The “Sweethoven Biotech” project from the IFMB won first place in this year's pitch competition organized by the Competence Center for Bio-Security. Dr. André Neff convinced the judges at the event in Bönen of the potential of the fibre-based sugar alternative developed at the IFMB. Winning the competition gives the research project led by Dr. Neff and Dr. Marcel Hövels a cash and non-cash prize of €4,000 and additional important reach in the biotechnology sector.
At the same time, the team was nominated as a finalist for the BioRiver Boost! 2024, a pitch competition organized by BioRiver-Life Science im Rheinland e.V.
Addendum: This section has been revised retrospectively because earlier formulations were misleading and could have unintentionally cast doubt on the scientific classification of Dr. Marcel Hövels’ research work. Dr. Hövels’ transfer-oriented research is conducted exclusively within a scientific, pre-competitive context. No economic activities and no company formation have resulted from these research activities. This can be readily verified by consulting the commercial register. Unfortunately, owing to partially imprecise descriptions in press releases concerning the project and in connection with awards received, an incorrect impression has in some cases been created that the project already constitutes an established company. This possible misinterpretation is regretted. It is therefore clarified that the work concerns a scientific, transfer-oriented research project at the pre-competitive stage.