BioM and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) Munich agree on strategic collaboration to promote life sciences spin-offs

As a biotechnology cluster management organization, Bio^M has been promoting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in Bavaria and Munich for over 25 years with a wide range of services. Bio^M also supports start-ups and spin-offs in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology and has been operating the Munich Accelerator Life Sciences & Medicine (MAxL) incubator at the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried since mid-2024.

Bio^M is a networking organization funded by the Free State of Bavaria that has been supporting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in Bavaria and Munich for 25 years through a broad range of services. It also supports company formations and spin-offs in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology and coordinates the Bavarian Biotechnology Cluster and Network. Since mid-2024, BioM has been operating the “Munich Accelerator Life Sciences & Medicine” (MAxL) at the Innovation and Start-up Center for Biotechnology (IZB) in Martinsried.

MAxL addresses academic teams in the pre-seed phase as well as early founding teams from the life sciences and medical sectors. The incubator sees itself as a co-creation platform that actively fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to innovative therapeutic approaches—such as immune and inhalable RNA therapy—the focus is on next-generation diagnostics and data-driven and AI-based applications in the field of digital health. In particular, the combination of life sciences and digital technologies opens up new potential for medicine and the bioeconomy. Through close networking with industry and financing partners, founding teams receive strategic support at an early stage.

As part of the agreed cooperation, Bio^M/MAxL and the Executive Board of LMU Munich have agreed on the following key objectives:

• Information: At least once a year, Bio^M/MAxL will present MAxL’s offerings and Bio^M’s support services for founders to interested LMU researchers and research groups.
• Scouting: Representatives of Bio^M/MAxL and LMU will meet regularly to identify promising research and development projects with spin-off potential at an early stage.
• Application and advisory services: Identified projects may apply for admission to the MAxL incubator and take advantage of an initial start-up consultation at Bio^M.
• Events: The University leadership, members and deputies, as well as relevant research partners, will receive regular information about start-up-related events and programs offered by Bio^M and/or MAxL.

Dr. Philipp Baaske, Vice President for Entrepreneurship at LMU Munich, emphasizes:
“LMU is one of Europe’s leading research universities. Our ambition is to translate scientific excellence even more effectively into entrepreneurial innovation. The collaboration with Bio^M and MAxL provides our researchers in the fields of life sciences and medicine with direct access to excellent infrastructure, industry-specific know-how, and a strong network of industry partners and investors. This is an important building block for sustainably strengthening deep-tech and biotech spin-offs from LMU.”

Prof. Ralf Huss, Managing Director of Bio^M Biotech Cluster Development GmbH, also underlines the strategic importance of the cooperation:
“What connects us with LMU Munich is the shared goal of bringing outstanding research into application more quickly. By closely integrating top-level university research, clinical expertise, and our specialized incubator MAxL, we are jointly creating optimal conditions for the next generation of biotech and healthtech start-ups in Bavaria together.”

Across approximately 900 square meters, MAxL offers state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, co-working, meeting, and event spaces, as well as a comprehensive range of training, coaching, and networking opportunities. Funded with EUR 8.5 million by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, the incubator is setting new standards for the early stage of science-based spin-offs in Bavaria.

With this memorandum of understanding, Bio^M and LMU are sending a strong signal for Bavaria as an innovation hub and strengthening the structural conditions needed to translate scientific findings more rapidly into marketable solutions for patients.