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03/16/2026 13:15

HZI Welcomes Acquisition of the Braunschweig Fraunhofer ITEM Site by AveThera GmbH

Dr. Andreas Fischer Presse und Kommunikation
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung

    Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd will be strengthened as a center for development and manufacturing of modern biopharmaceutical products

    The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) welcomes the acquisition of the Braunschweig site of the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM) by AveThera GmbH, effective March 16, 2026, as an important step for the region and particularly for the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd. Core competencies in pharmaceutical biotechnology will remain in Braunschweig, while the Science Campus will be further strengthened as a center for the development and manufacturing of modern biopharmaceutical products.”

    With the acquisition, responsibility for the site transfers to a young privately owned company. AveThera plans to strategically expand the existing expertise and infrastructure to advance innovative biopharmaceutical solutions. The new owner brings additional perspectives and resources that will enable optimal use of the existing technologies and specialized know-how.

    “It is a strong signal that the production capacities and the highly qualified employees at the Braunschweig site will be retained,” says Christian Scherf, Administrative Director of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research. “The continuation of operations by AveThera strengthens the innovation campus and opens up new opportunities for collaboration between research and industrial development, as well as for the transfer of technology from research into application.”

    Starting March 16, 2026, AveThera will continue production operations in the HZI facilities. Manufacturing will take place under GMP (“Good Manufacturing Practice”) conditions—international quality standards that ensure pharmaceuticals and medical products are produced reliably and safely. Existing capacities will be fully maintained, ensuring that specialized infrastructure, the expertise of experienced professionals, and industrial manufacturing capabilities will remain available at the site in the future.

    Statement from AveThera
    “The site at Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd offers excellent conditions for further developing modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. We look forward to using the existing infrastructure, expanding our production capacities, and realizing new collaborative and innovation projects together with partners on the Science Campus,” explains AveThera GmbH.

    AveThera intends to use the majority of its production capacity for its own product development while also making capacity available for external contract projects. This will create additional opportunities for collaboration with research institutions, spin-offs, and industry partners in the region.

    About AveThera GmbH:
    AveThera GmbH, headquartered in Hennigsdorf (Brandenburg), Germany, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the industrial manufacturing of complex biologics, including biosimilars for cancer treatment. With its own GMP production facility currently under development in Hennigsdorf, AveThera combines scientific expertise, proprietary process platforms, and modern manufacturing technologies to enable reliable and scalable supply of advanced biologics. The company also offers process development, GMP manufacturing, quality control and analytics, as well as scientific and technical consulting.

    Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research:
    Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and its other sites in Germany are engaged in the study of bacterial and viral infections and the body’s defense mechanisms. They have a profound expertise in natural compound research and its exploitation as a valuable source for novel anti-infectives. As member of the Helmholtz Association and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) the HZI performs translational research laying the ground for the development of new treatments and vaccines against infectious diseases. http://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en

    Contact:
    Susanne Thiele, Spokesperson
    susanne.thiele@helmholtz-hzi.de
    +49 531 6181-1400
    Dr Andreas Fischer, Editor
    andreas.fischer@helmholtz-hzi.de
    +49 531 6181-1405


    More information:

    https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/media-center/newsroom/news-detail/hzi-welcomes-a... HZI press release
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/avethera/ AveThera GmbH on LinkedIn


    Images

    Aerial view of the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd; in the foreground on the left is the building where AveThera GmbH will carry out GMP manufacturing
    Aerial view of the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd; in the foreground on the left is the building wh ...
    Source: Verena Meier
    Copyright: HZI/Verena Meier


    Criteria of this press release:
    Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars
    Biology, Chemistry, Medicine
    transregional, national
    Organisational matters
    English


     

    Aerial view of the Science Campus Braunschweig-Süd; in the foreground on the left is the building where AveThera GmbH will carry out GMP manufacturing


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