Wacker Biotech: exploring the frontier of microbial biotechnology

Addressing important medical needs

Wacker Biotech’s expertise lies in microbial biotechnology that uses bacteria to develop crucial biopharmaceutical products. Located in the IQuarters Life Sciences District in southeast Amsterdam, the company specialises in producing therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and live biotherapeutic  products. Medications that contain   microorganisms with the potential to treat infections, inflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders. 

With decades of experience producing complex proteins and working with over 20 bacterial strains, the company helps bring new therapies from research to reality. Working as a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), Wacker Biotech provides end-to-end drug development and manufacturing solutions, enabling pharmaceutical companies to move treatments from the lab to real-world healthcare settings. 

Emphasising the importance of keeping on top of the latest industry developments, he continues: “We are passionate about working with our customers to develop the next generation of advanced therapeutics for the benefit of treating, curing, and preventing diseases for patients worldwide.”

Why Amsterdam works for Wacker Biotech

With its team of 200 employees from nearly 30 countries, Wacker Biotech benefits from Amsterdam’s diverse talent pool and established life sciences infrastructure. Eulenberger makes special note of the city’s high concentration of talent, research institutions, and companies that create a supportive environment for scientific collaboration and business growth. 

And development has been positive, Eulenberger continues: “A lot of companies – startups too – have moved to the Life Sciences District, where we have set up offices at the IQuarters campus. And I’m confident we’ll see a lively exchange of ideas, possibly even the development of cooperative ventures. Including the value of support from local representatives from the sector.” 

A European collaboration

Wacker Biotech actively collaborates with its parent company Wacker Chemie AG and its corporate Research & Development center in Munich, which brings over 200 researchers together and strong ties with universities and research institutions. 

One example of how Wacker Biotech guides partners’ products from concept to commercialisation is the recently announced cooperation with Minervax, a Danish biotechnology company developing a vaccine against Group B Streptococcus (GBS). GBS is responsible for nearly 50% of life-threatening infections in newborns, for which there is currently no widely available vaccine to prevent it. 

Following this, Wacker Biotech will carry out all key functions that are critical to ensure stable commercial supply at its site in Amsterdam, which is one of five in a global manufacturing network operated by the company, within its BioPharma Business Unit.

Great potential for human microbiome therapeutics

The field of biopharmaceuticals is evolving and one of the most promising frontiers is the development of live microbial products (LMPs), often referred to as “the bug is the drug”. These therapies use microorganisms as a whole to treat a wide range of conditions. 

This presents an exciting time in microbiome therapeutics as these treatments could change how some of the most challenging diseases are approached. As Eulenberger puts it: 

Wacker Biotech has long been a pioneer in the field of live microbial production, with its Amsterdam site manufacturing LMPs since 2006 – long before its acquisition by Wacker Biotech in 2018.

Cooperation is key for future growth

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of the company’s success. Eulenberger and his team are in dialogue with experts to continue the positive trend in European biologics. 

Read more about the life sciences and health sector in Amsterdam