The Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP engages in research and development on innovative methods for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases resulting from impaired functioning of the immune system. The institute has three research areas: drug discovery, preclinical research, and clinical research. Its mission is to act as a strong partner to both the university medical community, in consistently translating research findings into application, and the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Axel Müller-Groeling, Executive Board Member for Research Infrastructures and Digital Transformation of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, opened the event. In his remarks, he underscored the institute’s central importance to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s health research. Müller-Groeling also thanked everyone involved in the construction project. “Fraunhofer ITMP is a central pillar of our health research. The new building establishes excellent conditions for us to transfer scientific findings into concrete applications on an even more targeted basis, which will directly benefit patients.”
Minister-President Boris Rhein spoke afterward, highlighting the significance of the new research building: “The new Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP building is a place where research and the healthcare sector work hand in hand. The building shows what a powerful force the LOEWE state initiative for the development of scientific and economic excellence can be. The funding provided has grown into a research center that will advance medical treatment for people and make Hesse more competitive in this field.”
Geisslinger thanked everyone involved, especially the state government, the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and Goethe University Frankfurt, and pointed out the special synergies made possible by the new building:
“Our 4D concept brings researchers from the fields of medicine, physical and life sciences, engineering and data analysis together with the goal of translating research findings into clinical practice more quickly and contributing to efficient healthcare.”
Interdisciplinary collaboration under optimum conditions
The new building was planned specifically for the institute’s research and development needs: It provides Fraunhofer ITMP with state-of-the-art research infrastructure for translating medical findings into innovative treatments and medications. The energy-efficient building stretches over approximately 8,000 square meters and, for the first time, brings the institute’s full scientific and technical expertise together under a single roof. With about 3,800 square meters of usable space and a height of 25 meters, the building offers room for 100 employees. The building has five floors (plus a technical floor) with offices, labs, meeting rooms, and a seminar room. The construction of the new facility on the Frankfurt university hospital campus was funded in equal portions by the state of Hesse and the German federal government.
The institute emerged from the LOEWE research center Translational Medicine and Pharmcology (TMP) and now has five locations, one each in Frankfurt, Hamburg, Göttingen, Penzberg (near Munich) and Berlin. The focus is on new approaches for early detection, diagnosis and treatment of diseases resulting from impaired functioning of the immune system.
The move into the new building marks the start of a new chapter in Fraunhofer ITMP’s research work. The institute now has optimum conditions under which to further expand on its interdisciplinary collaboration and advance its expertise in drug and diagnostic development, preclinical validation and clinical trials. The Frankfurt location specializes in early detection, diagnosis and treatment of immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
