Jena, August 23, 2026. At the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) in Jena, an automated robotics platform is revolutionizing the search for new drugs. The system, known as JenXplor, screens large numbers of samples with high automation to identify drug candidates against dangerous infectious diseases.
- Event: Deployment of the JenXplor robot platform & political visit
- Location: Leibniz-HKI, Beutenberg-Campus, Jena
- Participants: Leibniz-HKI, Analytik Jena, CDU Member of the Bundestag Sascha van Beek
- Core Focus: Research into active ingredients against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)
Technological synergy on the Beutenberg
The system was developed in close cooperation between the Leibniz-HKI and the Jena-based technology company Analytik Jena. While the research institute contributes its expertise in infection biology, the company provides advanced laboratory automation and intelligent analysis technology. This combination enables researchers to carry out complex biotechnological processes significantly more efficiently and faster than in conventional laboratory procedures.
Political relevance and neglected tropical diseases
The technological development is directly linked to global health challenges. CDU Member of the Bundestag Sascha van Beek, spokesperson for the Parliamentary Advisory Board of the German Network against Neglected Tropical Diseases (DNTDs), learned about the progress during a site visit. Since so-called NTDs – a group of 21 infectious diseases listed by the WHO – primarily affect people in poorer regions, the global pharmaceutical industry often lacks the economic incentive to develop therapies. This makes publicly funded research at locations like the innovation hub Jena all the more important.
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Background: Research at the Beutenberg
The Beutenberg-Campus in Jena is one of the leading science and research locations in Central Germany. Several renowned non-university institutes bundle interdisciplinary expertise here in the fields of life sciences, optics, and photonics. The close networking between academic basic research and regional high-tech companies secures the location an international pioneering role in the development of innovative medical technology.
Source:
Jena: How a laboratory robot from Jena is accelerating drug research
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.