With more than 3,000 employees, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. DKFZ scientists identify cancer risk factors, investigate how cancer progresses and develop new cancer prevention strategies. They are also developing new methods to diagnose tumors more precisely and treat cancer patients more successfully.

To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany.

With its Innovation Management the DKFZ uses a biotech approach to technology transfer. Innovation Management (IM) at DKFZ propels groundbreaking cancer research into practical, impactful applications. The IM team actively supports researchers and industry partners in advancing discoveries that benefit patients and society. Across five specialized groups IM secures and develops intellectual property, builds alliances, and drives entrepreneurial ventures that bring pioneering cancer solutions to the forefront.

"Our mission is to effectively transform science into applications. My passion is to work in a well-structured and coordinated team, to bring entrepreneurial thinking into DKFZ and to get things done." Rainer Wessel, Chief Innovation Officer

The DKFZ is 90 percent financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and 10 percent by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.