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Koelnmesse,
Cologne, Germany
Spotlight on Cologne
BIO-Europe 2026 comes to Cologne this November 9-11 at Koelnmesse, bringing Europe's largest biotech partnering conference to Germany's fourth-largest city and a vibrant hub on the Rhine.
Cologne: A healthcare success story
Cologne is both a leading national and international location in the sphere of Health and Life Sciences. From biotechnology and medical technology to digital health, Cologne's 250 research-focused HealthTech & Life Sciences companies are crucibles for innovation and growth in a sector that is changing fast due to demographic changes and increasing health awareness in society. Cologne’s leading international healthcare companies include Miltenyi Biotec, Bayer and Lonza and the region is home to approximately 90 life science startups and scaleups, that are drivers of future-focused solutions.
250+
Employees
87000+
Employees in the healthcare industry
€ 6.5
Billion in revenue per year
Germany's life science powerhouse and innovation hub
A lighthouse for medical professionals
With around 87,000 employees, the healthcare industry is the second largest sector in Cologne, generating a staggering 6.5 billion Euros each year—making it the city's second-largest sector. Excellent infrastructure, high population density, and exceptional quality of life attract top medical talent, while renowned research institutions provide outstanding career development opportunities.
Powerful research network
Cologne's Health and Life Sciences sector thrives on cutting-edge research from 10 internationally recognized universities, 40+ hospitals and clinics, and three Max Planck Institutes. Technology hubs like BioCampus Cologne and RTZ Köln foster collaboration between startups, SMEs, and corporations, while key industry networks—BioRiver – Life Science in the Rhineland, Digital Health Germany, BioCologne and Gesundheitsregion KölnBonn—drive innovation. As a leading trade fair city, Cologne hosts major congresses including Health 4.0 Innovation Congress and PerMediCon.
Germany's leading economic hub
- 17 million inhabitants within a radius of 100 kilometres - more than anywhere else in the European Union
- Connected to the whole world: three airports, ten motorways, freight port and dense railway network
- Germany's best IT and communications infrastructure
- Excellent network of market-leading companies, an emerging tech startup scene, and world-renowned research institutions
- Large pool of skilled workforce: 100,000 students, 14,000 graduates per year
“Rhenish” mentality: decidedly liberal – we pride ourselves on our inclusive, international outlook and diversity
An epicentre for science, technology and academic inquiry
Cologne is one of the most important and innovative science hubs in Germany and in the heart of Europe.
Numerous institutes from all disciplines conduct internationally recognized cutting-edge research in a wide range of scientific disciplines. A combination of interdisciplinary research, highly qualified specialists and an innovative startup ecosystem makes Cologne the ideal location for companies with strong research and development capabilities.
- 24 Institutions of higher education in Cologne
- 12 Research centers
- 14,000 Graduates/year
More than 100,000 students live in Cologne which makes it the third-largest student city in Germany. Most of these are studying at the University of Cologne – established in 1388 and one of the largest universities in the whole of Germany where some 50,000 students are enrolled.
The largest public university of applied sciences in Germany also has its home in Cologne. Around 25,000 students are enrolled at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. Cologne also boasts two of the largest European schools in the areas of sport and music with the German Sport University (DSHS) and the University of Music and Dance.
More than 14,000 highly qualified graduates enter the labor market every year. Most of them start their careers in the region and therefore represent a significant factor when it comes to location for companies based in Cologne.
Excellent academic network
Cologne has an extensive network of non-university research centers including four Max Planck institutes with a range of disciplines from the biology of ageing and metabolism, to plant breeding and social research. The city’s scientific ambitions are not constrained by gravity either! The European Astronaut Centre, located at the European Space Agency (ESA), prepares astronauts for their missions in space. Cologne is also home to the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), one of Germany's biggest research centers.
International corporations such as LANXESS, INEOS and Ford as well as hidden champions like Courage + Khazaka Electronic, Igus and Schwank also enrich Cologne as a center for R&D focused industries.