2024
AbbvieGolden Ticket
Apply by October 20, 2024
AbbVie and BioLabs Heidelberg invite you to apply for up to two Golden Tickets. The Golden Ticket provides a lab bench and office space, and a membership for one year, and access to the AbbVie team of scientific and industry advisors.
Application Process
The official application process can be found above. Please read and verify your availability before submitting your application.
Golden Ticket Benefits
Application requirements
AbbVie is looking for early-stage biotech companies that fit the following criteria:
Focused on science / technology with potential to generate transformational therapies in areas that align strategically with AbbVie’s therapeutic areas of interest (listed below and available here)
Developing therapeutic platform technologies, including gene therapy, novel cell therapy, gene editing, or novel drug-discovery or platform technologies
Exclusions: Diagnostics, Devices, Research Tools, and Healthcare Services/IT
Therapeutic Areas at a Glance
Additional Requirements
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Companies must have their principal place of business in the Heidelberg area or be willing to relocate to Heidelberg
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Companies must not have a significant partnership with another large biopharmaceutical company
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However, current, or prior recipients of similar awards sponsored by other pharmaceutical companies or lab spaces are eligible to apply
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Companies must meet Biolabs' Golden Ticket criteria:
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Total equity funding raised must be less than $7.5M USD before the Golden Ticket is issued to them
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Companies must not have trailing 12-month revenues in excess of $3M USD
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Companies must be in the life sciences and have an impact on human health
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Companies must be financially and scientifically ready to move into Biolabs Heidelberg within two months of receiving the ticket
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The Application Process
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Submit applications by
October 20, 2024
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A subset of applications will be identified as finalist by the contest judges by
November 1, 2024
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Finalists will present their company & scientific concept at a virtual event
on November 13 or 14, 2024​
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Up to 2 awards will be granted
Good luck!
Judging Criteria and Judges
AbbVie leaders who are qualified scientific experts in their respective fields, including specialties in scientific and/or medical research and business, will review all submissions. The following criteria will form application judging criteria:
Fit relating to the research fields of oncology, immunology, neuroscience, eye care, or aesthetics. Judges will also consider novel target(s) identification, drug delivery, discovery technology platforms, and translational research and development.
Quality of the scientific data, research plan and/or technology platform
Potential to successfully achieve research milestones and program development
Unmet need for the research in the relevant field. Is this research/program/technology addressing a critical medical need
Readiness to move into the Biolabs Heidelberg lab space within three months of being selected for the award
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What is the AbbVie Golden Ticket – Biolabs Heidelberg Award?Golden Tickets are vouchers that AbbVie can award to a startup company of their choice and provide that company with one lab bench in Biolabs Heidelberg for one year. The value of a Golden Ticket prepays the cost of one (1) single bench, one (1) single desk and Biolabs membership for one person for one (1) year. The value of a single bench may be applied towards fees for a private lab in Biolabs Heidelberg, pending availability at the time of their desired start. The Golden Ticket winner must pay the difference between the larger space and the value of the single bench covered by their Golden Ticket. If there are no benches available, the value of the golden ticket will be extended while the company remains on the waitlist for a bench. The winner will receive priority admission or renewal for one year’s use of a lab bench and access to all shared facilities at Biolabs Heidelberg, and opportunities to engage with AbbVie scientific and business executives.
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How do I know if I am eligible for a Golden Ticket?Golden Tickets may be awarded to either startup companies that are interested in joining the Biolabs Heidelberg community or current Resident Companies. To be eligible to participate to have the opportunity to receive the Award, the Applicant must: (1) be an independent entity (SME), either currently formed under the laws of Germany; (2) not have raised more than $7.5 million United States dollars in capital or have trailing twelve month revenue of more than $3 million United States dollars as of the time of Application and the closing date for the Contest; 3) submit a complete Application; (4) represent and warrant that the Applicant has read and agrees to abide by all requirements of these Rules; (5) not be affiliated with or employed by AbbVie or Biolabs including as an employee, contractor, officer or director of AbbVie or Biolabs and including as an immediate family member of AbbVie or Biolabs (including parents, spouses, children, siblings or any individual residing in the household of a AbbVie, officer or director (whether or not related)); and (6) not be an academic institution such as a college, university or school. Diagnostics, Devices, Research Tools, and Healthcare-Services & IT companies are excluded.
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When will I be able to use my Golden Ticket?The top proposals will be invited for an in-person presentation at Biolabs Heidelberg in November 9, 2023. Companies must be financially and scientifically ready to move into Biolabs Heidelberg within two months of receiving the ticket and to execute the submitted research plan.
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Where can I find more details on AbbVie’s areas of focus for external innovation?Please refer to Abbvie's Corporate Strategy Organization’s brochure: https://www.abbvie.com/partnerships/areas-of-interest.html
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