Cellular agriculture in Germany is taking an important step forward. TU Berlin has been selected as one of only five concept-phase projects for a national innovation hub for biotechnologically produced food, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). InnoCellPro aims to build a nationwide platform for cell cultivation and precision fermentation, connecting research and industry along the entire value chain.
The six-month concept phase began on 1 September 2026. It is led by Prof. Peter Neubauer, head of the Chair of Bioprocess Engineering at TU Berlin and Chair of the Bio-PAT board. Katja Winkler serves as operative coordinator, bringing many years of fermentation and bioprocess management experience from TU Berlin’s Bioprocess Engineering group. Industry partners already cover key stages of the value chain, from cultivated meat and bioreactors to cell culture media and precision fermentation.
A strategic steering committee and thematic working groups will make sure the hub’s R&D agenda follows the real needs of companies. By the end of February 2027, the partners will define the hub’s governance, identify industrial needs and develop a portfolio of R&D projects, leading to a submission-ready proposal for the three-year implementation phase.
Bio-PAT’s role
Bio-PAT is supporting InnoCellPro strategically from the very start, with a particular focus on embedding process analytical technology across the entire value chain. Reliable, real-time process insight is essential for making cell-based and fermentation-derived food robust, scalable and cost-competitive. For our members, InnoCellPro opens an early door into one of Germany’s flagship national biotech hubs and into a fast-growing application field for PAT.
Getting started
The photo shows one of the first team meetings with Katja Winkler. The hub structure is still taking shape (chalkboard and all), but Prof. Neubauer already has a clear vision for the months ahead.
We will report on the next steps of InnoCellPro here soon.
