The German Biotech Days (DBT) 2025 in Heidelberg set new benchmarks: With over 1,000 attendees and 77 exhibition stands, the premier industry gathering of Germany’s biotech community hit an all-time high—both in scale and impact. For two days, Heidelberg’s Bahnstadt district was abuzz with discussions on cutting-edge advancements, emerging players, and the pressing challenges facing this dynamic sector.

Compact, Focused, Constructive
The new venue—the Congress Center in Heidelberg’s vibrant Bahnstadt—helped fuel the event’s success. Its compact, well-designed layout fostered focused debates and spontaneous networking alike. The program stood out for its diversity: fresh voices on stage, high-stakes policy discussions, and a noticeably stronger industry presence than in previous years.

RNA in the Spotlight—Visible but Not Overbearing
Though not the central theme, RNA technology was a clear standout across sessions and side conversations. The talk on “RNA Origami” drew keen interest, as did real-world applications in product development—highlighted by BioNTech CFO Jens Holstein, who shared insights on long-term financing strategies and the market potential of RNA-based therapies during his keynote. His takeaway? Resilience and early alliance-building are key to survival—a view echoed by many young companies in attendance.

Startup Power from NRW – Innovative, Versatile, Unmissable
For startups from North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Heidelberg was a prime showcase: Sweethoven Biotech wowed the jury to win one of three Innovation Awards, while Truion ranked among the top six submissions—a strong signal for the region. NRW’s presence was equally bold on the pitch stage, where Sweethoven Biotech, Prosion Therapeutics, SRTD Biotech, and AgriBluBio presented in the “New Kids on the Block” session. AgriBluBio, in particular, turned heads with its eco-friendly chitosan solutions for crop protection, promoting a shift in agri-biotech: from chemicals to sustainable alternatives.

From BioRN to biosaxony – The Future Heads East
The symbolic handover from Julia Schaft (BioRN Life Science Cluster) to André Hofmann (biosaxony e.V.) set the stage for Leipzig to host DBT for the second time in 2026. Over the past decade, Leipzig has emerged as a high-growth biotech hub, fueled by targeted investments, new clusters, and global appeal. Excitement is building—well beyond Saxony.

Verdict: Momentum for the Biotech Community
DBT 2025 did not just deliver record numbers—it captured the industry’s bold, collaborative spirit. The sector is on the move, thinking bigger, forging strategic ties, and staying laser-focused on tech-driven solutions. Notably, young companies tackling medical, agricultural, and industrial challenges gained both visibility and recognition. The dialogue between science, business, and policy was palpable—further energized by the new federal coalition’s draft agreement, which explicitly names biotech as a key technology. A clear signal: Germany’s biotech future is bright.