Life Science Industry in Thuringia

Life science specialists work hard and research harder in Thuringia. Their profound expertise is a big reason why the state’s industry players are so enormously competitive.

Academic training

Around than 5,200 university students are enrolled in study courses closely tied to life sciences. These include i.a.:

Training, further education

Vocational and technical schools in Thuringia train people in the following professions, for example:

• Laboratory technician in biology, physics and chemistry
• Medical laboratory assistant
• Mechatronics technician
• Microtechnologist
• Precision optician
• Industrial mechanic and industrial electrician

Moreover, workers in Thuringia benefit from a comprehensive range of further education and training opportunities in the life sciences sector. In addition to the “Jenaer Bildungszentrum” (training center of Schott, Carl Zeiss and JENOPTIK), the Ilmenau University of Technology and the Jena University of Applied Sciences offer various continuing education programs and science courses.

The Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Informatics at the Ilmenau University of Technology, for example, has been the organizer of the annual “International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering” for up and coming biomedical experts.

Jena’s Beutenberg campus

In keeping with the motto „where life science meets physics“, 3,000 scientists work in Thuringia‘s most internationally acclaimed location for research and development.

At the Beutenberg campus in Jena scientists and experts in 10 university- and non-university-based institutes as well as in 50 young biotechnology and medical technology enterprises make discoveries and blast new trails.

Jena’s Beutenberg campus is home to:

• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF)
• Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI)
• Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (IPHT) (IPHT)
• Leibniz Institute for Natural Products Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute
• Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPBGC)
• Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (MPICE)
• Institute of Applied Physics – Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Center for Molecular Biomedicine – Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Center for Innovation Competence (ZIK) Septomics – Friedrich Schiller University Jena
• Institute for Medical Microbiology, Section Experimental Virology – Jena University Hospital
• BioInstrumention Center (BioCentiv) – Business Incubator
• Technology and Innovation Park Jena (TIP) – Business Incubator

Additional research institutions in Thuringia

Reap the benefits of a technological environment that uniquely combines competencies in biology, chemistry, physics, medicine, biotechnology and microsystems Technology.

• Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), Heilbad Heiligenstadt
• Research Center for Medical Technology and Microbiology (fzmb), Bad Langensalza
• Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Informatics (BMTI), Ilmenau University of Technology
• Institute for Chemistry and Bioengineering, Ilmenau University of Technology

Moreover, there are numerous competency networks in Thuringia which are related closely with life sciences such as OptoNet or medways.

AEROPHARM GmbH
The company has more than 40 years of experience in developing and producing pharmaceutical aerosols and liquids. Within the Sandoz Group – part of the Swiss Novartis Group – it operates as the global development and production center for inhalation preparations and eyedrops (Sandoz Center of Excellence).

ALERE Technologies GmbH
Founded in Jena, the company has been part of Abbott since 2017. As such, it is one of the world leaders in rapid diagnostics at the point of care, with a focus on cardio metabolic disease, infectious disease and toxicology.

Analytik Jena AG
Analytik Jena AG is a global supplier of analysis and automation solutions that enable specific and highly sensitive tests, e.g. by means of high-throughput screening, in the pharmaceutics, life sciences, food and environmental sector. Since 2013, the company belongs to the Swiss Endress+Hauser Group.

Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG ranks among the world’s leading providers of system solutions in the field of ophthalmology. For many years now the company has been able to rely on its outstanding technological competence for developing innovative ophthalmology products.

Bauerfeind AG
Bauerfeind AG is a premier manufacturer of medical devices such as bandages, orthoses, compression stockings and orthopedic inlays. Material and design award winners many times over, Bauerfeind products make a significant contribution to maintaining and restoring health.

Wacker Biotech GmbH
Jena-based Wacker Biotech GmbH has over 25 years of experience in biotechnology. Its cutting-edge site at the Beutenberg campus develops stable, highly efficient processes for the production of biotherapeutics and therapeutic proteins for customers under cGMP conditions.

Additional selected companies:

• Aesculap Suhl GmbH, Suhl
• Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH, Jena
• ASKION GmbH, Gera
• audifon GmbH, Kölleda
• biolitec AG, Jena
• EPSa Elektronik & Präzisionsbau Saalfeld GmbH, Saalfeld
• EVER Pharma Jena GmbH, Jena
• Geratherm Medical AG, Geschwenda
• Gothaplast Verbandpflasterfabrik GmbH, Gotha
• Ibismed Medizintechnik GmbH , Neuhaus am Rennweg
• Jenapharm GmbH & Co. KG, Jena
• Jenoptik AG, Jena
• Königsee Implantate GmbH, Allendorf
• Mathys Orthopädie GmbH, Jena
• NTI - Kahla GmbH Rotary Dental Instruments, Kahla
• Occlutrech GmbH, Jena
• Otto Bock Health Care GmbH, Königsee
• rmw Kabelsysteme GmbH, Crossen a. d. Elster
• Bayer Weimar GmbH & Co. KG, Weimar
• Röchling Medical Neuhaus GmbH & Co. KG, Neuhaus am Rennweg
• Siemens Healthcare GmbH, Röntgenwerk Rudolstadt
• Baxter Medical Systems GmbH + Co. KG, Saalfeld
• Vivisol Deutschland GmbH, Arnstadt