BioRegioSTERN [en] - News feed

Insilico: co-designer of innovative cell factory for fine chemicals

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:18:57 +0100

A new BMBF joint project to transfer systems biology research directly into practical applications is profiting from Insilico Biotechnology’s expertise. The goal is to make Pseudomonas bacterial strains fit for commercial use in the field of industrial biocatalysis. The project will run for three years, coordinated by BASF and financed with approx. EUR 5.5 million. Insilico Biotechnology is the second partner from industry, while all others are university research institutes, mostly from the region around Stuttgart.

immatics Enters Collaboration with Cancer Research UK to Develop Multi-target Rationally Designed Therapeutic Cancer Vaccine

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:12:26 +0100

IMA950 to enter Phase I development for glioblastoma, the most aggressive form of brain cancer

PANATecs applies for authorization in accordance with §13 of the Medicines Act (AMG) to perform tests relevant to release (QC)

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:26:20 +0100

PANATecs GmbH continues its successful development. The Company has now applied to Tübingen Government Offices for authorization to perform tests relevant to release.

Insilico banks on high-performance computing

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 14:16:10 +0100

(Stuttgart) – Insilico Biotechnology is cooperating with HLRS, the High Performance Computing Center Stuttgart, in order to take computations for the fields of industrial and pharmaceutical biotechnology to new superior levels. The joint project, which is being funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, aims at developing methods for using thousands of computational cores simultaneously so that innovative predictions can be made much faster than today.

Novel insights into the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 12:11:42 +0100

In a study carried out within the context of the National Genome Research Network(NGFN) scientists from the Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany, were able to show, for the first time, that the two proteins associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), PINK1 and Parkin, together control the selective removal of damaged mitochondria from cells. The study also explains how this is achieved. The scientists from Tübingen assume that a disruption of the identified mitochondrial clearance mechanism may result in the pathogenesis of PD. (Advance online publication in Nature Cell Biology 24 January 2010)

Evolution caught in the act

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:33:37 +0100

US-German team measures how quickly genomes change

New DTG Young Investigator Award: German Thermoelectric Society awards solid-state physicist from Tübingen

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:55:01 +0100

At its annual meeting in Freiburg, the German Thermoelectric Society (DTG) handed over its DTG Young Investigator Award 2009. Solid-state physicist Dr. Nicola Peranio from Tübingen was awarded for his work on bismuth telluride. The prize, worth €1500, was donated by Micropelt, thermoelectric specialist from Freiburg, and DTG. The DTG Young Investigator Award has been presented for the first time.

Fluorotechnics’ new key Adelaide customer

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:07:46 +0100

21 January 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

The Adelaide Proteomics Centre is the largest and most important proteomics service provider in South Australia and has decided to convert to Fluorotechnics Limited (ASX:FLS) gels and dyes.

‘gelcompany’ becomes new global brand of Fluorotechnics

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:53:40 +0100

2 February 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

Fluorotechnics Limited (ASX:FLS), a global leader in the supply of fluorescence and other protein detection technologies, is changing its trading name and product branding to gelcompany.

Fluorotechnics secures US patent approval for fluorescence technology

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:48:03 +0100

15 June 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

Fluorotechnics Limited (ASX: FLS) has secured one of its most important intellectual property assets after being granted the US patent for its unique fluorescence technology.

Fluorotechnics relocates Australian operations

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:43:40 +0100

15 June 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

Fluorotechnics Limited (ASX:FLS), the global leader in fluorescence and protein technologies, has relocated its Australian office and operations from Macquarie University to Gladesville.

gelcompany appoints Genmall Biotechnology as sales and marketing partner for Taiwan

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:37:28 +0100

16 September 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

gelcompany is pleased to announce the
appointment of Genmall Biotechnology as our sales, marketing and distribution partner for
Taiwan.

gelcompany launches ground-breaking horizontal High Performance Electrophoresis (HPE) system

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:31:48 +0100

25 September 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

Innovative life science tools company,gelcompany today announced the launch of its ground-breaking new horizontal High Performance Electrophoresis (HPE) system - which enables higher resolution, reproducibility and ease-of-use in 1D and 2D gel electrophoresis separations than any other system.

German university study shows superior performance by Gelcompany’s new HPE System

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:57:45 +0100

16 November 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

A study by Germany’s Greifswald University has
confirmed the outstanding performance of Gelcompany’s High Performance Electrophoresis
(HPE) system.

Gelcompany appoints Protea Biosciences as sales and marketing partner for North America

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:45:33 +0100

23 November 2009 – Sydney, Australia:

Gelcompany is pleased to announce the
appointment of Protea Biosciences as our non-exclusive sales, marketing and distribution
partner for the key North American market.

Gelcompany wins $230,000 German government innovation grant

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:38:18 +0100

3 November 2009 – Sydney, Australia and Tubingen, Germany:

Fluorotechnics Limited through its German subsidiary, Gelcompany GmbH has been awarded a €140,000 grant by the
central German government under a program supporting innovations by small and medium size
companies (Zentrales Innvoationsprogramm Mittelstand).

Curetis AG - € 18.5 million Series A Financing Round closed

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 08:59:49 +0100

A consortium of leading life-science venture capital funds invests € 18.5 million in the German medical diagnostics company Curetis AG. This financing will enable Curetis to complete development of its innovative diagnostic products through to market entry.

Harmless or lethal? Insilico Furthers Research on Fungal Infections

Sun, 6 Dec 2009 22:14:09 +0100

Candida albicans is a harmless yeast fungus – at least most of the time. However, if the immune system is weak, then the fungus normally found on everyone’s skin and mucous membranes can become a lethal threat. Insilico Biotechnology is participating in a joint project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), in which interactions between fungus and human host cells are to be studied on the molecular level with the aim of developing new strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and therapy of fungal infections.

Representatives from Singapore’s Biopolis visit the STERN BioRegion

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:52:43 +0100

A delegation of 15 from Biopolis in Singapore took advantage of their visit to „Medica 2009“ in Düsseldorf to get to know the STERN BioRegion. The visitors took part in an interesting programme which gave them insights into the activities of the regional biotech and medtech sectors.

CureVac launches Phase IIa mRNA Vaccine Trial in Prostate Cancer

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:20:18 +0100

CureVac GmbH, the mRNA vaccine company, today announced that the German authorities approved the start of the Phase IIa trial in Prostate Cancer after assessment of the first safety data of lead candidate CV9103, a RNActive®-derived mRNA vaccine. Results so far from the Phase I show CV9103 to be safe and well tolerated.

Alzheimer mice: Microglia cells are neither involved in formation nor clearance of amyloid deposits

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:59:28 +0100

In a study published in Nature Neuroscience Stefan Grathwohl and the team of Mathias Jucker (Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen) managed, in collaboration with the team of Frank Heppner (Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin), to develop a new transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, in whith, microglia cells can be nearly completely ablated. This was prerequisite to go one step further: The scientists analyzed what effect the ablation of microglia cells had on amyloid deposits in the mouse brains. The surprising result: Microglia cells are neither involved in the formation nor in the clearance of amyloid deposits.

"EuroPro+MeD" - a new European Medtech Network has been created - aimed at boosting progress and development

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:59:44 +0200

Under the working title of “EuroPro+MeD”, which stands for European Prosthesis + Medical Devices, BioRegio STERN Management GmbH, Germany, Pôle Technologique de Haute-Champagne, (PTHC) France and the Medical Cluster, Switzerland have signed a strategic partnering agreement to boost joint cross-border cooperation projects between their respective companies and research institutes in the field of medical technology. The partnership was made official on 24 September 2009 under the patronage of Luc Chatel, the French Minister of National Education during the international “PROSTHESIA” conference which took place in Nogent, France.

immatics appoints Carsten Reinhardt as Chief Medical Officer

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:52:15 +0200

immatics biotechnologies GmbH today announced the appointment of Dr Carsten Reinhardt as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) effective October 1, 2009.

Researchers successfully colonize a textile implant with human stem cells

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:04:00 +0200

Stem cells are widely considered a major new hope in medicine because they are capable of differentiating into a broad variety of human cell types. This characteristic makes them particularly interesting for recreating irreversibly damaged tissues, following a heart attack for example, or in cases of injury to the spinal cord.

German research alliance BioTag to develop new biomarker screens to measure tumour response to innovative protein kinase inhibitors

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:15:41 +0200

German research alliance BioTag to develop new biomarker screens to measure tumour response to innovative protein kinase inhibitors

immatics obtains further important EP patents covering its lead product IMA901 and US patent for MUC-1 peptide

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:45:31 +0200

immatics biotechnologies GmbH today announced that the company obtained European patent protection for the composition of matter for its drug candidate IMA901. Patent no. EP1760089 will protect the set of the peptides that form the core of the pharmaceutical compositions of IMA901.

Successful cell-free products – highly promising new start-up in the Life Science Center Esslingen

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:45:58 +0200

The cell biologist Dr. Thomas Graeve has founded Amedrix GmbH in Esslingen. In future, the company will develop and produce innovative, cell-free medical products based on animal collagen for the purpose of wound regeneration and the reconstruction of degenerated soft tissue, for example.

immatics biotechnologies significantly improves XPRESIDENT™ technology platform

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:07:39 +0200

Direct peptide quantification will allow novel approach in antigen discovery

CureVac Begins Clinical Study with mRNA Vaccine in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Thu, 28 May 2009 11:36:57 +0200

Council of German Bioregions elects new spokespersons

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:02:11 +0100

The Council of Bioregions in BIO Deutschland newly elected its spokesperson committee for the next two years at its meeting on the 04.03.09, which took place in Stuttgart at the invitation of the BioRegio STERN Management GmbH in Stuttgart.

Federal funding for new stem cell project at the ZRM -The Tübingen success story continues

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:16:30 +0200

Researchers in Tübingen have successfully cultivated germ cells of adult men to create pluripotent stem cells with a therapeutic potential similar to that of embryonic stem cells, but with much less potential for ethical conflict. Now, with funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, a new project has been launched to characterize these cells in depth and to explore their therapeutic application in regenerative medicine.

Here's looking at you, fellow!

Mon, 2 Mar 2009 14:56:31 +0100

Humans and monkeys are experts in face recognition making them even more akin than previously thought.

immatics wins 29th German Industry’s Innovation Award (Innovationspreis der deutschen Wirtschaft)

Wed, 4 Mar 2009 13:17:26 +0100

immatics biotechnologies GmbH today announced that
it has been awarded the 29th German Industry’s Innovation Award (Innovationspreis der deutschen Wirtschaft) in the „Start-Up“ category.

CureVac Receives IND Approval from the FDA to start its Phase I/IIa mRNA Vaccine Clinical Trial in Prostate Cancer

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 17:00:16 +0100

CureVac GmbH today announced that it has received approval for its Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin a Phase I/IIa clinical study with CV9103, a RNActive® - derived mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine. This mRNA vaccine will be tested in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

CureVac to Start First mRNA Vaccine Clinical Trial in Prostate Cancer

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:36:53 +0100

CureVac GmbH today announced that the German regulatory authority, Paul-Ehrlich-Institute, has approved the Clinical Trial Application CTA to begin a Phase I clinical study with RNActive® - derived mRNA vaccine CV9103. The mRNA vaccine will be tested in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer.

Production line for artificial skin

Wed, 3 Dec 2008 12:03:16 +0100

A fully automated process is set to improve the production of artificial tissue: medical scientists can perform transplants with skin produced in the laboratory. This tissue is also suitable for testing chemicals at a low cost without requiring animal experiments.

Breakthrough: Tübingen Regenerative Medicine Specialists Present Alternatives to Embryonic Stem Cells

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:34:40 +0200

A team of researchers headed by Thomas Skutella, director of the Center for Regenerative Biology and Medicine, has made a major breakthrough in stem cell research. This week, the scientists in Tübingen, with first author Sabine Conrad and in cooperation with colleagues from the University Department of Urology, director Prof. Arnulf Stenzl, present their study on isolating pluripotent human stem cells in the renowned science journal “Nature”, providing a true alternative to ethically controversial embryonic stem cells.

immatics won second prize in European Biotechnica Award 2008

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:33:53 +0200

immatics biotechnologies GmbH is pleased to announce that it has won the second prize in the European Biotechnica Award 2008.

Kirsten Bomblies receives the "Genius Award"

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:06:51 +0200

Kirsten Bomblies from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen was appointed a MacArthur Fellow today. The 34-year-old evolutionary biologist will receive a total of 500,000 dollars (ca. 350,000 euros) over the next five years from the American MacArthur Foundation. The fact that the money is not tied to any particular use makes it a special prize that will enable the fellowship holder to develop her creativity and advance her career.

immatics appoints Paul G. Higham as Chief Executive Officer

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:54:24 +0200

immatics biotechnologies GmbH today announced the appointment of Paul G. Higham as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective August 1, 2008.

immatics receives 3 research grants totaling 1.4 mn € to advance its early-stage cancer immunotherapy programs

Tue, 8 Jul 2008 10:10:21 +0200

immatics biotechnologies GmbH today announced that the company has received grants from three renowned public research funding programs to advance its early-stage cancer immunotherapy programs, with a special focus on glioblastoma and cancer stem cells. The government-sponsored so-called nonrepayable funds add up to more than 1.4 million €.

CureVac: partnership with University of Florida,

Tue, 1 Jul 2008 15:58:50 +0200

CureVac Teams up with University of Florida for Preclinical and Clinical Development of its RNActive®-derived Cancer Vaccine

An award for young scientists in a young discipline - MTZ®-Award for medical Systems Biology

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:12:06 +0200

During the second Conference on Systems Biology of Mammalian Cells (SBMC), which will take place May 22 - 24, 2008 in Dresden, Germany, the MTZ®-Award for medically-oriented Systems Biology will for the first time be presented to young scientists.

immatics launches Phase I/II study of IMA910 cancer vaccine in colorectal cancer

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:09:23 +0200

Second proof-of-concept study by cancer immunotherapy specialist

Artificial micro RNAs in plant breeding

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:52:48 +0200

A new tool for rice genetics allows rice breeders to surgically inactivate genes that confer unwanted properties

4th Biomarker Workshop at the NMI in Reutlingen: Another success

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:41:00 +0100

The Biomarker Workshop held at the NMI in late January has become a fixed date for a growing number of proteomics researchers. With an attendance of 130, this year’s workshop exceeded all previous ones. Those who were keen to find out more about the latest trends and findings were presented with a successful mix of basic and applied research information.

immatics opens office in Munich

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:23:27 +0100

Tuebingen biotech company is expanding

Fast processes, high sales and extremely innovative –biotech companies in the STERN BioRegion

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 11:01:09 +0100

Three companies from the STERN BioRegion receive awards

Regenerative Medicine Initiative Germany Founded

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 09:26:28 +0100

Regenerative Medicine, a highly interdisciplinary field of research that harnesses the body’s own healing abilities, is firmly established in Germany. It encompasses a broad spectrum of activities that range form stem cell biology and molecular imaging to tissue engineering and clinical medicine. Alongside the four dedicated centres in Berlin, Leipzig, Dresden and Hannover, which are funded by the Germany Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG), numerous networks, centres, clusters and active players in regenerative medicine have been established in throughout many German Federal States.

Rules-Based Medicine Merges with EDI GmbH

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 12:15:59 +0100

Acquisition to benefit pharmaceutical, biotechnology and consumer products industries with comprehensive ex vivo biomarker testing platforms to aid pre-clinical and clinical research

Threefold Promotion: Insilico and BioIndustry 2021

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:44:35 +0100

Insilico Biotechnology AG is partner in three out of five clusters belonging to the new research initiative entitled »BioIndustry 2021« which aims at meeting the oncoming challenges facing today’s society – first and foremost changes in climate followed by the ever increasing lack of resources – with innovative projects from the field of white biotechnology.

immatics launches Phase 2 study on cancer vaccine IMA901

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:57:29 +0200

immatics biotechnologies announced the start of a Europe-wide Phase 2 clinical study on its IMA901 product candidate, a peptide-based therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of renal cell cancer.

Regenerative Medicine meets Space Medicine at the 3rd WCRM

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:01:35 +0200

One special highlight of the 3rd World Congress of Regenerative Medicine takes place on October, 20. The Translational Centre for Regenerative Medicine (TRM) will hold a session with the title “Space Medicine meets Regenerative Medicine”.

Schavan strengthens stem cell research

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:03:13 +0200

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research has published guidelines for the funding of research projects focusing on the creation of pluri- or multipotent stem cells.

Space adventure for research fish from Hohenheim

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:13:11 +0200

For tourists, space flights are still expensive and complicated. However, 30 cichlid larvae of the University of Hohenheim are being given this unique opportunity.

International prominence at the 3rd World Congress on Regenerative Medicine

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:23:50 +0200

Organizers of the 3rd World Congress on Regenerative Medicine in Leipzig present another world class speaker: Bernat Soria, the new Spanish Minister of Health and Consumer Protection. Dr. Soria will discuss perspectives in stem cell therapy applicable to diabetes, particularly regarding new experiences in islet transplantation and the derivation of insulin-secreting cells from adult and embryonic sources.

"Top 100" award for Manz Automation AG

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:27:20 +0200

Manz Automation AG has been elected one of the “top 100” most innovative German SMEs. The company is a worldwide leader in the provision of automation, quality assurance and laser processing technologies for the photovoltaics and LCD industries.

CureVac awarded “Selected Landmark” in “Land of Ideas” contest

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:59:04 +0100

On August 27, 2007 the CureVac GmbH received the “Selected Landmark 2007” prize.

Full but sick

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:24:24 +0200

“Hidden hunger” is a disease caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals. In a three-year study, agrarian economist Dr. Alexander J. Stein of the University of Hohenheim calculated that the people concerned could be helped more comprehensively and more economically with naturally enriched rice and wheat than with measures that have previously been used such as the distribution of synthetic vitamin preparations. New seeds may help alleviate hunger concealed by vitamin and mineral deficiencies in developing countries

GO-Bio 2007: Research team from Tübingen among the winners

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 14:50:16 +0200

Innovative anti-cancer drugs must be available for clinical treatment a lot quicker and more efficiently than in the past. This is the goal of the new GO-Bio project of the Tübingen researchers. The most important strategy for success: research, production and clinical testing take place under one roof and are accompanied by a university start-up company.

One species, many genomes

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:18:41 +0200

Faster growth, darker leaves, a different way of branching - wild varieties of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana are often substantially different from the laboratory strain of this small mustard plant, a favorite of many plant biologists. Which detailed differences distinguish the genomes of strains from the polar circle or the subtropics, from America, Africa or Asia has been investigated for the first time by research teams from Tübingen, Germany, and California led by Detlef Weigel from the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology. The results were surprising: The extent of the genetic differences far exceeds the expectations for such a streamlined genome, as the scientists write in this week’s edition of Science magazine.

Journey into the brain

Wed, 1 Aug 2007 12:34:51 +0200

Thoughts are colourful – at least when seen through a magnetic resonance imager. However, it is still unclear how the brain generates sentences and images. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics now hope to achieve deeper insights using the new Magnetic Resonance Centre.

CureVac Receives an Additional EUR 13 Million in a Second Closing of its Series B Financing

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 10:05:24 +0200

Series B financing now totaling EUR 35 million

Biosensors for anti-terror defence

Tue, 3 Jul 2007 11:07:56 +0200

The Steinbeis Europa Zentrum has helped to acquire European funds for the transnational DINAMICS project and establish it on an EU level.

"Health region of the future" competition to start in autumn 2007

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 12:06:37 +0200

At the recent Medicine and Health congress in Berlin, Federal Research Minister Annette Schavan announced the new competition “Health region of the future”.

CureVac and NMI Reutlingen Receive VBU Cooperation Award

Mon, 2 Jul 2007 08:51:42 +0200

CureVac GmbH and NMI, the Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tübingen, have jointly developed a process for the production and characterization of ribonucleic acid (RNA)-based agents that is compliant to the regulatory requirements under “Good Manufacturing Practice“ (GMP).

Attempto Awards 2007

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:42:12 +0200

This year’s Attempto Awards were conferred on Dr. Manuela Nowotny and Dr. Antonino Casile. The awards, to the tune of €7,500 each, were presented to the two junior researchers at the general meeting of the Unibund (Association of the Friends of the University of Tübingen) held on 15th May 2007.

Swimwear which remains dry - A current bionic development of the ITV Denkendorf

Mon, 7 May 2007 10:22:17 +0200

Scientists of the ITV Denkendorf headed by Dr. Thomas Stegmaier have developed a fabric the surface of which remains dry under water. A thin air layer encloses the textile and keeps it dry.

Stronger networking between research and business

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:41:52 +0200

New shared offices at the Tübingen Technology Park for ZRM and BioRegio STERN

State Research Prize for Dieter H. Wolf

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:47:49 +0200

The biochemist Prof. Wolf receives the prize for his groundbreaking results from more than 30 years of research in the field of regulated protein degradation (proteolysis) in cells.

State Research Prize for Dieter H. Wolf

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:47:49 +0200

The biochemist Prof. Wolf receives the prize for his groundbreaking results from more than 30 years of research in the field of regulated protein degradation (proteolysis) in cells.

EU project "IMP³rove" for more innovation and competitiveness in Germany and Europe

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 10:35:02 +0200

“IMP³rove” consortium, headed by A.T. Kearney and the Fraunhofer Society, seeks to establish effective innovation management in small and midsize enterprises (SMEs)

Tumour Centre in Tübingen is one of Germany’s top four

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:37:50 +0200

The German Cancer Aid named the Südwestdeutsche Tumorzentrum – CCC Comprehensive Cancer Centre Tübingen as one of four oncological university centres.

immatics granted orphan drug status for therapeutic cancer vaccine IMA901

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 22:39:30 +0100

With the consent of the EU Commission, Tuebingen-based biotech company immatics has been granted orphan drug status from the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for its product candidate IMA901 for the treatment of renal cell cancer.

Chip enables blind people to gain impressions of vision

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:39:20 +0200

Initial results of the pilot study for the examination of the efficacy and tolerability of a sub-retinal chip implant in blind patients

BioRegio STERN Management GmbH will be attending BIO 2007 in Boston from 6 - 9 May

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:24:10 +0100

As in the past years, BioRegio STERN Management GmbH will be representing the BioRegion in 2007 from 6 – 9 May during the world’s biggest biotechnology event in Boston.

The 13th. Biotech & Finance Forum will take place in Stuttgart on 18 June 2007

Mon, 21 May 2007 08:44:15 +0200

The STERN BioRegion will host the Biotech & Finance Forum 2007 in Stuttgart for the first time.

Arthro Kinetics plc – CaReS® Regulatory Authorization in Germany

Fri, 16 Feb 2007 22:58:09 +0100

Arthro Kinetics plc, the orthopaedics company dedicated to regenerating joint mobility and spinal disc function announces authorization of the first German hospital for the procurement of cartilage cell and blood under Paragraph 13 of the German Pharmaceutical Act.

immatics receives €40 million in second round of funding / Largest private biotech financing round in Germany since 2001

Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:06:40 +0100

immatics biotechnologies GmbH, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of peptide-based immuno-therapeutic substances for the treatment of cancers, is receiving €40 million in a second round of financing.

Final closing of Munich Venture Partners fund

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:27:39 +0100

A fund created by the German venture capital firm Munich Venture Partners (MVP) in cooperation with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, with the aim of providing capital for innovative high-tech companies, has been closed after successfully raising approximately €51 million ($70 million). The fund’s investment activities will focus largely on support for startup ventures created as spin-offs from the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

flyion Enters Indian and Chinese Market

Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:53:50 +0100

The German biotechnology company flyion has successfully entered the Indian and Chinese market by selling two Flyscreen automated patch clamp units in Bangalore and Beijing, respectively.

First biogeneric therapeutic protein from Fraunhofer Institute introduced to the market

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:14:31 +0100

Interferon-beta is used for multiple sclerosis therapy. An interferon-beta protein developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Stuttgart, Germany, in collaboration with CinnaGen company, Tehran, Iran, is now the first therapeutic protein from a Fraunhofer laboratory to be approved as biogeneric / biosimilar medicine.

Biotechnology is back

Thu, 8 Feb 2007 10:50:08 +0100

Dr. Christian Patermann of the Directorate-General for Research at the European Commission presented the world’s largest research support programme in Stuttgart

“GO Bio”: New biofunctional surfaces on the way to market

Fri, 2 Feb 2007 11:04:15 +0100

One of the twelve winners of the Germany-wide “GO Bio” promotional competition lives and works in Stuttgart. Dr. Raquel Martin is a biophysicist and designs nanostructured surfaces for use in medicine at the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Metals Research.

Billions for biotech research - will some go to the STERN BioRegion?

Wed, 27 Dec 2006 15:58:21 +0100

The European Commission director, Directorate-General for Research, Directorate E - ‘Biotechnologies, Agriculture, Food’, Dr. Christian Patermann, will once again be visiting the Stuttgart region at the invitation of BioRegio STERN Management GmbH. Dr. Patermann was previously a guest in the region in 2004 in connection with an event on the theme of ŒEU Research Support for the Life Sciences¹. “This second visit once again highlights the importance of the STERN BioRegion within Europe,” stresses Dr. Klaus Eichenberg, Managing Director of BioRegio STERN Management GmbH.

Natural environment for artificial tissue

Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:35:26 +0100

During the research for his degree thesis at the Fraunhofer Institute of Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology, Jan Hansmann developed a reactor enabling the optimal cultivation of in-vitro tissue containing natural blood vessels. The computer-assisted cell culture container simulates the body’s natural environment, from arterial pressure to temperature. At the Annual Meeting of the Fraunhofer Institutes on 18th October 2006 in Bremen, Hansmann was awarded the 1st Hugo Geiger Prize for the Life Sciences.

Beetle Feet Stick to their Promises

Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:40:24 +0100

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research in Stuttgart, joining forces with Gottlieb Binder GmbH in Holzgerlingen, are developing new kinds of adhesive material modeled on the soles of insects’ feet.

immatics successfully concludes Phase 1 clinical study on potential renal cell

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 08:40:51 +0200

immatics, a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the development of peptide-based immunotherapeutic substances for the treatment of cancers, today announced the successful conclusion of its first Phase 1 clinical study on vaccine IMA901 against renal cell cancer. IMA901 is a combination of 10 different peptide antigens that can be identified as so-called tumorassociated antigens among the majority of renal cell cancer patients. The purpose of these antigens is to specifically activate the human immune system against cancer cells, thus mobilizing the body’s own self-defense mechanisms.

The miniature MRI for mice and rats

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:07:58 +0200

The University Hospital in Tübingen (UKT) has put an animal MRI scanner into operation that is specifically designed for mice and rats. According to hospital representatives, UKT now has one of the best-equipped laboratories for animal experiments in Europe.

Hohenheim biologists attained top publication performance

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:38:11 +0200

The biologists at the University of Hohenheim are among the top as far as the number of scientific publications is concerned. This is the result obtained in the latest ranking undertaken by the Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (CHE; Centre for Higher Education Development).

Arthro Kinetics plc – UK distributor appointed

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:06:32 +0200

Arthro Kinetics plc, the pioneer orthopaedics company dedicated to regenerating joint mobility and spinal disc function, announces that it has signed an agreement with Plus Orthopedics UK. (“Plus”) to market CaReS® in the UK. The agreement is for a three-year term and the Company expects that the agreement will extend to incorporate the full range of the Company’s biologic knee cartilage regeneration products in the future.

Alzheimer-like brain pathology induced in mice by a prion-like mechanism

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 10:25:22 +0200

Researchers from the Hertie-Institute show that abnormal protein deposits linked to Alzheimer’s disease can be triggered in the brains of transgenic mice by a mechanism similar to that involved in prion diseases.

University of Hohenheim: more space for research and education

Wed, 11 Oct 2006 09:25:31 +0200

The University of Hohenheim gets the go-ahead for the construction of the new Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology.

Australian Joint Venture Agreement Signed

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 12:15:17 +0200

Arthro Kinetics plc, the pioneer orthopaedics company dedicated to regenerating joint mobility and spinal disc function, announces a strategic alliance with Australian Biotechnologies Pty Ltd, Sydney, to manufacture and distribute the companies advanced bio-implant products in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, a secondary agreement has been signed that allows the company to produce the implants at the Australian Biotechnologies facility for export into South East Asian countries, enabling the company to offer a cost competitive solution for this rapidly expanding region.

CyBio AG acquired accelab GmbH – an independent integrator of systems for lab automation

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 12:03:25 +0200

CyBio AG, Jena (German Stock Exchange: General Standard, ISIN-Number DE0005412308) acquired about 78 % shares of accelab GmbH, located in Kusterdingen, district Tübingen. The remaining shares are held by executive management and leading employees. Currently accelab employs 23 members of staff and offers customized automation - and software solutions to its customers in the pharmaceutical-, chemical-, cosmetics – and food industry.

BACS breathes perception into robots

Mon, 7 Aug 2006 12:14:08 +0200

The Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics is a partner in the Integrated Research Project BACS (Bayesian Approach to Cognitive Systems), which is being sponsored by the EU and will run until 2010. In this project, researchers are investigating the extent to which Bayes’ theorem can be used in artificial systems capable of managing complex tasks in a real world environment. The Bayesian theorem is a model for rational judgment when only uncertain and incomplete information is available.

New technology transfer brochure of Stuttgart University

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:59:11 +0200

The new technology transfer brochure entitled “Research – Development – Consulting” provides a quick overview of the know-how available at approximately 150 institutes of Stuttgart University and associated research institutions. Experts from industry, administration, politics and other research institutions will find service offerings in the fields of basic and applied science, contract research and testing.

Genedata and Insilico in Systems Biology Collaboration

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:40:04 +0200

Genedata and Insilico Biotechnology will work together using systems biology to support life science companies enhance their biotechnological production methods. The collaboration will combine Genedata’s computational systems for genomics data management and analysis with Insilico’s pathway simulation tools.

BACS breathes perception into robots

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:33:02 +0200

Anthony W. Gummer has been elected a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America

Mon, 3 Jul 2006 10:01:38 +0200

Anthony W. Gummer, Ph.D., university professor in the Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine at the Tübingen University, has been elected a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. The fellowship acknowledges his contributions to understanding the mechanics of mammalian and avian cochleae.

Nano Forum of the ITV Denkendorf receives great feedback

Thu, 18 May 2006 21:04:41 +0200

On 6th April 2006, more than 200 people attended the Nano Forum to get first-hand information about the self-cleaning effect of textiles. The ITV Denkendorf presented its quality standard for self-cleaning textiles.

NMI in Reutlingen to be given 1 million euros from the Zukunftsoffensive programme

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:37:13 +0200

At the end of March, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Economics Ernst Pfister announced that the NMI Natural and Medical Sciences Institute in Reutlingen will be granted funds of up to 1 million euros from the “Innovation and Excellence” Zukunftsoffensive IV programme. “The granting of funds is the most important investment in the state’s biotechnology,” said the Minister.

BioRegio STERN will take active part in BIO 2006, the largest biotech exhibition in the world, from 9 to 12 April in Chicago, USA

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 10:24:44 +0200

You are most welcome to visit us at booth number 1963-42. There you can find out all about biotechnology in the STERN region as well as gather information on the internet portal “regenerationnet” and BioStar 2006, the 2nd. International Congress on Regenerative Biology.

Hohenheim experts on German TV – "What we eat" series starts on 9th April 2006

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:16:12 +0200

The German ZDF.umwelt and the University of Hohenheim are looking into the secrets behind what we eat. The series of programmes starts with “Functional Eggs” which will be broadcast on 9th April 2006 at 1.15 p.m.

Artificial limbs that walk natural

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 12:16:22 +0200

A new type of prosthetic foot imitates the natural walking motion so convincingly that you have to take a second look to realize its user is wearing a prosthesis – purely mechanical and entirely without elaborate electronics.

immatics biotechnologies - Cancer vaccine IMA901 to be tested in six European locations

Mon, 27 Mar 2006 12:21:34 +0200

Recruitment goal for Phase 1 study reached sooner than planned

The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Tribute for UNESCO’s 60th anniversary is awarded to Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 09:58:39 +0100

UNESCO has just turned 60. To celebrate this event, during ceremonies on the evening of March 2, L’ORÉAL and UNESCO awarded a special tribute to Professor Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, 1995 Nobel Prize in Medicine, “For her efforts in supporting highly qualified women with children to facilitate their progress in science.”

Arthro Kinetics – First day’s dealings in shares of first German healthcare company on AIM

Thu, 2 Mar 2006 19:46:49 +0100

Arthro Kinetics plc (“Arthro Kinetics” or “the Company”), the orthopaedic company dedicated to regenerating joint mobility and spinal disc function, announces the start today of dealings in its ordinary shares on AIM under the ticker symbol “AKI” (ISIN-Code:GB00B0XQ4466).

BioRegio STERN interview with Robert Guilleaume, Managing Director of Esslingen-based Arthro Kinetics plc, on the occasion of the company's flotation on 2 March 2006

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 10:51:37 +0200

As the company’s Managing Director, what has the flotation of Arthro Kinetics plc been like for you?
It has been a really challenging experience in every regard. This is an event that requires your full concentration. I haven’t even had time to enjoy a hot meal for the last week, but the tension is now beginning to ease and giving way to a sense of satisfaction that the flotation has been successful.

Milestone in the treatment of sickness

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 11:08:35 +0100

The Universities of Stuttgart and Tübingen have founded the first Inter-University Centre for Medical Technology (IZST) in Germany.
The Centre’s objective is to strengthen the cooperation between scientists working in medical technology development at the two universities and industrial partners through the setting up of joint research and education projects. The research programme is divided into eight clusters and deals with three major work areas.

Revamp of the environmental studies Master’s course

Tue, 24 Jan 2006 11:05:25 +0100

Since the mid-1980s, four universities in Baden-Württemberg have been jointly offering a Master’s course in environmental studies.

Breakthrough in plant stem cell research

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 12:42:07 +0100

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Tübingen have discovered how plants control the number of their stem cells. They have now uncovered a feedback mechanism involving a growth-enhancing hormone and a regulatory protein that controls the number of stem cells that the plant produces (Nature, December 22, 2005). The results are of great importance for all stem cell research.

PANATecs GmbH, Bruker Daltonik GmbH, and the University of Goettingen

Mon, 6 Feb 2006 14:39:39 +0100

Bruker Daltonik GmbH, the University of Goettingen and German biotech company PANATecs GmbH today announced a new development collaboration in protein biomarker discovery and molecular diagnostics research based on massspectrometry. PANATecs will apply Bruker Daltonics’ CLINPROT(TM) tools for biomarker discovery, profiling and identification in the field of rheumatoid arthritis research and development.

immatics launches Phase I clinical study on cancer vaccine IMA901

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 13:31:25 +0100

immatics biotechnologies GmbH, a
leader in the development of peptide-based immunotherapeutic substances for the treatment of cancers, announces the beginning of a Phase I clinical study on its 5 product candidate IMA901.

REMEDY Support Tool for Tissue Engineering Industry online

Wed, 7 Nov 2007 10:22:26 +0100

The EU-innovation project REMEDY supports the innovation process of SME in the field of Tissue Engineering. The project developed in co-operation with external partners a support tool as well as specific services. This model is suited to foster the Tissue Engineering industry in sustainable network structures from idea to market entry.

m-phasys and Fraunhofer Institute to Collaborate on GPCR Antibodies for Therapeutic and Diagnostic use

Wed, 1 Feb 2006 15:56:45 +0100

m-phasys GmbH and the Fraunhofer Centre for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME today announced the signing of a collaboration agreement aimed at the generation of monoclonal antibodies to human GPCR cancer targets.

Identifying Synergies - Biotech meets Medtech

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 10:07:54 +0200

In cooperation with the Centre of Excellence for Minimally Invasive Medicine & Technology Tübingen-Tuttlingen (MITT), BioRegio STERN Management GmbH is organising a twofold event in order to instigate synergies between biotechnology and medical technology.

Taster course in Tübingen for young women

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 10:00:59 +0200

The three-day event will provide young women with comprehensive information on courses of studies in the natural sciences and information science.

High-Tech Start-Up Fund from the "Partners for Innovation" launched

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 09:53:33 +0200

The High-Tech Start-Up Fund is a joint project of the German government, BASF, German Telekom and Siemens, as well as the KfW group of banks as part of the “Partner for Innovation” initiative. Over the next five years, €262 million will be set aside for the fund, including €240 million from the federal budget.

First Announcement – BioStar 2006

Wed, 18 Jan 2006 13:41:28 +0100

On behalf of the scientific and organising committees we are pleased to announce that BioStar 2006, the 2nd International Congress on Regenerative Biology will be held jointly with the 2nd International Congress on Bio-Nanointerface (ICBN 2006) from October 9 to 12, 2006 at the “Liederhalle” in Stuttgart.

CaReS® - Permission for the clinical application in the USA received

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:44:56 +0200

As the first and only non American enterprise the Ars Arthro AG (Esslingen) receives approval to the IND application for the clinical application of the Cartilage-Regeneration Technology CaReS® in the US-American market from the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FFE - Fraunhofer supports setting up business

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 15:19:44 +0200

On 11th July 2005 the board of directors of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft resolved a new pilot-project: FFE - Fraunhofer supports setting up business.

ASK-chip shall enable targeted functional analysis of the human kinome

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:25:29 +0200

NMI, MorphoSys Antibodies by Design and ProQinase receive BMBF-promotion for-Kinome-project.

“Long Science Night” - Research at your Finger Tips

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:37:56 +0200

The Medical Faculty of the University of Tübingen is organising the first “Long Science Night” on Saturday, 7th May from 6pm – 12 am.

6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development – Opportunities for SMEs

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:38:32 +0200

On behalf of the International Lake Constance Conference and regional Chambers of Industry and Commerce, the Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum is organising an information session for SMEs in Constance on 20 April.

Innovation Contest 2005 Supporting Medical Engineering

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:39:10 +0200

Since 1999, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has organised innovation contests focusing on medical engineering which complement existing research funding programmes. This year’s innovation contest again addresses particular innovative and original research and development concepts in medical engineering.

STERN Invites You on a Nostalgic Train Journey to the Upcoming BMBF Biotechnology Days

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:39:58 +0200

Prior to the BMBF Biotechnology Days 2005 held in Stuttgart on 25th April, STERN BioRegion has invited the participants to enjoy a nostalgic steam train journey through the region.

DFG To Prolong Funding for Tübingen University’s “Chemistry in Interphases” Graduate College

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:40:30 +0200

Over one million euros granted for interdisciplinary cooperation

immatics biotechnologies adds to management team

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:58:24 +0200

Directors from BrainLAB and Intercell switch to Tübingen biotech company

Software to Detect Pathogens

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:41:34 +0200

Connected (bwcon) business incentive awarded a special prize for excellent research in open source programming to the Department of Medical Biometry, University of Tübingen. The prize, presented for the first time at the doIT Software Research Conference, was awarded to the university department for its “InterSim” software which is able to generate quantitative simulations of infectious epidemics.

Creating skin from hair – transplants heal chronic wounds

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:42:05 +0200

Leipzig-based euroderm GmbH transfers production of skin transplants to Stuttgart

Field-Grown Electricity

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:47:00 +0200

Electricity and heat produced from maize and other energy-yielding crops: As of 1 August 2004, the “Renewable Energies Law” (EEG) guarantees operators of biogas plants run with renewable raw materials a payment of 20 cents per kilowatt hour – for a minimum of 20 years. This is a price at which it becomes profitable to cultivate maize and other crop varieties. However, the current cultivation area may be insufficient for future yield requirements. New crops, new technologies, sustainable cultivation, as well as economic and environmental questions were discussed at the 1st Hohenheim Energy Crop Conference on 18 September 2004.

New President for Retina Implant AG

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:47:36 +0200

As of October 1, the Board of Directors of Retina Implant AG, Tübingen, has appointed Dr. Walter-G. Wrobel new President and CEO of the company.

“Jugend forscht” Youth Science Competition

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:48:58 +0200

With the motto “Youth Research – The next level” the 2005 youth science competition is already underway.

BMBF to Support Innovative Therapies With 32 Million Euros

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:42:36 +0200

BMBF supports the transfer from theoretical research into new medical therapies.

Zülch Prize 2004: A Sharp View of Brain Structures and Functions

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:44:51 +0200

Prof. Dr. Richard Frackowiak, University College London, UK, and Prof. Dr. Nikos Logothetis, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, are this year’s Zülch Prize recipients.

Health and Safety in the Laboratory – How to Set Up a Company Safely!

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:49:30 +0200

When setting up a laboratory, many things have to be considered to make sure that every aspect of the work is safe. The brochure “Health and Safety in the Laboratory” provides information on the comprehensive regulations covering all aspects of health and safety in the workplace.

How Important is Nanotechnology for Europe – The Commission Launches an Open Consultation

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:51:46 +0200

The European Commission is proposing an integrated and responsible approach for developing nanosciences and nanotechnologies. A survey is to provide the views of the European people on this cutting-edge technology.

Nature Neuroscience:Transgenic Mouse Model for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:52:22 +0200

Researchers at the newly-founded Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH) at the University Hospital in Tübingen have, for the first time, developed a mouse model for cerebral amyloid angiopathy which is strikingly similar to the human form of the disease.

Tübingen Scientists to Receive Award for Medical Research

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:50:09 +0200

For their excellent research at the University Hospital of Tübingen, Kirsten Lauber and Max Topp received awards granted by the Glaxo Smith Kline Foundation for the promotion and acceptance of biomedical research in Germany.

Dr. C. Patermann, Research Directorate-General of the European Commission, is Visiting the BioRegion STERN

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:59:14 +0200

“EU Research Support for the Life Sciences” – an informational seminar organised by the BioRegio STERN Management GmbH and the Stuttgart Region Economic Development Corporation (WRS) will take place on 9 September 2004. One special guest will be Dr. Christian Patermann, Research Directorate-General of the European Commission.

Summer Festival Under a Lucky Star

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 15:22:51 +0200

The summer festival on 20 July, jointly organised by the BioRegio STERN Management GmbH, the Technologiepark Tübingen-Reutlingen GmbH and the Verein zur Förderung der Biotechnologie, was a complete success.

BioSTAR 2004-Science in exchange: First International Congress on Regenerative Biology, 4.-6. November 2004

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:50:53 +0200

First International Congress on Regenerative Biology takes place in Stuttgart

EMBL Technology Fund Invests in immatics biotechnologies

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:56:07 +0200

The EMBL Technology Fund (ETF), Heidelberg, has invested 0.5 million euro in immatics biotechnologies GmbH, Tübingen, joining an already impressive list of investors which includes Wellington Partners, 3i Group, Grazia Equity, merifin Capital and SEED/l-EA. With the support of the ETF the total sum of immatics’ first round of financing has reached 8.25 million euro. The immatics biotechnology company based in Tübingen uses proprietary technologies to identify and validate new active substances for the treatment of different types of cancer.

Licence for First German Knowledge Radio

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 11:56:39 +0200

Germany’s first radio station focusing primarily on ‚Äòknowledge’ will go on air in the Stuttgart region in autumn.

Approximately 14 Million Euro Allocated to Projects in the Field of Regenerative Biotechnology

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 12:01:17 +0200

In the lead up to the BMBF Biotechnology Days in Jena (26 – 27 April 2004), the BMBF announced that 22 projects focusing on tissue engineering will be funded with a total of 14 million euro over the next three years.