Center for Medicine Innovation clears the first hurdle in the ideas competition for a new large-scale research center in central Germany

Enabling medicine that is accessible, personalised, affordable and just for everyone is one of the greatest social challenges of the 21st century. The newly established Center for Medicine Innovation intends to address this challenge. A project team of internationally renowned scientists was selected to develop a viable concept for such a large research center in the former coal region of central Germany.

In August 2020, the "Structural Strengthening Act for Coal Regions" (StStG) came into force as a structural aid measure for the districts and locations affected by the coal phase-out. In order to create new prospects for the coal regions, the establishment of new institutionally funded large research centers in the Saxon Lusatia and in the Central German mining area is planned.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the Free State of Saxony and the State of Saxony-Anhalt are providing coal regions with up to 170 million euros annually under the Structural Strengthening Act.

Around 100 sketches were submitted to the »Knowledge Creates Perspectives for the Region!« ideas competition, which were evaluated by a committee of experts.

On July 23, 2021, the "Center for Medicine Innovation" concept was awarded the contract for a six-month conception phase, in which a concept that can be evaluated is to be developed. In the final selection, this must prevail against two other ideas.

The proposed center aims to advance the digitization and personalization of medical care through interdisciplinary research. To this end, researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, life sciences, mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering and information technology, are to work together to create digital value chains for the healthcare sector.

With the core technologies of artificial intelligence, big data, software-based drug modelling, cell and gene therapies as well as intelligent networked medical technology systems, a fundamental change in healthcare is to be initiated beyond the region of Central Germany. By combining basic research and applied research as well as close cooperation with suppliers and companies in the region, new technologies are to be developed and efficiently transferred to application. The concept is flanked by new training programs, courses of study and graduate programs to train specialists locally in the region.

The aspired large research center has the potential to further expand the biotechnology location of Central Germany, to keep it internationally competitive, to create long-term job prospects for the region and thus to create an appropriate balance for the structural change.