest groups, reinforce the excellence of the cluster. As a leading European life science cluster, BioRN is committed to facilitating conditions for start-ups with the aim of attracting global investment and talent to the region. BioRN is a founding partner of Biolabs Heidelberg, one of the leading incubators for biotech and life science start-ups.

Media – Contact:

Stephanie Füller

Public Relations Manager

mobile: +49-151 17880177

E-Mail: sf@biorn.org

BioRN Network e.V.

Im Neuenheimer Feld 582

69120 Heidelberg, Germany

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