Saxon Founder Award 2026: TUD spin-off Oxaphil is ‘Newcomer of the Year’

The TUD Dresden University of Technology spin-off Oxaphil has been awarded the 2026 Saxon Founder Award in the "Newcomer of the Year" category. The expert jury selected the team led by Dr Erik Wegener, David Bonnaire, Laura Fietzke and Leonardo Matassini from a total of 116 entries. At the Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry headed by Prof. Rainer Jordan, Dr Erik Wegener, David Bonnaire, Laura Fietzke and Leonardo Matassini developed a novel class of biocompatible and synthetic polymers intended primarily for use in biomedicine, pharmacy and materials science. The award recognises the innovative start-up project.

Polyoxazolines (POx) are a novel class of biocompatible and synthetic polymers. They offer superior physical performance, greater chemical versatility and better biological compatibility than materials used to date, particularly polyethylene glycol (PEG). At the Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry headed by Prof. Rainer Jordan at TUD, Dr Erik Wegener, David Bonnaire, Laura Fietzke and Leonardo Matassini spent several years conducting research specifically into the synthesis of POx. Their idea was a novel technology that would enable POx to be used as a solubilising agent for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products on an industrial scale. These polymers would improve the solubility and stability of ingredients, resulting in more effective products.

From idea to application

The results in the laboratory were promising, and so the team launched their venture in early 2025 with an EXIST start-up grant. With the help of validation funding from the Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy (SMWA), the first application tests were already underway in collaboration with industry partners.

“By scaling up the technology for producing these valuable special polymers, we can increase the quantities supplied and reduce prices, whilst maintaining the quality of the materials,” explains Dr Erik Wegener, Managing Director of Oxaphil. “This enables us to provide partners from various industries with biocompatible polymers whose properties are tailored to customer requirements. In future, we will continue to expand these successful technologies and tap into more areas of application.”

On the journey from research to spin-off, the team was supported by the TUD|Excellence Centre for Innovation, Transfer and Entrepreneurship (TUD|excite) and the start-up network dresden|exists. An initial business model was developed at LifeTechLab, the incubation programme for ideas from the life sciences. In addition, the TUD|excite team supported the founders in applying for the EXIST start-up grant, with IP transfer, through advice and coaching, and assisted them in their search for investors.

Winning the Saxon Founder Award gives this young spin-off company additional visibility as it continues on its path to growth. It is also yet another example of TUD’s strength in innovation and technology transfer, which makes a direct contribution to value creation in Saxony.

Background: TUD: A Leader in Innovation and Technology Transfer

For many years, TUD has been among Germany’s most innovative and technology-transfer-oriented universities. According to a new survey by the German Economic Institute (IW), TUD is Germany’s university with the most patents, having filed a total of 1,683 patents and spawned 301 companies between 2000 and 2022. A study on the regional economic significance of TUD, commissioned by TUD from DIW Econ, a subsidiary of the German Institute for Economic Research, shows that these innovation and technology transfer activities contribute significantly to Saxony’s economic development. For example, 92 percent of the companies spun off from the university are headquartered in Dresden and make a direct contribution to the region’s value creation.

About the Saxon Start-up Award:

The Saxon State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Climate Protection is presenting the Saxon State Start-up Award for the 26th time. The award recognises innovative business ideas and concepts that have the potential to help shape the future of Saxony as a business location. The competition is open to all sectors and technologies and offers founders the chance to showcase and further develop their ideas. The Saxon Start-up Award is presented in three categories: ‘Newcomer of the Year’, ‘Start-up of the Year’ and ‘Scale-up of the Year’. In addition, the special NextGen prize will once again be awarded.

Contact:

Dr Erik Wegener
Oxaphil GmbH
Email: 

Prof. Rainer Jordan
Chair of Macromolecular Chemistry
TUD Dresden University of Technology
Email: