BioCity Campus Leipzig
Synergies for science and business
The BioCity Campus is the heart of life sciences in Leipzig. The dynamic collaboration between business, science and research in Leipzig is especially evident in the Wissenschaftspark, just outside the city centre, spanning over 100,000 square metres. Here key players in life sciences such as biotechnology, bioinformatics, medical technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals work side by side. State-of-the-art laboratory and office facilities provide the ideal environment. At BioCity Leipzig, the centre of the campus, companies conduct research and collaborate with six biotechnology-oriented university chairs and non-university institutions. This environment provides active support for young companies with a focus on life sciences. A direct contact point for technology transfer is Bio-Net GmbH. And don’t forget: there are plenty of rooms and facilities for meetings, seminars and conferences.
The greatest motivation for start-ups is probably a glance at the list of tenants at BioCity Leipzig. Among them are some of Leipzig’s greatest success stories.Vita 34 is Europe’s first private stem cell bank and the largest in the German-speaking region for storing stem cells from umbilical cord blood. BioCity is also where c-LEcta started. Founded in 2004, the company is now active worldwide in the development, production and distribution of enzyme products. c-LEcta has remained true to its roots and will open its new headquarters on the BioCity Campus in 2025.
In addition to companies as well as centres run by the University of Leipzig, the BioCity environment is characterised by internationally renowned research institutions:
- The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology investigates the history of humankind with the help of comparative analyses of different genes, cultures, cognitive abilities, languages and social systems of past and present human populations as well as those of primates closely related to human beings. Much attention has been given to the primate research programme run in collaboration with Zoo Leipzig.
- The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig is the world’s leading centre of its kind and focuses on understanding biological diversity on our planet. Found in 2012, iDiv opened its new research building on the BioCity Campus in 2021.
- The Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) researches and develops specialised solutions at the intersection of medicine, life sciences and engineering.
University of Leipzig and other centres of innovation
From industry newcomers to cutting-edge research
If you are looking for exciting innovations and players in the life sciences sector, there are other locations in Leipzig that will be of interest to you as a conference planner and for your industry meetings.
- The Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of Leipzig, with its Institutes of Biochemistry, Biology and Psychology, is providing the next generation of qualified talent.
- The University of Leipzig’s Faculty of Medicine and the University of Leipzig Medical Center contribute to the strong medical profile of Leipzig as a centre of science. Since 2005, this has been home to the Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS), one of the most important biomedical technology research centres in Germany.
- The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is one of the world’s leading research centres of its kind. It focuses on the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of people and the environment.
- Since 2008, the UFZ’s neighbours in the Wissenschaftspark have included the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ). It is working on a wide range of concepts for the economically viable, ecologically sound and socially acceptable use of biomass as an energy source.
- Research at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences focuses on the neuronal basis of higher brain functions such as language, emotion and social behaviour, music and action.
- The Helmholtz Institute for Metabolic, Obesity and Vascular Research (HI-MAG) investigates the molecular causes of adipose tissue dysfunction in order to develop new therapies for the treatment of obesity and related diseases.
As you can see, there is a long list of exciting topics and players who could be an asset to your conference as speakers. At the same time, you can expect to find an interested audience of professionals here as well.
Meetings and conferences at a location with potential
BIO-Europe, Finance Day Leipzig and future of health xperience
One aspect that makes Leipzig so attractive for the life sciences is that there is still plenty of room for growth. The BioCity Campus alone is under constant development. The next milestone will be the completion of the Innovation Center for new companies in 2027. This will mean even more space for technology-led start-ups. With so much going on, Leipzig is an exciting environment for industry meetings and conferences. In 2022, for example, participants at BIO-Europe saw for themselves the potential of this location. Europe’s largest biotechnology partnering conference provided Leipzig with a unique opportunity to present itself to decision-makers in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and financial sectors. Partners and companies from the life sciences cluster presented themselves at the conference in the Congress Center Leipzig. The international guests were also given a warm welcome at the BioCity Campus.
Finance Day Leipzig 2024 was another conference format for innovation and growth in the life sciences sector. It focused on opportunities to fund innovation and provide founders with valuable contacts with potential investors. Following its successful premiere, the next Finance Day Leipzig will take place in BioCity Leipzig in October 2025.
The future of health is at the heart of the future of health xperience. The conference brings together science, business and politics. There are also a large number of annual congresses in various medical specialities as well as conferences organised by the university and research associations. In early 2025, for example, the 18th Leipzig Research Festival for Life Sciences was held for early career scientists. It is worth taking a look at the congress calendar.
Strong networks for life sciences in Leipzig
Driving and stimulating innovation
This remarkable development is the result of dedicated driving forces and networks. By strategically promoting the life sciences as an innovation cluster, the City of Leipzig is focusing on biotechnology, medical technology and digital healthcare. This includes support programmes for start-ups, international partnerships and invitations to related conferences.
The InvestRegion Leipzig supports companies looking to relocate and expand. The Leipzig for LifeChangers brand was created to market Leipzig internationally as a life sciences hotspot. The website provides a good overview of the cluster’s latest developments and milestones.
Biosaxony, the cluster association for biotechnology, medical technology and the healthcare industry in Saxony, brings together science and industry, supports technology transfer and promotes new companies. Since 2019, for example, there has been Medical Forge – a dedicated accelerator programme for medical technology.
The QualiBioPharma programme also trains and qualifies jobseekers for employment in the manufacturing pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The association is also supporting the further development of the BioCity Campus.
Formats such as the Life Science Stammtisch encourage dialogue and collaboration on the ground. Participating in exhibitions and conferences is also on the agenda, including a joint stand at BIO-Europe 2024 in Stockholm.
Ideal conditions for conferences
From excellent infrastructure to sustainability
The best news for you as a meeting planner in this emerging life sciences hub: Leipzig is also an impressive destination for a conference. With a wide range of conference hotels and venues, including large congress centres, easy accessibility and convenient local transport, as well as varied supporting programmes, there are many reasons to come to Leipzig for your conference. There is also a broad commitment to sustainability. The conference industry is leading the way, as are science and research centres. Many new buildings have been designed with sustainability in mind from the outset. At the Leipzig KUBUS, for example, geothermal energy is used to heat the foyer in winter, coated glass louvres in front of the glass façade help to keep the building cool in summer, and heat is recovered from the exhaust air in the halls. In many respects, Leipzig is ideal for green events. Sounds like another reason to visit Leipzig, doesn’t it?
Conclusion
Leipzig and the life sciences – a combination with a future. And as a conference planner, it offers you a wealth of opportunities. Want to get to know Leipzig better and see for yourself? Or maybe you already have specific plans and are looking for the right local contacts? The Leipzig Convention Bureau will be happy to be your first point of contact and put you in touch with the right people. Whether you contact us by email or phone, we look forward to hearing from you.
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