GeneNovate Investors' Day

The importance of gene and cell therapies as well as tissue therapeutics (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products) is steadily increasing worldwide. In particular, patients with rare diseases - at least affecting 4 million people in Germany - and otherwise untreatable cancer patients can benefit from treatment in the long term. Technological advances, such as the expansion of the use of artificial intelligence, are further dynamizing the field.

Sixteen gene therapies and one cell therapy are currently approved in Europe (as of December 2024, vfa). The number of clinical trials worldwide is constantly increasing. Groundbreaking developments are on the horizon for this innovative business field, with sales of up to EUR 27.9 billion expected by 2026. The German government has also recognized the potential of these innovative therapies. In a National Strategy for Gene- and Cell-Based Therapies, concrete measures have been defined to improve the framework conditions, e.g. in research and development, regulation or manufacturing practice.  One initiative is the GeneNovate Entrepreneurship Programme in the field of gene and cell therapies, which, for the second time in 2025, prepares participants from research and science who are interested in founding a company for the topic of spin-offs from the academic environment and accompanies them for six months. Bringing together different stakeholders is another key pillar of the strategy to facilitate the dialogue across disciplinary, sectoral, regional and national boundaries and thus accelerates translation.

This is where the GeneNovate Investors' Day comes in: without smart investments and relevant expert mentoring, no new therapies! GeneNovate Investors' Day is a networking event for scientific, translationally oriented project teams, international startups, investors and experts from science, industry and politics. Discover with us the latest developments in the field of gene and cell therapies and promising investment opportunities.  Find out more in exciting panels on key topics such as the particular features of the value chain, investment specifics or international best practices. In the heart of Berlin, we create the right atmosphere for personal exchange!

This website will be continuously updated over the next few weeks. Visit the website regularly to find out more about our excellent Advisory Board, the program design and opportunities for participation!

Overview Dates

• June 26: Final event of the GeneNovate Entrepreneurship Programme with focus on innovations in the field of Gene and Cell Therapies
  Location: Akademie der Künste, Berlin
• June 26: Exclusive Evening Reception
  Location: French Embassy, Berlin | by invitation only
  In cooperation with French Embassy in Berlin and Stiftung Charité
• June 27: Parliamentary Breakfast
  Location: Käfer Restaurant im Bundestag, Berlin | by invitation only
  In cooperation with Bio Deutschland and Thermo Fisher Scientific

• June 27: GeneNovate Investors' Day
  Location: Akademie der Künste, Berlin
  This event is supported by the following partners: 
  Berlin Partner & HealthCapital, BPI, cytiva, , Nuvisan, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Thermo Fisher & vfa.

   

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or partner of the event, there are various opportunities available to you. This proposal includes a selection of package options to choose from.

This event is supported by the following partners: 
Bayer Co.Lab, Berlin Center for Gene and Cell Therapies, Berlin Partner & HealthCapital, BIO Deutschland, BPI, Cytiva, Gilead/Kite, Nuvisan, Terumo Blood and Cell Technologies, Thermo Fisher Scientific & vfa.

The Board advises the Berlin Institute of Health on program design, the selection of startups and acts as a multiplier. Learn more about the members of the Advisory Board here.

The application phase has ended and we will evaluate the applications submitted by the beginning of March 2025.

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Application period: November 1, 2024 to 24 January 24, 2025

Focus on: Start-ups and late-stage academic projects in the field of gene- and cell-based innovations

Definition: International gene- and cell-based therapies (GCT) are defined here as the following methods, among others:

• Therapeutic approaches with advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs):
  • Somatic cell therapeutics (for example in the form of stem cells, immune system cells or mesenchymal stromal cells, among others)
  • Gene therapeutics in the form of substitution, addition or suppression therapies using viral and non-viral vectors or genome editing
  • Tissue engineering products such as the production of tissues for surgical use, including the use of novel biomaterials
• Therapeutic approaches with novel biological products, such as mRNA- and other nucleic acid-based methods, extracellular vesicles or exosomes
• Other approaches of this type in the context of gene- and cell-based therapies

Benefits:

• Participate and pitch at GeneNovate Investors' Day on 27 June 2025
• Connect with relevant key investors and industry leaders
• Benefit from expert selection by a jury comprising academic representatives, public and private investors
• Enhance your presentation with mandatory pitch training in April/May 2025
• Travel support: We cover part of the travel and accommodation costs

How to apply:

• Create an account on our application website and complete the online application form.
• All applications submitted by the deadline will undergo a comprehensive review based on formal criteria.
• Projects and start-ups will be selected based on key factors: originality, financial need, and potential impact.
• A pitch deck summarizing your planned business model.
• An optional 3-minute video.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase your innovative ideas and accelerate your journey in the field of gene and cell-based therapies!

Start your application today!