New innovation ecosystem at ISTA

Researchers are highly trained in their respective fields, but often need support from experts in the business world.  xista innovation is a company dedicated to commercializing research at ISTA, connecting with industry and training the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs. Several start-ups have already emerged in various research areas, such as AI architecture, sustainable blockchains and neurological therapeutics. The research collaborations also include a multi-year partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim in the field of medical genomics. The XBIO program – a joint training program for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs that brings together the most important life science institutions in Vienna – was also recently launched.

Once an idea for a new technology is born and developed, successful commercialization also requires funding to get a new company off the ground. xista science ventures is a venture capital fund that provides investments, expertise and networks to help science-based companies grow.

The first fund - formerly known as IST cube - already raised 45 million euros from around thirty private and public investors in 2021 and has so far supported fourteen spin-off companies from various Austrian research institutions. In total, these companies now have more than 120 million euros in capital and employ more than 250 people. These include Ribbon Biolabs, a long synthetic DNA provider, Sarcura, a company dedicated to improving the delivery of cell therapies, and prewave, a supply chain monitoring platform. Building on the success of its first fund, xista science ventures is now preparing to launch its second fund.

A science-based company needs space for its research and needs close contact with scientists and their institutions. The xista science park is a joint venture between ISTA and ecoplus and offers infrastructure and laboratory space for start-ups. These companies have special needs, such as access to state-of-the-art scientific infrastructure and qualified teams. The xista science park operates two of its own buildings near the ISTA campus with fully equipped molecular biology laboratories and also provides access to the institute's infrastructure. The third building is currently under development.

On April 18th, the umbrella brand xista was successfully launched with an event in the xista science park. Markus Wanko, Managing Partner at xista, who initiated the development of xista, explained with a view to the future development of xista and the entire European innovation landscape: "The journey so far has been fun - this is just the beginning and the foundations have been laid. With our great team of scientists, entrepreneurs and VC investors, we will continue to expand this ecosystem into one of the outstanding innovation hotspots in Europe."

Martin Hetzer, the new President of ISTA, added: "I am very much looking forward to my new role as ISTA's second President. In my previous role at the Salk Institute in San Diego, I was able to see first-hand the great advantages of a thriving innovation ecosystem, which is built on strong scientific institutions and a vibrant business community with strong financial and infrastructural support. I am very pleased that this will also be the case here."