At the invitation of the Free Voters Forchheim local group, Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger (FW) and Minister of the Environment Thorsten Glauber (FW) paid a detailed visit to the Upper Franconian medical technology sector in Forchheim on 9 February 2024. Accompanied by a delegation of independent voters and business representatives, the ministers enquired about the work of the Medical Valley Centre in Forchheim.
During the visit, Minister Aiwanger emphasised the importance of the Bavarian medical technology sector as an innovative driving force for the Bavarian economy. In view of the current challenges for traditional companies, he emphasised that although Bavaria cannot be cheap, it always focuses on quality and innovation and that medical technology makes an important contribution to this in terms of economic policy.
The start-ups presented at the Medical Valley Centre Forchheim showcased impressive innovations that have the potential to further strengthen the medical technology sector in Forchheim and also drive forward macroeconomic effects.
The VOC-Advanced Breath Diagnostics GmbH develops innovative methods for diagnosing cancer by analysing breath gases. Founder Wieland Voigt and his team are working on the early detection of diseases such as lung cancer and the diagnosis of small intestinal mal-colonisation (SIBO).
Another promising company that presented itself to the delegation was the Dennec GmbH. This company has developed a special technology to drastically reduce the weight of CT scanners so that they can be used on the move and can even be relocated during operations.
The up-and-coming company aroused particular interest LinaThera GmbH from the Nuclear Medicine, which is planning to build a production facility in Hallerndorf. LinaThera aims to use particle accelerators to produce radionuclides for cancer therapy in order to offer a gentler alternative to conventional chemotherapy.
During the visit, the ministers were also confronted with specific requests and concerns. In particular with regard to the support of new projects for local science, such as the construction of a new laboratory building, the "Medical Valley Labs", which is to be built directly next to the existing building. The Medical Valley Labs is intended to offer innovative companies laboratory facilities to drive forward their research and development activities in the Franconian medical technology cluster and thus strengthen the local economy. Managing Director of the Medical Valley Centre Forchheim Viktor Naumann appealed to the ministers for support for this ambitious project, which will help to further expand and strengthen the innovative power of the Franconian medical technology sector in Forchheim.
