A multitude of active co-operation projects in biotechnology which cross company and institution boundaries stimulate innovation, strengthen synergies and create new market potential for businesses based here.

• 14 active cluster initiatives and sector networks make a valuable and important contribution to expanding the leading position held by Baden-Württemberg.

• Five strong bio-regions have developed in Baden- Württemberg, more than in any other German state: the bio- region Rhine-Neckar-triangle in Heidelberg, the bio-region STERN in Stuttgart, the bio-region Freiburg, the bio-region Ulm and BioLAGO in Constance. These bio-regions within Baden- Württemberg are focussed on particularly forward-looking application fields within the area of biotechnology, and support the successful use of biotechnology in the south-west.

• One particular advantage of the bio-regions is that to a significant extent private capital can be raised in them to enable biotech companies to expand. This capital-raising effect can be seen, for example, in the bio-region Rhine-Neckar-triangle where it stands at over one thousand percent.

• Strong networks also contribute to the optimum national and international positioning, and the future-orientated development of Baden-Württemberg as a biotech centre.

• The BIOPRO network in Baden-Württemberg, in its function as a state-wide active innovation company, supports research facilities and companies in the biotechnology and life sciences sector in a targeted way through specifically arranged commercial promotional measures. This secures know-how and jobs in the state and enables the optimal transfer of the potential of innovative research into the economy.