Freiburg is among the best in Europe: according to a study published on 22 October 2025 by the European Patent Office (EPO), the University Medical Centre Freiburg is one of the most research-intensive hospitals in Europe. With 369 European patent applications between 2001 and 2020, it ranks third in Germany and seventh in Europe. The study was conducted in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) and highlights the strong links between clinical research and applied development in Germany.
‘This evaluation shows in black and white that Freiburg is one of the most innovative medical locations in Europe,’ says Prof. Dr. Frederik Wenz, Chief Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of the University Medical Centre Freiburg. ‘Our research always aims to directly improve patient care – whether through new diagnostic procedures, modern medical technology or innovative therapies. The fact that our ideas receive international protection as patents shows that they also have an impact beyond Freiburg.’
Innovation from Freiburg: From idea to benefit for patients
The University Medical Centre Freiburg works closely with the Freiburg Innovation Alliance Foundation, which connects the city, the University of Freiburg, the University Medical Centre, regional businesses and scientific organisations. It specifically promotes exchange between research and practice – so that new findings can be put into practice more quickly.
The hospital's Innovation Advisory Board also provides important impetus. Since 2022, it has been supporting new projects, identifying trends and assisting with transformation processes. The ‘Industry on Campus’ concept also fosters direct cooperation between scientists and companies – for example, in the field of digital health solutions or new biomedical procedures.
Targeted support for medical start-ups
In addition, the University Medical Centre Freiburg provides targeted support for medical start-ups based on its own research. Doctors and scientists who develop innovative ideas are accompanied on their way to spin-off – from feasibility studies to market launch. As a result, more and more young companies are emerging in Freiburg that translate medical progress into concrete applications and strengthen the business location.
Example: Innovative cancer therapy through a spin-off from the University Medical Centre Freiburg and the University of Freiburg
Types of cancer such as advanced colon cancer pose major challenges for medicine. The start-up EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH, a spin-off from the University Medical Centre Freiburg and the University of Freiburg, is working on the foundations for the future clinical application of a new active substance to support the immune system in fighting cancer. For this project, the company was awarded an EIC Transition Grant of around 2.5 million euros at the beginning of 2025. The funding will enable the further development of the active substance EMT-224, which was developed in the working group of Prof. Dr. Olaf Groß at the Institute of Neuropathology at the University Medical Centre Freiburg with the support of the Cluster of Excellence CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies at the University of Freiburg.