NanoTemper Technologies GmbH from Munich has taken first place in the TOP 100 innovation competition in size category B (51 to 200 employees). The company, which offers biophysical laboratory measuring instruments for basic research and drug development, can now call itself "Innovator of the Year" for the third time.
Life-saving vaccines, highly effective chemotherapeutics or drugs for the treatment of genetic diseases must be precisely tested for their effect, their shelf life and their transport and storage capability. These substances consist of tiny molecules that are not visible to the naked eye or under a microscope. NanoTemper Technologies sees itself as the international number one in this field of laboratory technology with its portfolio based on a globally patented optical measurement process.
The two study colleagues Dr. Philipp Baaske (biophysicist) and Dr. Stefan Duhr (biochemist) developed their method for measuring biotherapeutics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich. "Preparations of 3-D-structured biomolecules are very complex and sensitive; you can't touch them," explains Dr. Philipp Baaske. "Among other things, our process lets you clearly see whether they bind in the right place in the body and whether they achieve the desired effect." Spun off then in 2008, NanoTemper today markets measuring devices developed and manufactured in-house worldwide, as well as software, applications and consumables such as special glass capillaries. Customers include global players in the pharmaceutical industry, innovative biotech companies and renowned research institutions such as the Max Planck Institute. Around 90 % of the products are exported.
Exemplary growth and corporate culture
As part of the award, TOP 100 particularly emphasized the company's intensive focus on its remarkable growth. This is managed in an exemplary manner, with growth leaps being achieved in cycles of two to three years. In between, the company deliberately focuses on phases of stability and increasing profitability. NanoTemper is also characterized by an open, positive and performance-oriented working atmosphere.
The Munich-based company employs 170 people from 29 nations worldwide, a quarter of whom work in research and development. Women make up half of the management team. Top management gives the biologists, chemists, physicists, programmers and engineers in R&D a high degree of trust and maximum freedom: " We have strong, culturally very different personalities here," emphasizes Dr. Stefan Duhr. "We don't force processes on them, but adapt them as far as possible to the knowledge and skills of our employees. That way, everyone is creative and motivated in their work."
Corona as an innovation driver
Nanomtemper was also active and innovative in its dealings with manufacturers of corona vaccines and therapeutics during the coronavirus pandemic: Where money was initially lacking to accelerate developments, it first provided its hardware and software free of charge - an entrée to future business relationships. "The pandemic is forcing the already rapid growth in the field of biomanufacturing," notes Dr. Baaske. It is very likely, then, that the 50 experts around whom NanoTemper plans to strengthen itself soon will have plenty to do.
TOP 100: the competition
Since 1993, compamedia has been awarding the TOP 100 label to medium-sized companies for special innovative strength and above-average innovation success.
Bayern Innovativ (Nuremberg), BioVariance GmbH (Waldsassen), Foundation Medicine GmbH (Penzberg) and MLL Münchner Leukämielabor GmbH (Munich) were also certified with the TOP 100 label of the innovation competition.
As part of a scientific selection process, a total of 300 medium-sized companies in three size categories received the TOP 100 seal this year.
NanoTemper Technologies GmbH took first place in its size class this year for the third time after 2017 and 2018. In a personal video, science journalist and TOP 100 mentor Ranga Yogeshwar congratulated NanoTemper Technologies on this success.