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11. BioRiver Boost! 2024

Network and business contacts that matter

What is the BioRiver Boost!

  • Feedback from the market
  • The BioRiver Boost! Award
  • Membership of BioRiver e.V.
  • Coaching
  • Pitchtraining PR
  • BioRiver Boost! is a competition for start-up projects and very early-stage start-ups to present themselves to the industry, which has been organised once a year since 2004 by the industry association BioRiver -Life Science im Rheinland e.V..
  • These companies and investors make up our 2024 jury: JohnsonJohnson, BAYERPharma, BAYERCropScience, Qiagen, Miltenyi Biotec, LONZA, UCB, NRW.Bank and High-Tech Gründerfonds.
  • The three best start-ups from all areas of life sciences will receive the BioRiver Boost! award. They also receive customised coaching from experienced managers, professional marketing support and a one-year free membership in BioRiver e.V.
  • Approx. 2 years before to approx. 2 years after the start-up: in this phase, young companies particularly benefit from participating in BioRiver Boost! This means that scientific start-up projects are also invited to apply.
  • Founders are invited to apply via the online form from now until 26 August 2024. After the deadline, the jury will select the best 8 applications as finalists. The finalists will be invited to professional pitch training in Düsseldorf to prepare for the presentation.
  • 27 September is the day of the decision. All finalists present themselves with an 8-minute pitch and then answer questions from the jury and the expert audience. The jury meeting will take place on the same day, where the winners will be chosen. The award ceremony for the winners is the festive conclusion of the day.
  • Startups from all areas of life sciences and biotech are called for application. Start-up projects in the fields of immunology, neurology and oncology are especially encouraged. All applications are treated equally.

Get to know the jury

Dr. Bettina Möckel

QIAGEN GmbH, Vice President
Corporate Business Development
Chairwoman of BioRiver e.V.

Curriculum Vitae

Current position
QIAGEN GmbH, Vice President Corporate Business Development

Dr. Ralf Angermund

Janssen Germany
Therapeutic Area Director Hematology, Early Innovation Partner

Curriculum Vitae

Intermediate positions: Medical Affairs in various positions in Germany
and EMEA 1999 – 2021.
Education: Internal medicine subspecialty: Hematology and internal
oncology. 1999 – 1999 University of
Düsseldorf. Promotion, Medicine
1984 – 1991

Anthony Gemmell

Johnson Johnson Innovation EMEA Global Early Innovation Partnering Lead Cardiovascular, Metabolic, Retinal Pulmonary Head EMEA Pharma Early Innovation Partnering Network

Curriculum Vitae
Anthony is responsible for the global strategic oversight of Janssen’s cardiovascular, metabolic, retinal and pulmonary early stage transactions. In addition to this role, Anthony, along with his team of Country Early Innovation Partnering Leads, identifies outside science and technologies in areas of strategic value to our pharmaceutical business. His team also explores new models to support RD collaborations and expand early stage ecosystem networks. Prior to his dual role, his experience includes operational PL management and strategic new product development. He holds a degree in life sciences and an MBA.

Dr. Karl-Heinz Schneider

BAYER AG,
Head of Clinical DS
Manufacturing WUP

Curriculum Vitae

Current position
BAYER AG, Head of Clinical DS Manufacturing WUP

Dr. Karl Collins

Bayer Crop Science
Director Ecosystems Open Innovation (EMEA)

Curriculum Vitae

Industrial career

2015 – 2021 Laboratory Manager, Medicinal Chemistry, Bayer Pharmaceuticals

2021 – 2023 Director, Science Education Foundation, Bayer Foundation

2023 – Date Current role

Dr. Volker Vogel

Lonza Cologne GmbH Director Strategic Business Development
Curriculum Vitae

Current position
Associate Director Business Development bei der Lonza Cologne GmbH.

Joined Lonza Group in 2008 in various roles in marketing, innovation management and business development; previously worked at amaxa GmbH and QIAGEN GmbH in product management.

Education:
Graduate biologist specialising in cell and molecular biology

Dr. Mariette Mohaupt

Director Business Development
at Miltenyi Biotec B.V Co.KG

Curriculum Vitae

Current position
Director Business Development at Miltenyi Biotec B.V Co.KG

Education:
PhD in the field of molecular immunology and gene therapy at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine. Studied biochemistry at the Free University in Berlin. More than 20 years of experience in biotechnology and cellular immunotherapy.

Dr. Anna Lisa Picciolo-Lehrke

UCB Pharma GmbH
Head of Business Development Neurology

Curriculum Vitae

Anna Lisa Picciolo-Lehrke, PhD, is Head of Business Development Neurology at UCB. She was the Head of Business Development for the recent acquisitions of Zogenix, Ra Pharma and Engage as well as the recent partnerships with Roche and Novartis. Anna Lisa has a proven track record in partnering and licensing spanning 20 years of professional experience. Prior to joining UCB, she was a member of the business development and licensing team at Schwarz Pharma. Since then, Anna has held various business development and licensing roles at UCB. Previously, she worked at the Technology Transfer Office of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, where she was responsible for the protection and commercialisation of research results from DKFZ research activities. Anna Lisa studied biology at the University of Bielefeld and received her doctorate from the DKFZ in Heidelberg in 2001. She is active in industry associations (e.g. board member of the Pharma Licensing Club Germany) and is a member of the supervisory board of Apontis Pharma AG.

Dr. Caroline Fichtner

High-Tech Gründerfonds
Principal
.

Curriculum Vitae

In addition to her experience in the VC sector, biophysicist Dr Caroline Fichtner worked for many years at the Max Planck Institute for Bioinorganic Chemistry in Mülheim an der Ruhr. At HTGF, the authorised signatory is responsible for the financing and development of technology start-ups in the life sciences sector.

Dr. Thomas Raueiser

NRW Bank
Head of the Life Science und Cleantech Team
.

Curriculum Vitae
Thomas has more than 15 years of investment experience in the venture capital industry. During this time, he has led numerous investments to a successful exit and has been appointed to the advisory boards of various portfolio companies. He is head of the Life Sciences Cleantech team at NRW.BANK and authorised signatory of Gründerfonds Ruhr. Before joining NRW.BANK, he worked for Deutsche Bank AG and Credit Suisse First Boston in Corporate Investment Banking and Private Wealth Management. Thomas holds a doctorate in equity syndication and a diploma in business administration from the University of Cologne as well as a master’s degree in international management (CEMS MIM) from the Copenhagen Business School and the Université de Louvain.

The host Janssen – a JohnsonJohnson company

We are always looking for new therapeutic approaches in immunology, neurology, oncology and innovative medical technology
Apply now for the BioRiver Boost! with your innovation.

Janssen is one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical companies. Founded in 1953 by Dr Paul Janssen in Belgium, we have also been represented in Germany since 1959. His spirit of research and innovation still characterise the company today. We are one of the three largest companies in the industry here. As part of the global healthcare company Johnson Johnson, we work to cure diseases, alleviate pain and prolong life. To do this, we say YES every day to the numerous medical challenges that lie ahead. With success: in 2022 alone, around 757,000 people in Germany were treated with prescription medicines from Janssen. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

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Our sponsors

Platin Sponsor

City of Düsseldorf

The Economic Development Department is the central point of contact for all companies, whether they need help with foreign companies’ residency requirements or relocating a business within the city limits. From start-up to expansion to the question of company succession – our experienced experts will help you with the next steps in all phases of your company.

KölnBusiness - The partner for a strong economy

Whether you are setting up a business or expanding, dealing with questions about funding and financing, communicating with the city administration or searching for commercial property: we support you in all business and administrative matters.

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

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The BioRiver Boost! Event is a Startup-Event.NRW

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Partner

BioRiver Boost! is supported by partners who help to continuously expand the BioRiver Boost! community continuously.

Winners and finalists of previous competitions. BioRiver Boost! since 2004.

Important dates

26.08. End of the application period

12.09. Notification of the selected 8 finalists*

18.09. Pitch training for finalists

27.09. BioRiver Boost! 2023 2024

01.10. Press release*

*These dates may be postponed by 1-2 days.

Application period closed. Looking forward to the BioRiver Boost 2025!

Questions about the application

Tel.: 0211/31 60 610 | bioriver@bioriver.de

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Event registration

Participate as a life science expert and start-up promoter in the audience.

Participation fee: 70,-€ plus VAT

For members of the BioRiver and founding team: free of charge

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Agenda / Schedule

  • 08:30 Uhr | Registration at the gate

    09.00 Uhr

  • Refreshments

    09.00 Uhr

  • 09:30 Uhr | Opening 11th BioRiverBoost!

    09.00 Uhr

  • Moderator: Anna-Lena Kümpel

    09.00 Uhr

  • Welcome: Dr. Bettina Möckel, Chairwoman of BioRiver

    09.00 Uhr

  • Greeting by the host: Johnson&Johnson

    09.00 Uhr

  • Bonne chance: Akribion Genomics, Winner of the BioRiver Boost! 2023 award

    09.00 Uhr

  • 10:15 Uhr | Pitch 1: MillionMolecules, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 10:30 Uhr | Pitch 2: LinkGevity Limited, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 10:45 Uhr | Pitch 3: Sweethoven Biotech, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 11:00 Uhr | Pitch 4:TumiKo, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 11:15 Uhr | Coffee break

    09.00 Uhr

  • 11:45 Uhr | Pitch 5: TCBalance Biopharmaceuticals, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 12:00 Uhr | Pitch 6: bYoRNA, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 12:15 Uhr | Pitch 7: 2NA FISH, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 12:30 Uhr | Pitch 8: Ingineeon – advanced immunotherapeutics, followed by Q&A

    09.00 Uhr

  • 13:00 Uhr | Lunch break

    09.00 Uhr

  • 14:00 Uhr | Networking session / Jury meeting

    09.00 Uhr

  • 14:45 Uhr | Reverse Pitch 1: Venture Capital

    09.00 Uhr

  • 15:00 Uhr | Reverse Pitch 2: H. Bohnenkamp, Miltenyi Biotec B.V & Co.KG

    09.00 Uhr

  • 15:15 Uhr | Reverse Pitch 3: Early phase investor

    09.00 Uhr

  • 15:30 Uhr | Reverse Pitch 4: Corporate

    09.00 Uhr

  • 15:45 Uhr | Award Ceremony

    09.00 Uhr

  • 16:00 Uhr | Closing Remark

    09.00 Uhr

  • subs.| Networking

    09.00 Uhr

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Venue

Janssen Cilag GmbH – a JohnsonJohnson Company
JohnsonJohnson-Platz 1
41470 Neuss

 Accommodation recommendations

Hotels Neuss
– Trip Inn Hotel Düsseldorf Neuss
– Mercure Hotel Düsseldorf Neuss
– Holiday Inn Düsseldorf-Neuss

Hotels Düsseldorf
– me and all hotel Dusseldorf
– Radisson Blu Media Harbour Hotel Düsseldorf,
– Meliá Düsseldorf

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