HOCHSCHULE BIBERACH

Their core work

Hochschule Biberach is a German university of applied sciences with a focused research group specializing in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery systems — specifically the engineering of particles and carriers that can transport biologics (antibodies, large biomolecules) from the nasal cavity directly into the brain. Their practical strength lies in translating laboratory formulations into GMP-compliant manufacturing processes, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial-scale production. They combine computational tools (numerical simulation of particle transport) with hands-on galenic development using biopolymers such as chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and PGLA. Their work is directly relevant to neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis and other CNS conditions where conventional drug delivery routes are ineffective.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their first project (N2B-patch, 2017–2021), Hochschule Biberach focused on the materials and manufacturing side: designing multifunctional particle systems using biopolymers (chitosan, PGLA, hyaluronic acid), establishing GMP-compliant processes, and applying PAT for scale-up. By their second project (Bio2Brain, 2021–2024), the emphasis shifted upstream toward the therapeutic payload itself — antibodies, mAbs, and IgGs — and toward broader CNS disease applications beyond multiple sclerosis. The trajectory is clear: from polymer carrier engineering toward full biopharmaceutical formulation expertise, with growing specialization in large-molecule biologics.

They are moving deeper into biologics (antibodies, mAbs) delivered via the intranasal route — a highly active area for CNS disease treatment — making them a relevant partner for pharma companies or biotech startups working on non-invasive CNS therapeutics.

How they like to work

Hochschule Biberach participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as project coordinator, suggesting they contribute specialist technical capacity rather than project management leadership. With 13 partners across 8 countries in just 2 projects, their consortia are medium-sized and internationally diverse. This profile is consistent with an applied university research group that joins clinical or industrial consortia to provide formulation and manufacturing expertise as a defined work-package contributor.

Across two projects, they have collaborated with 13 unique partners spread across 8 countries, indicating a genuinely European network rather than a domestic one. No partner repetition is visible across projects, suggesting they are comfortable working with new consortia rather than relying on a fixed circle of collaborators.

What sets them apart

Hochschule Biberach sits at an unusual intersection: a university of applied sciences (not a large research university) with a tightly focused, industrially oriented pharma formulation capability. This means they bring hands-on GMP process knowledge and scale-up experience that pure research universities often lack, while still being eligible as an academic partner in EU-funded consortia. For a company or clinical consortium that needs someone who can take a promising nose-to-brain formulation concept all the way from lab to GMP-compliant production, this group offers a rare combination of scientific depth and manufacturing practicality.

Highlights from their portfolio

• N2B-patch
  The larger and earlier of the two projects (€1.1M, 2017–2021), it established their core technology platform — multifunctional biopolymer particles for antibody delivery to the brain via the nose — applied specifically to multiple sclerosis treatment.
• Bio2Brain
  A follow-on MSCA-ITN training network (2021–2024) that broadened the nose-to-brain concept to a wider range of CNS diseases and advanced the payload to include mAbs and IgGs, signalling growing recognition of the group's expertise in the field.