North German havens of biotechnology

摘要

The entreprenurial and commercial flair of the northern part of Germany was exemplified in the past by the economic success and prowess of the renowned Hanseatic League. While the market for the products once traded by the merchants of the Hanseatic ports has now been superceded, the spirit of these adventurers can still be found in the enthusiasm with which their modern-day counterparts are embracing the growth industry of the future, namely biotechnology. Perhaps less well-known than other EuropeanBiotech clusters, the northern region of Germany, including Hamburg, Bremen and Schleswig-Holstein, has nevertheless a particularly dynamic combination of research-oriented universities and institutes, well-established (and successful) companies and a heady mix of innovative start-ups and support organisations. Biotech international visited the area recently to get a feel for what makes this biotech growth area tick.