In this matter, the incubation phase of the SmartNanotubes project group with Dr Eugenia Bezugly as the project manager is supported at the LSI Saxony.

SmartNanotubes is based on many years of research at the TU Dresden Institute of Materials Science (Chair of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Prof. Gianaurelio Cuniberti) and concerns itself with the production of high-purity carbon nano materials. With their unique mechanical and electronic characteristics, these materials can provide the basis for the next generation of electronic components. With the three-year incubation phase at the LSI Saxony, the manufacturing process shall be made industry-compatible, and new products shall be developed for the bio-sensor technology and microelectronics. The aim is to establish a spin-off after the successful incubation.

TU Dresden, the startup service dresden | exists and the LSI Saxony jointly support future biotechnology and medical technology companies in Saxony, in order to catalyse the successful technology transfer from science towards the industry. To this end, joint workshops, which prepare prospective entrepreneurs for a successful implementation of their founding projects, are held in addition to early-stage financing and project management in the framework of the incubation phase at the LSI Saxony. Aspiring founders can benefit from the network of the three institutions. It facilitates the successful handling of research projects, helps establish contacts from the industry and with investors, and simplifies the further development of business concepts and the startup of the company.

After an intensive internal and external evaluation process, the LSI Saxony selected SmartNanotubes, together with dresden| exists, for funding at the LSI. "Together with the LSI Saxony, an affiliated institute of TU Dresden, we are very pleased to be able to further develop the project SmartNanotubes towards a startup. The incubation phase at the LSI presents an outstanding opportunity of transferring the research results, which have been developed at the Institute of Materials Science and patent-protected by our Transfer Office, into application", states Prof. Gerhard Rödel, Vice-Rector for Research at TU Dresden. "We are very happy to be able to continue our project work at the LSI Saxony and thank all institutions involved for the great support", adds Dr Eugenia Bezugly, SmartNanotubes project manager.

"The research hub Dresden and TU Dresden as a University of Excellence are highly predestined for economically successful spin-offs in a diversified high-tech sector", added Dr Jörg Fregien, Managing Director of the LSI Saxony.

"We have set up a business model with the team on how to boost the potential of nanotubes with a startup. We are pleased that with the commitment of the LSI, a next step towards the implementation of this plan can now be taken", stated Dr Frank Pankotsch of dresden | exists.

About the facilities

With the support of the Free State of Saxony, the LSI Saxony was founded in Dresden in 2013 as a subsidiary of the Bonn-based Life Science Inkubator GmbH. The LSI offers interested startup candidates a unique incubation concept in Germany. Innovative projects in the fields of biotechnology, pharmacy and medical technology are evaluated at an early stage and developed jointly with the project group to ensure the availability of funding and market maturity. The incubation concept is based on the five pillars of evaluation, incubation funding, project management, personnel development and transfer into the corporate world. LSI Saxony is an affiliated institute of TU Dresden. For moere information: www.life-science-inkubator.de

TU Dresden is one of the 11 Universities of Excellence in Germany. As a university with 14 faculties in five schools, it offers a broad range of 129 degree programmes and covers a wide spectrum of research. Its foci on biomedicine and bioengineering, materials sciences, information technology and microelectronics as well as energy and environment are regarded as exemplary throughout Germany and Europe. With currently over 200 patent applications per year, and one of the best patent grant rates in the international comparison of universities, TU Dresden is one of the 20 most innovative universities in Europe.

dresden | exists is the joint startup service of Dresden-based scientific institutions, to create new economic power with business ideas from local universities and research institutions. For more than 15 years, dresden | exists has been supporting students, graduates and scientists individually, from the initial idea through to the implementation in their own enterprise. Dresden | exists provides individual consulting, comprehensive information and qualification offers as well as targeted contact with partners, who offer further skills and support for founders. 

Contact persons:

Dr Frank Striggow, Life Science Inkubator Sachsen GmbH & Co.KG

Tatzberg 47, 01307 Dresden

Phone: +49 351 7965380, striggow@life-science-inkubator.de

Christiane Bach-Kaienburg, TU Dresden

Directorate Research, Transfer Office

Mommsenstrasse 5, 01069 Dresden

Phone: +49 351 463 35565, christiane.bach-kaienburg@tu-dresden.de

Dr Frank Pankotsch, TU Dresden, dresden|exists

Helmholtzstrasse 10, 01069 Dresden

Phone: +49 351 463 39206, frank.pankotsch@dresden-exists.de