Project proposals sought for nanomaterial-based biosensor research

Heidelberg, Germany – Roche and BioMed X are jointly establishing a collaborative research group to develop a novel sensor technology platform based on new nanomaterials such as graphene. To that end, they are inviting early-career scientists from academic institutions worldwide to submit original project proposals in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology and engineering.

The two companies will jointly select the best ideas and research talents to form a new research group within BioMed X’s open innovation lab in Heidelberg. BioMed X has developed an innovation model offering a project plan competition, an attractive funding package, entrepreneurial education and guidance by experienced mentors from academia and industry. Its open innovation lab is part of the multi-disciplinary life science campus of the University of Heidelberg which provides an inspiring, interdisciplinary environment for project teams. This supportive setting provides an exciting opportunity for the winners of the project plan competition to combine state-of-the-art nanomaterials research with biomedical know-how in order to develop a new sensor technology platform for near-patient testing.

BioMed X will be responsible for the operation of the innovation center facility, providing entrepreneurial education and enabling access to the Heidelberg scientific community and research facilities.

“We have been looking into open innovation opportunities before and are excited to work with BioMed X’s novel and inspiring concept. What we can do in this incubator complements our internal research activities very well,” said Matthias Essenpreis, Roche Diagnostics’ chief technology officer.

“We are particularly excited about our collaboration with Roche since it extends our successful innovation model into the new fields of diagnostics and nanotechnology,” said Christian Tidona, BioMed X’s founder and managing director.