Science Park Ambassador Alexander Gorczyza – »Best Conditions for Expansion«

The antibodies that can detect tumours are contained in small tubes. Here, in one of biocyc’s laboratories in the Potsdam Science Park, they are produced in cell cultures. Pathologists use these antibodies to determine whether a tumour is present in a suspicious tissue sample. Biocyc’s antibodies can bind to cancer cell antigens and stain them. This makes it possible, for example, to recognize under the microscope whether a conspicuous spot on the skin is a malignant melanoma or just a harmless birthmark. They can also be used to determine whether therapeutic antibodies, known as checkpoint inhibitors, are effective against an individual tumour and can destroy it – or not.

»With our antibodies, which we develop and produce here at the Potsdam Science Park, we cover around 70 per cent of routine diagnostics,« says Alexander Gorczyza, Managing Director of biocyc. The company already offers 120 of the highly specialised proteins for the diagnosis of various types of cancer – and the number is constantly growing. Biocyc relies on the immune system of rabbits to develop the diagnostic antibodies, as it can recognise more types of cancer than that of mice. The animal-friendly process only requires a few millilitres of rabbit blood; the rest of the work takes place without animals in the laboratory.

»With this technology, we are the only ones in Europe to develop and produce monoclonal antibodies for cancer diagnostics.«

At the Potsdam Science Park, biocyc has taken a decisive step towards becoming an innovative antibody production company. Alexander Gorczyza, who previously worked in sales at the company founded by his parents, no longer wanted to be dependent on large biotechnology companies. »We therefore took the bold decision to produce everything ourselves from scratch,« says Gorczyza, who studied medical biotechnology at the Technical University of Berlin. Biocyc’s second successful business area, the production of synthetic peptides for laboratory work, made it possible to invest in antibody development.

In 2011, biocyc found suitable laboratory space at the GO:IN 1 innovation centre in the Potsdam Science Park to turn his vision into reality. Subsequently, the company moved from its founding location in Luckenwalde to Golm. »I liked the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere here in the Potsdam Science Park right from the start,« says Gorczyza.

»The location management is very responsive to the wishes of us entrepreneurs and offers a professional service with language courses, help with finding accommodation and organises social events, which I really appreciate.«

It took just four years for Alexander Gorczyza to hold the first tube with a specific antibody in his hand at GO:IN. It can recognise the PD-L1 protein, which suppresses the immune response in various types of cancer, such as lung cancer. »This molecule forms the basis for immunotherapies that can save lives,« says Mr Gorczyza.

The development was so successful that biocyc built a new four-storey building in Potsdam Science Park to expand antibody production. In 2023, the group of companies, which also includes the sales company quartett, moved into its own new building in the immediate vicinity of Golm railway station.

Three important advantages convinced Alexander Gorczyza to move to the Potsdam Science Park: The opportunities for cooperation, the transport links and a favourable skilled labour situation. »For us as a globally active company with retailers who come to us from all over the world, it is extremely important that we can be at the BER terminal in around 25 minutes by train from Potsdam Science Park,« says Gorczyza. »Our guests can travel to our doorstep without having to change trains.«

»The Potsdam Science Park offers a perfect environment for expanding companies, as it combines all the important prerequisites such as good transport connections, opportunities for strategic cooperation at the site as well as high employee potential and shared use of cost-intensive equipment.«

The many opportunities for cooperation at the Potsdam Science Park create optimal conditions for innovation. Biocyc works together with several working groups from the institutes based at the site to develop and drive forward new joint projects. The concentration of scientific expertise also makes it possible to share and efficiently utilise expensive high-performance equipment.

The pool of specialists at the site is also ideal, particularly in the field of biotechnology, according to Gorczyza. »Students, doctoral students and postdocs are constantly becoming available at the university’s natural science institutes and non-university institutes,« he says. »Over time, we have built up a close network that enables us to recruit specialists at an early stage before they apply on the open market.«

»The Potsdam Science Park has the best pool of skilled labour, especially in the field of biotechnology, right on its doorstep.«

The conditions are therefore ideal for further expansion in the Potsdam Science Park. And that is exactly what Alexander Gorczyza has in mind: The company is currently only using just under 20 per cent of its capacity for antibody production. But demand is steadily increasing. Although it is more expensive to produce in Germany than in China, it is an important step towards greater self-sufficiency – especially in view of fluctuations in global supply chains. »We can avoid bottlenecks because we control all production steps ourselves,«” says Gorczyza.

In the future, biocyc also intends to produce antibodies for cancer therapies on behalf of pharmaceutical companies. For this purpose, the company headquarters in the Potsdam Science Park is to be expanded to include state-of-the-art laboratory space. This would also clear the way for the independent development of therapeutic antibodies in Golm. »Our philosophy is: just do it instead of thinking endlessly. And if a mistake happens, we learn from it so that we can develop an optimal product as quickly as possible,« says Gorczyza. »This is how we strive for transformative solutions that improve lives.«

The projects carried out by Standortmanagement Golm GmbH at Potsdam Science Park are funded by the European Union and the Federal State of Brandenburg.
Text: Mirco Lomoth | Fotografie: sevens[+]maltry