Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) and ProBioGen join forces at the Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies (BC GCT)
The Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) and ProBioGen today announced a major collaboration to manufacture materials for gene and cell therapies. The partnership was unveiled at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies (BC GCT), which features a 4,600 m² state-of-the-art GMP production facility for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). ProBioGen will oversee the design, lead the construction, and and subsequently operate the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) unit. Commissioned by the BIH, the ambitious project will receive €76.5 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space over the next ten years.
The production facility is a cornerstone of a unique innovation hub for gene- and cell-based therapies. The BC GCT, a public-private partnership, will unite research, development and GMP-compliant production under one roof to dramatically speed up the development of new medicines – spanning from initial discovery to clinical application. In addition to the manufacturing site, the BC GCT will house a start-up incubator for gene and cell therapies, operated by a joint venture between Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German pharma group Bayer AG. The incubator’s mission will be to provide start-ups and clinical innovators with powerful infrastructure, world-class expertise and comprehensive support on regulatory and business matters. The ultimate goal is to ensure that innovative therapies reach patients faster, more safely, and with a greater chance of success.
“We are thrilled to have ProBioGen as our operational partner for the GMP facility at the Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies,” says Prof. Christopher Baum, Scientific Director of the BIH and Chief Translational Research Officer of Charité. “ProBioGen’s strong track record and extensive expertise will ensure that start-ups and researchers have access to the development and production capacities, know-how, and quality standards required to translate scientific breakthroughs into advanced therapies. Through this partnership, we are making a significant contribution to strengthening Berlin’s position as a leading life sciences hub and to implementing the High-Tech Agenda.”
“Being chosen to operate the GMP manufacturing facility at the Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies is a privilege and a responsibility we embrace with full commitment," said Dr. Alfred Merz, Chief Executive Officer of ProBioGen. "This facility will be more than a place of production – it will be a catalyst for turning breakthrough science into real treatments for patients. We are proud to bring our in-depth understanding of science, expertise, technologies, resources, and dedication to support the center's mission and to contribute to Germany’s National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-based Therapies.”
Gene- and cell-based therapies (GCTs) are among the most promising fields in modern medicine, targeting the genetic or epigenetic causes of disease and offering curative potential for patients with severe or currently untreatable conditions. Coordinated by the Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) on behalf of the German government, the National Strategy for Gene and Cell-Based Therapies aims to strengthen Germany’s entire GCT value chain — from basic research and clinical development to broad patient accessibility — and secure its global leadership in this cutting-edge medical field.
About Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies
The Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies (BC GCT) is an innovative public-private partnership that brings together research, development, and production of gene and cell therapies under one roof. The initiative was launched by Bayer AG, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité. With a start-up incubator offering space for 15 to 20 companies, as well as a GMP-certified manufacturing facility, the center creates optimal conditions for the translation of novel therapies from the lab to clinical application. Funding from the State of Berlin and the Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space supports the expansion of the infrastructure and ensures the long-term quality and safety of medicinal products. The GMP facility is operated by ProBioGen AG, ensuring compliance with international quality standards. The building is being developed by iQ spaces as project developer and is located on the Bayer campus in Berlin, with completion scheduled for 2028.
About ProBioGen
ProBioGen is a Berlin-based biotech company, a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and technology provider that operates globally. It specializes in developing and manufacturing biopharmaceutical active ingredients, viral vectors and vaccines, while also developing and outlicensing proprietary technologies that enhance product quality and features. Founded in 1994 as a spin-off of Charité, a widely recognized hospital known as one of the best in the world. More than 30 years later, 300 employees work at ProBioGen's two locations in Berlin.