At MEDICAL FORGE Leipzig, an accelerator for young innovative medical technology companies on the BioCity Campus Leipzig, tomorrow’s medical technology is being forged. The goal of the medical technology accelerator is to help startups, and SMEs take the final step toward successful entry into the German healthcare market and attract international companies to Saxony.

The Accelerator focuses on industry-specific topics such as regulatory affairs, marketing, reimbursement, and clinical evidence. The startups benefit from state-of-the-art laboratory workstations, coaching, and mentoring by experienced industry experts and easier access to clinics and thus users of their technologies. For example, MEDICAL FORGE has already been able to win the University Hospital Leipzig and the Sankt Georg Hospital as partners, which have a high interest in innovative solutions for their patients and at the same time support the startups as development partners with clinical expertise.

The six selected startups of the first round cover a wide range of medical indications. Their solutions are based on very different technologies—a voice-controlled patient communication tool for hospitals (CallPima), innovative genetic tests for cancer screening (Antegenes), AI-based diagnostic support for rare diseases (Saventic), tissue products for regenerative medicine (Han Biomedical), a high-precision diagnostic platform for infectious diseases (Aviana Saxony), and 3D-printed medical devices (Next3D).

Over the next four years, up to 30 startups and SMEs will be able to participate in the accelerator program thanks to funding from the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the STARK structural change funding program. In the long term, MEDICAL FORGE will be financed via partnership models. With HP, B.Braun, Leipzig University Hospital, Klinikum Sankt Georg, LGH – Leipziger Gewerbehöfe, and the Leipzig Office for Economic Development, strong partners have already been won for the Accelerator.

Martin Dulig, Saxony’s Minister of State for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Transport, picks up on the importance of MEDICAL FORGE for regional structural change: “Biotechnology is one of the megatrends of the 21st century. Saxony has adapted to this in good time and is now a very dynamic life science region. In over 300 companies and institutions, 15,500 employees generate annual sales of 1.9 billion euros. Especially here in open-minded, cosmopolitan Leipzig, start-ups and innovative companies find an agile environment. As a ‘forge’ for medical technology, MEDICAL FORGE will further strengthen and network Saxony’s biotechnology sector. In the future, Saxon medical products will enter the German healthcare market even faster. At the same time, MEDICAL FORGE supports the structural change in the Central German coalfield and thus helps forge the successful future of the Free State.”

Clemens Schülke, acting head of the Department of Economics, Labor, and Digital Affairs, emphasizes, “The opening of MEDICAL FORGE is a milestone for the life science industry in Leipzig. Young medical technology companies will be able to collaborate with strong partners such as Leipzig University Hospital and Klinikum Sankt Georg, making it easier for them to enter the healthcare market in Leipzig. An important step – innovative solutions improve patient care in our hospitals. The establishment of MEDICAL FORGE on the BioCity Campus Leipzig is an enrichment for both sides. The stakeholders are well networked, and everyone benefits from the joint exchange—excellent conditions for some participants to settle here.”

André Hofmann, Managing Director of biosaxony Management GmbH, which initiated and operates MEDICAL FORGE, adds: “This accelerator program accompanies participants on the difficult last mile into the healthcare market. A total of 30 companies can go through this program in the next four years. We are already looking again for next year’s participants at international conferences. Once again, we see that both the offer itself and the Leipzig location are very well received. The spark of enthusiasm easily jumps over here.”

MEDICAL FORGE Leipzig by biosaxony supports startups and innovative SMEs in bringing their medical devices to the German healthcare market faster. The 12-month accelerator program focuses on industry-specific topics such as regulatory approval, marketing, reimbursement, and clinical evidence. Through individual coaching, mentoring, and a market-specific training program, selected startups are supported in developing their software solutions and devices into finished medical devices and implementing them in the clinical environment. The founders will continue to forge their products and services to bring them to market maturity with help from industry partners, health insurance companies, and clinics.

The program is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection based on a resolution of the German Bundestag. As a result, participants receive a 90 percent subsidy for participation fees.

biosaxony is the Saxon association for biotechnology, medical technology, and the healthcare industry. Its members include companies, scientific institutions, stakeholders, and suppliers in the industry. The network is supplemented by representatives of the user side (for example, clinics and health insurance companies). The network pools the strengths of all member companies and represents their interests in politics and public.

The cluster’s tasks include initiating projects between industry and science, providing services and know-how, and presenting regional expertise to support the value-added expansion of these cross-sectional technologies and strengthen the economic region of Saxony. In addition, the promotion of young innovative companies is one of the main concerns of the network.

• https://www.biosaxony.com/