German biotech sector starts 2012 less optimistic

Despite a more positive assessment of their current situation, German biotechnology companies are starting 2012 less optimistically. By using product and service models, the sector is making itself ever less dependent on venture capital. This was found in a survey conducted by trade group BIO Deutschland in cooperation with the sector journal, transkript.

Early indicators show that a constantly growing number of employees accompanied by slightly decreasing expenditure on R&D can be expected. At the same time, expectations of the future business situation are declining. As the biotechnology news journal transkript also established, around 141 million euros ($184.9 million) of new capital went to German biotechnology companies in 2011, compared with 650 million euros in 2010).

Peter Heinrich, chairman of the board of BIO Deutschland, summarized the survey findings as follows: “German biotechnology companies have proved that they can cope with crises and have adapted incredibly well to the shortage of financial resources. They are continuing their work on developing new products and are becoming increasingly profitable in this area.”