For startups and medium-sized enterprises who want to successfully position themselves in a dynamic market, this network is particularly important. We actively promotes networking between companies, research institutions, and investors, at the EU, national, and international level. 

Networks Today

We offer comprehensive information on funding opportunities at the regional, national, and EU level. This brochure contains detailed information on available funding programmes, application procedures, and eligibility criteria. For individual advice or if you have any questions, you can contact our experts.

Funding

Financing​​​​​​​

Our investor network is one of the biggest and most important in the field of biotechnology and life sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. Our bi-monthly circle events and the annual Business Angel Congress (BAC) offer dedicated networking and investment opportunities for startups and investors. 

We organise and run joint stands at national and international trade fairs such as German Biotechnology Days, BIO International Convention and BIO-Europe.

Trade Fairs

This database is supported by BIO.NRW. The profiles in the directory are part of the global Biotechgate Business Development Database run by Venture Valuation.

Database

​Delegation

It also plan and organize tailored delegation trips around the world. Plus, it welcomes and networks with foreign delegations.

• Advanced Manufacturing & Industry 4.0Automation, continuous manufacturing, process analyticsAI-driven optimization for pharmaceutical production
  
• Green Chemistry & SustainabilityExpertise in reducing environmental footprintSolvent reduction, energy efficiency, waste minimization
  
• Regulatory Science & QualityProximity to strong regulatory bodies (national/EU-level thinking)
  
• Excellence in GMP standards and compliance 
  ​​​​​​​Specialized ResearchStrong capabilities in oncology, infectious diseases, neurology, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
  
• Digital HealthIntegration of diagnostics, monitoring, and treatment technologies
  
• Logistics HubCentral location in EuropeMajor transport infrastructure (ports, rail, road)

2. Specialty and Orphan Drugs

• Why: This collaboration moves beyond simple generics—where Iran has scale—and targets higher-value segments where NRW offers advanced R&D and manufacturing technologies. Biosimilars are a globally strategic growth area.
• Iran’s Role: Providing expertise and production capacity for complex APIs, along with cost-effective biosimilar manufacturing potential through technology transfer.
• NRW’s Role: Offering advanced formulation technologies (e.g., controlled release, solubility enhancement), deep expertise in biologics manufacturing, rigorous QA/QC systems, regulatory strategy know-how (especially for EMA), and access to EU-based CMOs/CDMOs for final or complex stages.
  
  NRW Partners:
• BioClusters in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen–Jülich, with focus areas in oncology and cardiovascular medicine
• Forschungszentrum Jülich for bioprocessing and modeling
• University Hospitals for clinical trial networks
• Specialized CDMOs with advanced capabilities

1. High-Quality Complex Generics and Biosimilars

• Combining Iran’s generic drug manufacturing capabilities with NRW’s leadership in digital health creates high-value therapeutic products for EU and global markets.
• Iran’s Role: Manufacturing therapeutic components such as connected inhalers, smart injectors, pill bottles with digital tracking, and companion drugs for digital therapies.
• NRW’s Role: Developing digital platforms (apps, sensors, AI analytics), navigating regulatory pathways for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and combination products, user experience design, and clinical validation.

• Digital health centers in Cologne, Dortmund, and Aachen
• Fraunhofer Institutes (e.g., IME for medical technology and IT)
• Academic departments specializing in human-computer interaction and medical informatics

3. Digital Health Integration for Therapeutics

• Large-scale API production capacity
• Potential for joint process optimization with NRW technologies
  Development and transfer of green chemistry technologies (e.g., catalysis, biocatalysis, flow chemistry, solvent reduction/replacement)

• Process Analytical Technology (PAT) for optimization
  
• Expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
  

• CLIB: Industrial biotechnology cluster focused on bio-based and green chemical production
• CAT Catalytic Center (Aachen): Specializing in catalytic process development
  
• Technical Universities: RWTH Aachen and TU Dortmund for process engineering
  

4. Sustainable and Cost-Effective API Production

The biotechnology network in NRW
​​​​​​​

In 2009, BIO.NRW became the official network for the biotechnology and life sciences industry in North Rhine-Westphalia. Commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE), is committed to promoting and strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location both nationally and internationally.

Pharmaceutical biotechnology

Pharmaceutical biotechnology focuses on applications in the medical field and advances the development of new drugs, therapies, and diagnostic procedures.
 It is decisive in producing biopharmaceuticals like insulin for diabetes patients or specific antibodies for the treatment of cancer.
 A particularly pioneering field is gene therapy, which makes it possible to treat genetic diseases by specifically targeting the cause. In North Rhine-Westphalia, this area receives targeted funding in order to accelerate innovations in personalized medicine. Pharmaceutical biotechnology is thus helping to continuously improve healthcare and develop new therapeutic approaches for diseases that are still difficult to treat.

​​​​​​​

Industrial biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology, also known as white biotechnology, uses biological processes to make production methods more efficient and sustainable. Microorganisms and enzymes often replace conventional chemical processes, saving energy and reducing waste. Practical applications include the production of biosurfactants for environmentally friendly cleaning agents or the development of biofuels from organic waste. North Rhine-Westphalia is driving industrial biotechnology forward with its targeted funding and research networks. Its innovations are actively helping to shape a sustainable, climate-friendly industrial future.

​​​​​​​

Bioeconomy 
​​​​​​​& Resources

The bioeconomy aims to replace fossil fuels with renewable, biological resources and thus foster sustainable business practices. Plants, microorganisms, and biotechnological processes are central in making materials and products more environmentally friendly. One example is the production of bioplastics, which have the potential to replace conventional plastics made from petroleum in the long term. Another example is in agriculture, where the bioeconomy is helping to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides by using natural alternatives. North Rhine-Westphalia actively supports this development through strategic funding programmes and networks connecting science and industry.

Managing Director
Financing / International networks
​​​​​​​+49 211 385 469 – 9203

DR. Nils Schrader

Senior Project Manager
Pharmaceutical / biotechnology /
Funding
+49 211 385 469 – 9205

Dr. Martina Weßling​​​​​​​

The greatest potential for upgrading the pharmaceutical value chain—from simple generics to complex generics, biosimilars, specialty/orphan drugs, and digitally enhanced therapeutics—lies in leveraging Iran’s production scale and cost advantages alongside NRW’s advanced technology, quality systems, and regulatory expertise. Sustainable API manufacturing is also a strategically promising area for collaboration.

NRW’s dense ecosystem of clusters, research institutions, and industry makes it an ideal German partner region for Iranian pharmaceutical manufacturers aiming to elevate their capabilities and access the EU market.

• Advanced Manufacturing & Industry 4.0: Expertise in automation, continuous manufacturing, process analytics, and AI-driven optimization.
• Green Chemistry & Sustainability: Specialized in minimizing environmental footprint through solvent reduction, energy efficiency, and waste minimization.
• Scientific Excellence & Regulatory Quality: Proximity to strong regulatory bodies (national/EU-level thinking) and leadership in GMP standards.
• Specialized Research: Strong capabilities in oncology, infectious diseases, neurology, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders.
• Digital Health Integration: Seamless fusion of diagnostics, monitoring, and therapeutic solutions.

• Central Logistics Hub: Strategically located in Europe with access to major transport infrastructure (ports, railways, highways).

Key Strengths of Our Innovation Centers in Europe Relevant to Iran

• Established Generic Manufacturing: Large-scale production of small-molecule generics and essential medicines.
  
• API Production Capability: Significant capacity for manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), including certain complex molecules.
  
• Cost Competitiveness: Lower production costs compared to Western Europe.​​​​​​​
  
• Regional Market Access: Strong positioning in Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and CIS markets.

Key Strengths of the Iranian Market for Strategic Collaboration

  Do you need advice?  

​​​​​​​BIO.NRW is the umbrella brand for all local and regional life sciences networks in North Rhine-Westphalia. These include BioCologne, BioIndustry e.V., BioRiver e.V, LifeScienceNet Düsseldorf, MedLife e.V., and Gesellschaft für Bioanalytik Münster e.V.