Insights

Gene therapies shouldn’t cost millions per patient. Yet manufacturing remains one of the biggest bottlenecks. 

At bespark*bio we’re on the mission to change that!

Together with four exceptional partners – Novasign, Holloid, Engenes and Qubicon – we are building an adaptive, next-generation AAV manufacturing platform. One that’s designed to scale, optimize, and make advanced therapies more accessible. 

How? We combine deep bioprocessing expertise, real-time imaging, ML-driven process modeling and automation.

Today, we are proud to announce that this innovative research project has received FFG COIN funding, a competitive Austrian program supporting high-impact, application-oriented innovation.

This collaboration lays the groundwork for tackling complex manufacturing challenges in gene therapy.

bespark*bio has been selected for GO SEOUL 2026, a market access program connecting innovative companies with Korean clients, partners, investors, and industry networks.

Korea’s biotech ecosystem is scaling at impressive speed, with strong momentum in advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing innovation.

At bespark*bio, we bring a proven, data-driven bioprocessing approach that helps translate cutting-edge therapeutics into robust, scalable, and cost-efficient manufacturing processes – faster and with reduced risk.

Are you:

Advancing a biotherapeutic toward clinical development and need a robust manufacturing process?

Looking to optimize your existing manufacturing process for efficiency and cost?

A CDMO seeking a strategic process development partner?

Let’s connect.

We’re looking forward to exchanging expertise, building partnerships, and supporting the translation of innovative science into manufacturing reality.

Vienna in’t just another conference destination for us – it’s home. Our labs, our innovations, our team… everything at bespark*bio is rooted right here in this city.

This year, the BIO-Europe community comes to our doorstep, and we’re happy to welcome you to Vienna.

Meet us at the Austrian Pavillon (Hall C, Booth 32). Let’s talk about your bioprocessing challenges and how we can help you scale smarter, faster, and with robust scientific confidence.

Not attending in person?
We’re happy to connect remotely. Just drop us a message or schedule a meeting online.

End of October, our CEO Matthias Müllner heads to CPHI 2025 Frankfurt as a panelist for “Next-Gen Biotech: Startups Shaping Research and Innovation.” 

He’ll share how bespark*bio is rethinking biotherapeutics manufacturing: Challenging conventional approaches and exploring what’s possible when innovation meets practical application.

Mark your calendars: Thursday, October 30 | 11:45 – 12:20 CET | Hall 4.1 – 4.1J48

If you are not attending we’d love to connect! Reach out to Matthias via email or the partnering platform. Or stop at boot 4S114 for a spontaneous chat!

Hope to see you there!

15 minutes. Your manufacturing challenge. Our bioprocessing expertise.

Biotech Summit Austria will be packed with booths, presentations, and networking. We get it – your time is valuable.

Here’s what we offer:

Meet us in the start-up zone. Tell us what’s not working in your process. We’ll tell you how we’d approach it. No sales pitch. Just problem-solving.

Join the start-up pitch session (Oct 24, 11:30-12:00). Hear how bespark*bio tackels manufacturing bottlenecks in biotherapeutics development. Matthias will walk through our approach.

If it helps, excellent. If not, you’ve at least gotten a candid perspective from people who work on these challenges every day.

The Festival of Biologics is one of the largest gatherings for the biologics community, bringing together people from science, biotech, and industry to exchange ideas and spark collaborations.

We’re heading to Basel for the third time, and are already looking forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new faces.

Want to connect? You can find us at booth S21. Stop by to learn more about what we do, share ideas or just have a chat. We’re eager to connect and explore fresh perspectives on the future of biologics.

Want to set up a meeting in advance? Just drop Matthias a note!

Hope to see you!

„Be the Catalyst for Change. Experience the Future of Bioprocessing Today.“

The theme of BioprocessInternational in Boston perfectly reflects what drives bespark*bio: Shaping the future of bioprocessing – Not tomorrow, but today!

We are excited to head to US – This will be the first time to present bespark*bio’s process development expertise outside of Europe. And we’re doing so with a strong presence at the conference:

On Monday, Sept 15, Matthias will chair the “Beyond mAbs” workshop and speak on one of his favorite topics: CMC challenges in early development and the ’valley of death’.

In addition, he’ll be moderating the round-up panel discussion “The Future of Complex Biologics”.

Not heading to Boston, but interested in our approach? Drop us a line, we’ll be happy to connect!

Conference season is starting and Advanced Therapies Europe in Barcelona is the first stop!

And that one is special for us: bespark*bio has been selected as 1 of 6 finalists in the Innovation Exchange – a live pitch session that highlights biotech breakthroughs with real impact!

On September 04, our CEO, Matthias Müllner will share how we:

Apply data modeling to streamline and de-risk process development, and

Advance Gene Therapy with an infection-based approach to scalable, cost-effective AAV production

Want to connect? Reach out to Matthias via the conference partnering platform, LinkedIn, or email – or just grab him for a chat over tapas in Barcelona!

We’re heading back to Munich – a city we love for its vibrant biotech scene – for BayOConnect 2025!

As a central platform, BayOConnect brings together visionary thinkers, innovative companies, and life science enthusiasts from the Bavarian biotech landscape and beyond. All working to advance biotechnology in healthcare and medicine.

No stage this time, but you’ll find our CEO Matthias Müllner in the poster area. Stop by to explore how bespark*bio is challenging the status quo in biomanufacturing and pioneering new approaches to process development. 

Can’t make it to Munich but curious about what we do? Drop us a line – we’d love to hear from you!

We are incredibly honored to have received the Mercur Innovation Award for our Gene Therapy Technology!

Awarded by the Vienna Chamber of Commerce this prize recognizes pioneering companies shaping the city’s future through innovation and creativity.

Gene Therapy holds immense promise to cure disease, but its complexity and high costs still limit its reach. We are on a mission to break down these barriers. Our technology – a novel vector system paired with a streamlined manufacturing process – makes gene therapy radically more efficient, scalable, and affordable.

The Mercur Award not only celebrates our work – it helps to bring our vision into the spotlight: making next-generation therapies accessible to more people, in more places, for more diseases.

Huge thanks to the WKO for their continued support of innovative companies!

We’re very honored to share that bespark*bio has received the Univie Entrepreneurship Award – a recognition that truly means a lot to us.

Two of our co-founders, Monika Mangold and Matthias Müllner, are Alumni of the University of Vienna. It’s where much of our journey began – with ideas, curiosity, and a passion for science.

After two intense years of turning our vision of bespark*bio into reality, this recognition from a community so close to our roots feels incredibly special!

A huge thank you to the University of Vienna for believing in science-based innovation – and for supporting startups like ours as we turn ideas into action.

Want to take a peek into our lab, office and team life? Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l70fhiwE2Bg

Why do so many promising biotherapeutics stall before they ever reach the clinic?
It’s a tough question — and one we spend a lot of time thinking about at bespark*bio.

At BioProcess International in Hamburg, Matthias Müllner and Dieter Palmberger will dig into exactly that and share real-world solutions to key challenges in next-gen therapeutic manufacturing. Save the date!

12 May – “Beyond mAbs – Manufacturing the Next Generation of Therapeutics” Workshop
Matthias will talk about surviving the Valley of Death in early-stage development — and join the closing roundtable.

14 May – “Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing” Stream
Dieter will take the stage to show how bespark*bio is advancing process development of viral vectors — fast, smart, and fit for scale.

Also heading to Hamburg? Let’s connect — we’d love to meet, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.

We’re pleased to announce that bespark*bio will be attending Swiss Biotech Day 2025, taking place on 05-06 May in Basel. As one of Europe’s premier biotechnology events, it’s a key meeting point for industry leaders, researchers, and innovators driving the future of life sciences.

At bespark*bio, we’re passionate about advancing the field of biotherapeutics through innovative technologies and next-generation process development solutions. 

Whether you’re exploring new approaches to biologics development or seeking strategic collaboration, we’re eager to share our expertise and exchange ideas.

Visit us at the event, reach out through the partnering platform, or contact Matthias Müllner directly.

Let’s talk science and spark new ideas!

The 20th Annual General Meeting of the International Serum Industry Association in Budapest, Hungary is fast approaching!

We take this year’s meeting theme – Building Bridges: Enhancing Collaboration and Advancing Life Sciences – literally!

We look forward to connecting with fellow experts, sharing insights, and contributing to the collaborative spirit that drives life sciences forward.

Hope to see you in Budapest!

Brilliant ideas and groundbreaking biotherapeutics often don’t fail because they lack potential – they fail because they can’t cross the Valley of Death. This treacherous gap between discovery and scalable production has claimed too many promising innovations. So how do we bridge it? What does it take to turn a scientific breakthrough into a life-saving therapy?

Join Matthias Müllner and Ascenion for an insightful webinar on tackling CMC-related risks in early development. Discover proactive strategies to mitigate them and learn why scalable, high-quality yet phase-appropriate manufacturing is critical early on.

07 April 2025 | 11:30 – 13:00 CET

Register here: https://lnkd.in/d6HZwZpS

Let’s make sure life-changing therapies don’t get lost in the valley!

The German Biotech Days are approaching – Heidelberg is the place to be when it brings together entrepreneurs, scientists and investors.

We are already looking forward to a great mix of presentations, panel discussions and breakout sessions!

09-10 April 2025 – We’ll be there!

And we’d love to chat! Reach out to Matthias Müllner if you want to meet.

Hope to see you there!

Biotherapeutics are transforming the way we treat genetic disorders, cancers, and infectious diseases. But a major challenge remains: efficient bioprocessing.

We’re on a mission to change that! How does it work?

By integrating framework technologies with Machine Learning approaches, we reduce the experimental workload by 50%, cut costs, and accelerate development!

Our CEO, Matthias Müller will dive into this in detail at the 2nd Annual Bioprocessing and Biologics Forum in Amsterdam. 

Save the date: 03 April 2024 | 14:05 – 14:30

Want to connect or schedule a meeting? Drop Matthias a message at email hidden; JavaScript is required. He’d love to discuss!

Join us for an exclusive free webinar where we unveil a faster, smarter, and more efficient approach to process development for viral vectors!

Discover how traditional bioprocessing can be transformed using framework technologies, Machine Learning, and digitalization. Our CTO Dieter Palmberger and Mervyn Middleton from Biopharma Group will share insights on revolutionizing process development.

02 April 2025 | 14:30 BST

Register now: https://bit.ly/3ExSauD

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert knowledge and stay ahead in bioprocess innovation!

Conference season starts soon and we’re kicking it off with a special one: At Advanced Therapies, Europe’s key Cell and Gene Therapy event, our CEO, Matthias Müllner, will be taking the stage not once, but twice! 

March 18 | 13:00 – Don’t miss Matthias’ talk! Discover how our advanced process development approach cuts manufacturing costs for biotherapeutics by 50%!

March 18 | 17:00 – Join the discussion! Bring your insights & questions to the panel “Streamlining of process development”  

Stop for a chat at booth S16 in the Start-up Area! 

Want to connect or schedule a meeting? Drop Matthias a message at email hidden; JavaScript is required.

We are excited to announce that bespark*bio has successfully secured Seed funding from aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice), marking a major milestone in our journey!

In 2023, aws PreSeed funding gave us the vital support to launch the development of our groundbreaking Gene Therapy Technology. That backing enabled us to make strong progress and generate promising data, validating our approach.

Now, with Seed funding in place, we’re accelerating the development of cutting-edge technology with the potential to transform the treatment of genetic disorders.

We are deeply grateful to aws for their continued support in helping us bring this vision closer to reality!

It’s been a while, but we’re back with fantastic news: bespark*bio has received a Life Sciences Grant from FFG! This funding plays a pivotal role in advancing our groundbreaking Gene Therapy Technology, helping us push the boundaries of innovation.

At bespark*bio, our mission is to revolutionize biomanufacturing by making it more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective.

While Gene Therapy holds enormous potential for treating a wide array of diseases, significant barriers still hinder its widespread use. Our technology aims to close these gaps, making Gene Therapy more accessible and affordable for patients worldwide.

A huge thank you to FFG for believing in our vision and supporting us on this exciting journey!

We are thrilled to announce our selection from among 160 high-potential entrepreneurs to join the esteemed Labena Ventures Accelerator Bootcamp in Slovenia. This intensive program is renowned for empowering start-ups across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) to scale globally.

Labena Ventures, a global accelerator, is dedicated to scouting and nurturing the most promising innovative start-ups and emerging companies in the biotech, pharma, and health value chains. Out of a highly competitive pool of applicants, bespark*bio’s groundbreaking business idea impressed the selection committee, earning us a coveted spot among the final 30 participants.

This opportunity not only validates our business model but also provides a unique platform to showcase our technology & strategy in front of other pioneering start-ups, as well as industry experts, early adopters and representatives from the investor community.

Looking forward to 3 days of interacting learning, engagement, and networking!

Interested to understand why a solid CMC roadmap is key for successful product development? Don’t miss our CEO Matthias Müllner discussing with David Brühlmann  of the Smart Biotech Scientist podcast!

Tune in now to episode 58 at SmartBiotechScientist.com!

Mark your calendars, ViennaUP, a city-wide festival of entrepreneurship and innovation is just around the corner! We are excited to connect with founders, investors, talents and enablers from around the world.

Ready to join? Meet us at the connect day to discuss bespark*bio’s innovative business ideas. Let’s build bridges and create opportunities together!

Already in Vienna? We’d love to welcome you to our office & facility! Drop us a line at email hidden; JavaScript is required to schedule a meeting and get a behind-the-scenes look at our exciting work!

Excited to share that we were featured in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News!

This leading biotechnology publication is known for its meticulous reporting and insightful commentary on the latest trends, tools, and technologies shaping our industry.

Check out the article!

We are happy to announce the Strategic Partnership of bespark*bio and Novasign! Together, we take bioprocessing to the next level!

bespark*bio

Our advanced process development solutions combine best-in-class bioprocessing expertise and pre-established process streams with contemporary digitalization. We provide our clients with well-designed, effective, and scalable manufacturing processes for their viral vector-based products.

NOVASIGN

Novasign’s mission is to infuse bioprocesses with a unique workflow combining smart experiments with hybrid modelling to speed up bioprocess development, increase process understanding and mitigate risk of failure. 

The fusion of bespark*bio’s advanced bioprocessing and Novasign’s artificial intelligence technologies positions us as pioneers in digitalization and bioprocessing 4.0.

Our CEOs Matthias Müllner and Mark Duerkop can’t wait starting the first joint project!

bespark*bio has successfully secured Preseed Deep Tech funding from aws (Austria Wirtschaftsservice), a crucial step in advancing our pioneering Gene Therapy Framework technology.

This grant, specifically designed to support high-tech projects with exceptional product ideas rooted in breakthrough innovation and scalable business models, reaffirms the potential and promise of our novel gene therapy approach.

The funding injection accelerates our research and development effort, and we are deeply grateful for the support from aws, which recognizes the importance of fostering innovation and technological advancements.