About Us
History
2019
In 2019, three institutes joined forces to transform their long-standing collaboration into a strategic partnership, the forerunner of the PSH.
2020
Decision on HIPS extension by state and federal government. Thematic and spatial expansion of the HIPS over 5 years. Planned increase from 200 to 330 employees and structural expansion in two construction phases.
2024
Formal opening of the PharmaScienceHub.
2025
First PharmaScienceHub FusionForum and definition of profile areas.
Vision & Mission
The PharmaScienceHub is a strategic platform established by Saarland University and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, connecting diverse scientific communities and partners throughout the entire drug discovery and development process.
Our Vision
To be a leading hub where exceptional science, innovation, and talent converge to shape future medicines — spanning early disease detection, diagnosis, and treatment across the full pharmaceutical value chain.
Our Mission
To foster cross-disciplinary excellence, advance translational pharmaceutical research, develop innovative therapeutic strategies, and nurture the next generation of scientists.
Strategic Focus Areas of Activity
Research Excellence & Networking
Coordinating interdisciplinary collaborative projects across 500+ researchers and 84 working groups to address complex challenges in pharmaceutical science.
Talent Development & Recruitment
Supporting researchers at all career stages through structured development programs and innovative academic career formats.
Industry Transfer & Innovation
Creating structured interfaces between fundamental research and application — from early-stage discovery to spin-off formation and industry collaboration.
Global Visibility & Scientific Impact
Connecting local research activities to international networks and global pharmaceutical challenges through a recognized translational research platform.
Our Partners
The success of PharmaScienceHub is built upon a robust network of strategic partnerships, bringing together leading institutions and specialized expertise. These collaborations are crucial for driving interdisciplinary research, accelerating drug discovery, and translating scientific breakthroughs into real-world applications. Our interconnected network ensures a holistic approach to pharmaceutical innovation, leveraging diverse strengths for maximum impact.
A cornerstone of our network is the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), a pioneering institution co-founded by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) and Saarland University. HIPS brings critical expertise in the field of anti-infectives and drug transport, focusing on developing novel strategies to combat infectious diseases and improve drug delivery mechanisms. Their cutting-edge research lays the groundwork for many of our collaborative projects.
Saarland University (UDS), through its strong BioMed focus area, contributes significantly with its advanced research in nanotechnology and biomedicine. This collaboration allows us to explore innovative solutions at the molecular and cellular levels, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in drug development. The BioMed cluster at UDS provides fertile ground for interdisciplinary projects, integrating engineering, physics, chemistry, and biology to address complex biomedical challenges.
Beyond our core institutional partners, PharmaScienceHub benefits immensely from a vibrant ecosystem of local cooperation partners. These include the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Saarland University Hospital (UKS), Leibniz Institute for New Materials (INM), and the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH). Their diverse expertise — ranging from cybersecurity and AI to clinical research and material science — enriches our translational research efforts and opens new avenues for innovation in pharmaceutical science.
In addition, PSH members maintain active collaborations with more than 30 companies, among others for example Beiersdorf AG, Dr. Theiss Naturwaren GmbH, and Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH.
Board of Directors
Management
