Green Pharming
Table of contents
The European Union offers a variety of funding programs to support research and education as a valuable public good. Our project was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Brief description
The GreenPharming project stands for climate-neutral, sustainable and technologically advanced production of biological pharmaceuticals based on plant-based expression systems. Through the close integration of biotechnology, process engineering and the circular economy, forward-looking solutions for the pharmaceutical industry are being developed and implemented.
Project duration
Period: 02.05.2024 to 30.06.2026
Project goals
The aim of GreenPharming is to produce biopharmaceutical active ingredients such as antibodies and cytokines from renewable resources within a closed and climate-friendly production system.
The vision: to create an ecological alternative to conventional production processes - resource-saving and economical at the same time.
Scientific approach
1) Plant-based production of active ingredients: Plants such as tobacco serve as an expression system, as they can produce complex proteins more safely (free of pathogens) and economically efficiently than animal cells.
2) State-of-the-art technologies:
- Use of innovative molecular methods such as CRISPR/Cas for drug design.
- Transient transformation technologies such as agrobacteria-mediated DNA transfer and vacuum infiltration for protein production in a targeted manner.
- Quality and functionality control through advanced analytical methods (e.g. mass spectrometry, HPLC and cell-based assays).
3) Climate neutrality through a circular economy: plant residues are processed into biochar, which is used as a soil substrate or raw material in other processes. The energy requirements of the plants are covered by photovoltaics and heat pumps.
Significance for the region
By being implemented in Lusatia, the project is actively contributing to structural change in the former coal-mining region. Climate-friendly production and the recycling of residual materials promote sustainable value creation, create jobs and open up new regional cooperation.
Project partnerships
GreenPharming is based on an interdisciplinary approach and the cooperation of leading scientists:
TUD-internal project partner:s
- Prof. Ali El-Armouche (TU Dresden): Optimization and validation of active pharmaceutical ingredients
- Prof. Michael Beckmann (TU Dresden): Development of a climate-neutral overall system based on circular economy and renewable energies
External project partners
- Prof. Karin Fester (HS Zittau/Görlitz): Expertise in plant-based biotechnology
- Torsten Nagel (Nagel Ingenieur GmbH): Local entrepreneur in the field of plant construction and building technology for the realization of the prototype plant
Long-term perspective
The project not only offers a platform for innovative research and training, but also the opportunity to promote regional companies and start-ups in the field of sustainable biotechnology. With energy self-sufficient production and a focus on the circular economy , GreenPharming sets new standards in pharmaceutical production and strengthens the region as a center for innovative, green technologies.
GreenPharming shows how science, technology and sustainability can merge to meet the challenges of the future while improving people's quality of life.
Contact us
© Tobias Ritz
Chair holder, Director of the Institute
NameMr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Beckmann
Dean of Mechanical Engineering, Department spokesman
Send encrypted email via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visitor address:
Walther-Pauer-Bau, Room 306/307 George-Bähr-Straße 3b
01069 Dresden
None