15 Sep 2024 Events

BioNanoNet Annual Forum & BNN Networking Session – Presentations & Impressions

From the left: Hans Eder (ZETA), Cornelia Haas (VTU Engineering), Johannes Khinast (RCPE), Michael Mayr (Fresenius Kabi Austria), Johanna Scheper (BNN), Lejla Pock (Human.technology Styria), Ines Haberl (FFG), Astrid Kaltenböck (EIT Health Austria)

On 12 September 2024, our community braved the rain to gather in the beautiful Aula of the Graz University of Technology for a memorable event. The BioNanoNet Annual Forum on “Sustainability in Pharma” was a satellite event of the ECCPM Forum (European Consortium for Continuous Pharmaceutical Manufacturing), hosted by BioNanonet Association member RCPE (Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering), which took place from 11-12 September.

The Annual Forum was followed by the BNN Networking Event, this year held as a joint event with RCPE and the cluster Human.technology Styria.

To launch the event, we had the pleasure of hearing keynote speaker Michael Mayr, General Manager of Fresenius Kabi Austria GmbH, on the topic “Impact of a Potential PFAS-Ban on the Pharmaceutical Industry”. In his engaging speech, he gave the example of Propofol, the most common drug for inducing anaesthesia (and which was essential during the COVID-19 pandemic for ICU patients), which is manufactured by Fresenius Kabi. He explained the impact of a potential PFAS-ban on the production of Propofol, which would lead to a major drug shortage due to long R&D and production timelines. He encouraged the community to think more expansively about solutions for environmental issues without causing shortages of essential drugs. In the end, he called on the public as well as industry and research groups to contribute, as “innovation is the only solution”.

The second keynote was given by our BNN colleague Johanna K. Scheper, who explained how companies can benefit from thinking about safety and sustainability from the beginning of the design phase all the way to the market, and the innovation support that BNN can provide.

Next there was a panel discussion focusing on the relevance of sustainability in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceutical experts Hans Christian Eder of ZETA GmbH and Cornelia Haas of VTU Group shared their insights and perspectives with BNN CEO Andreas Falk.

The BioNanoNet Annual Forum concluded with the session “Future Collaborations”. Ines Haberl from FFG Austrian Research Promotion Agency gave an overview of European Funding Opportunities for Health Research, stressing that the 100% funding rate in Horizon Europe is unique. Then Lejla Pock, CEO of Human.technology Styria GmbH, explained how HTS provides support within the region, including a fund for projects in sustainable, which she urged participants to consider. Finally, Astrid Kaltenböck, Managing Director at EIT Health Austria, gave insights into the many initiatives and educational programs and think tanks of the EIT network.

Participants were able to book individual consultations with Ines Haberl from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, National Contact Point for Health, which took place after the session.

This exciting event ended with a friendly get-together over a traditional Austrian buffet and drinks.

We were pleased to welcome so many of you to our event and are looking forward to the next BioNanoNet Annual Forum & BNN Networking Session in September 2025!

Here are the presentations of the Annual Forum:

Keynote lectures: