A collaborative research platform between Saarland University and Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) to accelerate pharmaceutical innovation—from AI-driven drug discovery to clinical translation.
The PharmaScienceHub (PSH) is a dynamic research platform built on over 15 years of collaboration between Saarland University and the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS).
More than 80 research groups and 500 interdisciplinary researchers work hand-in-hand to drive innovation in pharmaceutical discovery & development.
We benefit from strong ties with 30 regional and interregional companies, fostering national and international partnerships across the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
PSH identifies commercially promising research from within its network and collaborates with partners such as Triathlon Southwest and HZI Innovation to shape these into fundable venture concepts — bridging the gap between discovery and entrepreneurship.
Identify new drugs and transform promising research results into market-ready medicines quickly and efficiently.
Integrate efforts in biomedical research, clinical medicine, and (bio)informatics for drug discovery.
Collaborate closely with national and international partners in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
Train young scientists and technical staff and strengthen ties between HIPS and Saarland University through joint appointments.
Facilitate the transition of innovations from basic research to clinical applications and promote start-up creation.
Ensure joint use of advanced laboratory space and equipment, with planned expansions to support drug development.
84
Experienced group leaders driving interdisciplinary research across different disciplines and shaping PSH's scientific vision.
500+
A collaborative network of scientists working across disciplines to tackle complex challenges in infection research, oncology, neurology, rare diseases, and beyond.
30
Key partners from the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors fostering innovation and accelerating market access for new therapies.
PharmaScienceHub unites a broad community of scientists, innovators, and industry partners who collectively drive progress in pharmaceutical research.
View All MembersThe PharmaScienceHub is strategically shaped by nine emerging Profile Areas — Clinical Trials, Data Science & AI, Discovery, Preclinical Testing & 3R, Infection Research, Materials in Health & Delivery Systems, Natural Products & Microbiota, Neurobiology, and Systems Bioengineering & Synthetic Biology — which define our long-term vision and future scientific capabilities.
We bring together a dynamic, interdisciplinary research community whose expertise spans a broad range of disease-focused Research Areas, from oncology and infection to cardiology, neurology and rare diseases. Powered by cutting-edge methods and technologies, our scientists work at the forefront of organoid and model systems, multi-omics, pharmaceutical engineering, data science and beyond — collaborating closely with clinical and industry partners to translate discovery-driven research into real-therapeutic solutions.
To advance this scientific mission, the PharmaScienceHub regularly launches competitive funding calls for its members that support high-impact research projects, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and accelerate the development of innovative ideas along the discovery-to-application continuum.
Exploring microbial specialized metabolism and microbiome interactions to discover novel bioactive compounds for anti-infective drug development.
Developing trustworthy AI and machine learning methods to accelerate drug discovery, compound design, and toxicology prediction.
Combating antimicrobial resistance through integrated pathogen research, host-interaction studies, and the discovery of novel anti-infective drugs with innovative modes of action.
Advancing translational cancer research through proteogenomics, biomarker discovery, and high-throughput drug screening to accelerate personalized therapeutic development for rare and common malignancies.
Integrating clinical investigation with experimental neuroscience to uncover disease mechanisms and develop personalized diagnostics and therapies for neurodegenerative, neuroinflammatory, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
Accelerating drug development through investigator-initiated and multicenter clinical trials across oncology, metabolic, and infectious diseases, bridging academic research and industry collaboration.
Developing innovative smart carriers, nanomaterials, and biohybrid delivery systems for targeted therapeutics across anti-infective, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular applications.
Advancing early-stage drug discovery and preclinical validation through innovative cellular models, organoids, and microfluidic platforms while pioneering 3R strategies to minimize animal testing.
Advancing targeted drug delivery through smart carriers, nanomaterials, and biohybrid systems for anti-infective, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and ocular therapeutics.
Eva Blasco, professor at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, will give a talk titled "4D Printing Polymers with Light: Bridging Sustainability and Functionality.” Blasco's group works at the interface of organic chemistry, mate...
The ELLIS Summer School on Trustworthy & Responsible AI in Drug Discovery (TRAID) brings together world-class researchers, industry experts, and early-career scientists to address the critical challenges at the intersection of artificia...
Dr. Gaël Schaeffer, scientific coordinator at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry (University of Groningen) and leader of the faculty's "Green Labs" initiative, addresses the overlooked environmental footprint of academic r...
We are delighted to announce that applications deadline is postponed for the ELLIS Summer School 2026 on Trustworthy & Responsible AI in Drug Discovery (TRAID)! New Application deadline: 19 July 2026, 23:59 (CEST) 📍 Saarland University,... Read More
We are delighted to announce that applications deadline is postponed for the ELLIS Summer School 2026 on Trustworthy & Responsible AI in Drug Discovery (TRAID)! New Application deadline: 19 July 2026, 23:59 (CEST) 📍 Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany 📅 24–28 August 2026 The summer school will bring together students, researchers, and professionals interested in the development and application of trustworthy, responsible, and innovative AI methods in drug discovery and pharmaceutical research. 👉 Apply here: Program and further information can be found on our website: Show Less
What a great PSH Talk! 🎉 Yesterday we got to host Dr. Tatjana Ross from Merck Healthcare @ Saarland University. The session was aimed at early career researchers. In her talk "Beyond Research: Career Growth, Communication, and Leadersh... Read More
What a great PSH Talk! 🎉 Yesterday we got to host Dr. Tatjana Ross from Merck Healthcare @ Saarland University. The session was aimed at early career researchers. In her talk "Beyond Research: Career Growth, Communication, and Leadership in Science," Dr. Ross drew on her personal experience to share insights into career development, leadership, mentoring, and supporting young scientists, followed by a lively open discussion. Thanks so much, Dr. Ross — and thanks to everyone who came out! Curious about her work? Check out her LinkedIn: Photo: PSH Show Less
Applications now open: ELLIS Summer School 2026 – TRAID We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the ELLIS Summer School 2026 on Trustworthy & Responsible AI in Drug Discovery (TRAID)! 📍 Saarland University, Saarb... Read More
Applications now open: ELLIS Summer School 2026 – TRAID We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the ELLIS Summer School 2026 on Trustworthy & Responsible AI in Drug Discovery (TRAID)! 📍 Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany 📅 24–28 August 2026 The summer school will bring together students, researchers, and professionals interested in the development and application of trustworthy, responsible, and innovative AI methods in drug discovery and pharmaceutical research. Application deadline: 21 June 2026, 23:59 (CEST) 👉 Apply here: Further information can be found on our website: Show Less
Dr.-Ing. Kristina Scherbaum
Managing Director, PharmaScienceHub
Saarland University, Campus E2 1, R 2.07
66123 Saarbrücken
+49 681 98806 6001