Heidelberg, 31.01.2022 – BioRN announces today the awarding of both the GOLD Label of the European Cluster Excellence Initiative (ECEI) and the “Cluster-Exzellenz Baden-Württemberg” Quality Label for its high level of professionalism and advanced cluster management.

“This award recognizes our dedication and commitment of these past few years, towards the professionalization of our cluster management. The label confirms BioRN as one of the leading cluster organizations in Europe. Only through a skilled management, we secure growth and expansion of this outstanding innovation cluster.” said Julia Schaft, BioRN Managing Director.

In order to qualify for both the ECEI GOLD and the „Cluster-Exzellenz Baden-Württemberg“ Quality Label, cluster management organizations need to meet certain excellence criteria in terms of structure, governance, financing, strategy, services and public recognition. To measure this, two neutral ESCA experts (European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis) conducted a two-days assessment based on 34 quality indicators. These Labels also show the Cluster’s commitment towards continuous improvement of their structures and routines for the benefit of all cluster members and the entire region, contributing to the development of a new lead industry Baden-Württemberg.

The GOLD label accreditation process was powered through the CELIS Project, a ESCP-4X partnership established in 2020.

The "Cluster Organization Management Excellence Label GOLD - Proven for Cluster Excellence" is awarded by the ECEI, which was initiated by the European Commission DG Enterprise and Industry in 2009, and developed methodologies and tools to support cluster organisations to improve their management capacities and capabilities.

About BioRN

BioRN is the science and industry innovation cluster around Heidelberg at the border between Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. BioRN is a non-profit network counting more than 130 members. It includes top universities, research institutions and Technology Parks. Ten global pharmaceutical companies have R&D sites or are active in the BioRN network. The ecosystem is completed by a large range of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as local government organizations and interest groups. With the vision to make life science matter and innovation happen, the cluster management established a clear strategy to become the leading European life science cluster, attracting global investment and talent. BioRN recently supported the establishment of the Evotec’s BRIDGE beLAB2122, a new public-private partnership to fund and execute novel disease modifying therapeutic projects in the region. BioRN is also initiator and Founding Partner of Biolabs Heidelberg, part of the global BioLabs network of co-working space for startups. www.biorn.org

Media contacts

Dr. Annalisa Zuccotti

BioRN Cluster Management GmbH

[email protected]