topic Research

Health Research

In recent years, biotechnological methods have helped us to identify new therapeutic approaches to many diseases involving fewer side-effects or have even made it possible to cure these diseases. Many of the research results have been generated in Germany. But very often new medicines based on these results are produced in other countries. For example, German pharmaceutical companies were only responsible for developing six out of a total of 140 newly licensed active substances in 2005. The BMBF is therefore launching its Pharmaceuticals Initiative in order to improve the networking of stakeholders in biopharmaceuticals and promote the development of new treatments in Germany.

BMBF-funded health research projects have contributed to many medical breakthroughs in the past. The aim of health research is to provide improved medical treatment in order to enhance people's quality of life. By providing more efficient medical treatment it is also possible to reduce expenditure on health. Many illnesses today can only be treated once the first symptoms occur. New and improved diagnostic procedures and therapies are being developed in the field of health research to help sick people more effectively. And new approaches to and ways of prevention are being sought which can contribute to stopping illnesses from even occurring.

The programme "Health Research - Research for People" is taking all of this into account. The BMBF will be providing funding of approximately 800 million euro to the field of health research over the period 2006 to 2010. The prime objectives of this government programme are to:

• fathom the causes of diseases and develop effective methods of treatment,
• improve prevention and prophylaxis,
• improve the transfer of research results to the health system,
• strengthen the research base and
• contribute towards ensuring an efficient and competent health system.

The BMBF's funding activities will attach priority to clinical research. Two new Centres for Regenerative Medicine were opened within the framework of the High-Tech Strategy in Berlin and Leipzig respectively in autumn 2006. Research at the Centres for Regenerative Medicine studies the development of innovative therapies in order to heal or restore diseased tissue and to support the natural regeneration of sick and injured organs. The centres stand for the swift translation of basic research into clinical and pharmaceutical practice.

The focus "Practical Research", which examines how patients are cared for under everyday conditions, has been introduced to help patients to benefit better from research. Medical technology is a further new key area. The new "Action Programme: Medical Technology" pools the BMBF's activities in three broad fields of action. The Medical Technology Innovation Competition is part of these activities. This competition rewards market-oriented developments originating from close cooperation between science and industry. Information regarding the prize-winners can be found [here].

There are also great hopes for fighting diseases using genome research. For example, work to analyse how genes function is being funded within the framework of the National Genome Research Network (NGFN). Five disease-based genome networks on cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the nervous system, diseases caused by the environment, and infections and inflammations are studying disease processes and identifying new approaches to diagnostics and therapeutic intervention. These disease-based genome networks received funding of around 70 million euro from 2001 to mid-2004. Phase one of the NGFN was followed by a second phase for which the BMBF is making more than 175 million euro available. Funding after 2008 will be within the framework of the programme for medical genome research with the measures "NGFN Plus" and "NGFN Transfer".

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  topic Hightech Strategy

  Medical Technology

  Innovative prostheses can help to recover a person's lost abilities and senses. Research in the field of medical technology is working to provide new solutions in complex medical and technological areas. Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the diagnosis and therapy of diseases by using miniaturized treatment and surgical procedures. The visible success of these methods today shows the possibilities that medical technology holds for healthcare in the future. The BMBF is now pooling its activities in a new "Medical Technology Action Plan".
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1170.php)
   
  
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  topic Research

  Cardiovascular diseases

  Love should live in the heart. Or, far less prosaically, but even more importantly, the heart is the untiring motor of our life cycle. Unfortunately cardiovascular diseases are still the number one cause of death in Germany. Leading experts are working together in Germany to seek new promising solutions.
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  topic Hightech Strategy

  Infection and Inflammation

  Many infectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, BSE or avian flu cannot be healed. This is despite the fact that many of these illnesses have been known for a long time. There is a great demand for research into the causes, progress and treatment of infections. It is also important that the results of research into inflammatory diseases such as rheumatism are translated into practice more quickly. The BMBF therefore supports both research and the transfer of results. Together with other ministries, the BMBF is funding studies on how avian influenza spreads as well as on the development of strategies to combat it.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1074.php)
   
  
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  topic Hightech Strategy

  Clinical Trials

  There can be no new medical drug, no innovative therapy without clinical trials. New processes and medical drugs are tested in clinical trials. They are part and parcel of quality assurance in medicine. But they also provide insights into the origins and progress of diseases. The results of all available primary studies regarding a specific question, for example a specific therapy, are combined and evaluated within the framework of systematic overviews. The development of systematic reviews is an important step in the transfer of research results to patient care. However, the necessary study culture is not yet sufficiently established in Germany.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1173.php)
   
  
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  topic Hightech Strategy

  Prevention

  It is popular wisdom that prevention is the best medicine. A BMBF research programme launched in 2003 sets out to discover why, and to what extent, prevention helps to improve people's health and quality of life.
  more (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/1236.php)