A person wearing a face mask and glasses stands in a laboratory, illuminated by blue and red light, with many test tubes in front of them.
NRW - AN INNOVATION CENTER FOR BIOTECH IN EUROPE

Biotechnology

Biotech plays a crucial role in many aspects of everyday life 

Whether it is medicines, food or sustainable new products to make the economy less dependent on fossil fuels – in North Rhine-Westphalia, more than 500 life science companies, including 248 with a proven biotechnology focus, work every day to make everyday life safer and healthier.

NRW is a leading innovation center in Europe in this field. About one-fifth of the total turnover of the German biotech industry is generated in NRW – from global players to medium-sized companies to highly specialized start-ups working in newly emerging fields of biotechnology.

In addition, there are 56 universities, research institutes and universities of applied sciences offering, among other things, application-oriented basic research to students from all over the world. This close-knit combination of science and innovative companies is complemented by intensive research in a wide variety of areas: Whether it is novel therapies to fight cancer cells, the production of flavors for the food industry or enzymes in detergents in NRW, innovative products are developed using biotechnology. 


NRW in particular is a very strong location in all areas of biotechnology, due in part to its excellent universities. In addition, there is a good supply of qualified workers in NRW, which ensures not only innovative developments but also their production at the highest level. This and outstanding networking make the state highly attractive for foreign companies.

Dr. Nils Schrader

Head of BIO.NRW Office

56 universities and UASs


offer a biotech focus for students from all over the world

Over 5.1 billion euros in sales


were generated in the biotech industry in 2025

More than 22,000 employees


work for biotech companies

In 22 technology and startup centers


155 biotech and life science companies are located.

From the laboratory to everyday life

Numerous companies in NRW develop products that make life more pleasant

A hand wearing blue gloves holds a glass jar of raspberries.

Phytowelt

A pile of colourful laundry next to washing powder and a measuring jug on a white background.

Henkel

Computer-generated illustration of red blood cells and blue cells under a microscope.

Abalos Therapeutics

A baby in a nappy lies on a blanket, with a pile of other nappies in the background.

Rain Carbon

A woman wearing safety goggles looks through a microscope in a laboratory.

Biotechnology

Startups advance biotech scene in NRW

Numerous biotech companies that are successful today started out as university spin-offs. They received support from the numerous technology and startup centers located in NRW, as these are usually in the immediate vicinity of research institutions. The aim is to optimize the rapid transfer of scientific know-how to the finished product or process and to provide the young start-ups with an infrastructure that is tailored to their needs. The technology centers include the BMZ Ruhr in Bochum, the BioCampus Cologne and the Technology Center Jülich. 

A gloved hand reaches for a Petri dish among several others containing colorful bacterial cultures on a lab table, conveying a scientific research setting.

Dalex Biotech

Blue-toned image of cells with textured surfaces floating in front of blurred DNA strands, conveying a scientific and futuristic atmosphere.

BioSciences GmbH

Gloved hands place strands of hair into a petri dish using tweezers, suggesting a scientific or forensic analysis setting.

Mane Biotech

Related links and information

Photo credits

The photographic material was kindly provided by

© Pencil case, shutterstock.com
© volodyar, shutterstock.com
© Lightspring, shutterstock.com
© tartanparty, shutterstock.com
© Gorodenkoff, shutterstock.com
© Gorodenkoff, shutterstock.com
© Anusorn Nakdee, shutterstock.com
© Tonhom1009, shutterstock.com

Welcome to NRW!

The state's innovation topics unite fields with significant growth potential. They underline how business, science and research are developing joint solutions for tomorrow's challenges.


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