Fraunhofer-GesellschaftA new issue began to emerge at the turn of the year 2019/2020. It has since taken center stage in the public discourse and in the personal experience of individuals. The novel virus that the World Health Organization calls “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” has upended every aspect of public life. The WHO declared the outbreak of this virus to be “a public health emergency of international concern.” The COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on day-to-day life, on people’s health, on businesses, on the domestic economy and on global trade. The current situation and the dynamic developments throughout Germany and across the world are posing major challenges for people. Working at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, Fraunhofer experts are supporting the efforts of industry and society to cope with the immediate effects and the consequences to come. Critical life sciences projects, our close collaboration with businesses, joint challenges with partners, direct and indirect medical support – we are reporting on all this and more in our special feature on the “Fraunhofer vs. Corona” campaign.
Fraunhofer vs. Corona
Working at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, Fraunhofer experts are supporting the efforts of industry and society to cope with the immediate effects and the consequences to come.
Fraunhofer vs. Corona
Maintaining innovative power and reducing the impact of the current crisis
Prof. Reimund Neugebauer, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft:
“The current pandemic weakens our confidence in our ability to solve problems as quickly as needed. It will take a determined and concerted effort to deal with this public health crisis within a short time span – and to revitalize the economy once it is over. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is rising to this challenge with a series of sustainable measures in active pursuit of the innovative power of science and technology and the need to augment its impact even in times of crisis. In the immediate term, Fraunhofer’s priority is to secure immediate initial funding for urgently needed research, running to several million euros. In this context, we are focusing on projects in the medical and health sectors of direct relevance to the coronavirus crisis, including the development of a vaccine, innovative diagnostic techniques, the development of new drugs, putting into place a powerful IT infrastructure, and prioritizing relevant pre-competitive research. We also provide support by assisting manufacturers who make components for personal protective equipment (PPE). Now is the time to show our support for SMEs by making targeted, ad hoc offers of cooperation – and to help give mid-tier companies the innovation boost they need to get through this difficult period. Through such initiatives, we aim to promote home-grown expertise and know-how, thus safeguarding Germany’s and Europe’s role as technology leaders and maintaining the region’s technological sovereignty.”
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft publication database
The Fraunhofer Publica archive contains more than 225,000 Fraunhofer publications. We have compiled a list of publications related to the current corona pandemic. Full-text copies of all open access publications are available to you directly.
Current health research project examples
Drugs, diagnostics, devices and data are the four major areas of medical science.
Drugs
HeLiMol – Production of lipid nanoformulations for encapsulation of mRNA molecules
Numerous laboratories around the world are currently searching for an effective vaccine against the novel coronavirus. The German company CureVac is pursuing a particularly promising approach with its proprietary mRNA technology. If a breakthrough is made in this field, it is essential that scalable methods are available for the rapid mass production of the vaccines. To this end, a group of researchers at the Fraunhofer IPK is developing and testing different methods.
C19 lung chip – Drug repurposing using a COVID-19 infection model in an immunocompetent lung-on-chip platform
Fraunhofer IGB, Fraunhofer IME, Fraunhofer IZI | May 18, 2020
The model is used to test the efficacy of drug candidates identified at Fraunhofer IME. For this purpose, Fraunhofer IGB, IZI and IME combine competences in conducting pharmaceutical studies in human OoC and in establishing infection models.
CoroVacc – Development of a SARS-CoV-2 specific vaccine based on attenuated carrier viruses
Fraunhofer IGB | May 18, 2020
Due to a modular approach by the Fraunhofer Institutes IGB and IZI, the carrier virus can be developed with SARS‑CoV‑2 specific antigens at short notice and tested with regard to its vaccination effect.
Fraunhofer research consortium iCAIR® uses synergies to develop new medications against SARS-CoV-2
Fraunhofer ITEM | May 7, 2020
The new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has triggered a public health emergency of international concern. To date, there is neither a vaccine nor drugs for COVID-19 treatment available. Researchers of the international consortium iCAIR® are striving to develop novel anti-infective agents to treat or prevent clinically significant respiratory diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria – and recently started a project to develop medications against SARS-CoV-2.
ISE-CoV-2-Screen – Test systems for the identification of specific anti-corona molecules
Fraunhofer IGB | April 16, 2020
Fraunhofer IGB and the Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery @ Hebrew University will use computational chemistry (Iterative Stochastic Elimination, ISE) to identify already approved molecules that block the penetration of the virus and evaluate them with a number of already established and new test systems.
Fraunhofer Project Center for Drug Discovery and Delivery at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Research against the corona virus - tissue models for rapid drug testing
Fraunhofer ISC | April 8, 2020
The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is placing unprecedented restrictions on public life and economy. The global research efforts to fill the knowledge gaps regarding the new pathogen and to develop effective therapies are correspondingly large. In Wuerzburg, too, researchers from the Fraunhofer Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies are working together with the virologist Prof. Dr. Bodem from the University of Wuerzburg to identify active substances against the virus.
Translational Medicine
Fraunhofer IME | March 12, 2020
The Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME is providing the key link between biologists and data scientists in the EU funded consortium E4C to counter the coronavirus pandemic.
Diagnostics
M3Infekt – Decentralized monitoring of COVID-19 patients
Fraunhofer IIS
M3Infekt is a cluster project that aims to develop a patient monitoring system to enable early intervention should a patient’s condition suddenly deteriorate, using the example of COVID-19 sufferers. By facilitating the required intervention at an early stage, the system helps to slow the progression of the disease, shorten the duration of treatment and make flexible use of intensive care units (ICUs). In the long term, the system addresses decentralized monitoring of patients on regular wards and in non-hospital environments.
Recognize possible long-term damage from COVID-19 disease at an early stage
Translational Medicine and Pharmacology at Fraunhofer IME, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Fraunhofer CIMD, Fraunhofer IAIS and Fraunhofer IGD
Research project: COVIMMUN - Immunome analysis in COVID-19
This project enables the mapping of the immune response by determining the patient-specific "omics" immunome, and to establish biomarkers for the early detection of severe disease progressions, in order to be able to intervene therapeutically before ventilation is required. New therapeutic starting points can be identified and, if necessary, favorably influenced with known drugs. Patients with defective immune system reconstitution are detected at an early stage in order to achieve a restoration of the immune system after a SARS-CoV-2 infection with targeted therapies and to prevent or attenuate secondary diseases.
The valid monitoring of a dysregulated immune reaction and the proof of its importance for clinical success makes biomarkers for prognosis and therapy control available for the first time. Since patient selection using biomarkers increases the probability of success of a clinical study with a drug by up to 30%, companies with already approved substances already choose Fraunhofer IME as a partner to conduct studies in severe infections.
Certainty in just 15 minutes – researchers develop a graphene oxide-based rapid test to detect infections
Fraunhofer IZM | August 3, 2020
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM have joined forces with partners in industry and healthcare to develop a handy graphene oxide-based sensor platform to detect acute infections such as sepsis or the antibodies against the coronavirus within minutes.
The mobile Fraunhofer IBMT epidemiological laboratory (epiLab) in use for nationwide early detection and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections
Fraunhofer IBMT | April 22, 2020
The remarkable technological advance of the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT in the field of mobile epidemiological laboratories, as well as its long-time expertise in the setup of biological safety laboratories and its handling of biotechnological samples contributes in times of the Corona pandemic to the fight against SARS-CoV-2.
Mobile units and safety laboratories in the context of time-critical pandemic events - Strategies and concepts for productivity assurance through rapid on-site testing
The remarkable technological advance of the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT in the field of mobile epidemiological laboratories, as well as its long-time expertise in the setup of biological safety laboratories and its handling of biotechnological samples contributes in times of the Corona pandemic to the fight against SARS-CoV-2. The mobile epidemiological laboratory (epiLab) designed and built by the Fraunhofer IBMT in collaboration with the vehicle manufacturer Bischoff & Scheck in the "Laboratory of the Future" project will be used on-site in Rheinmünster on June 18, 2020 for SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing by Bischoff & Scheck employees.
© Fraunhofer IBMT, Video Bernd Müller
Production of a new antibody test system for the diagnosis of COVID-19
Fraunhofer EMB | April 8, 2020
The Fraunhofer Research Institution for Marine Biotechnology and Cell Technology EMB in Lübeck is supporting EUROIMMUN AG in producing larger quantities of its new serological test systems for the diagnosis of COVID-19. EUROIMMUN is one of the first companies in Europe to offer a test for the determination of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in serum samples, which enables the identification of persons who have already had contact with the virus. This is important to find out who has already been through the infection. In addition, there is evidence that these tests detect those antibodies that are able to neutralize the virus and thus provide immunity to SARS-CoV-2.
"Access Checker" to remotely gauge body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate
Fraunhofer IPA, Fraunhofer IAO | April 8, 2020
A novel measuring method is helping to spot coronavirus infections from a safe distance. It detects fever, elevated pulse rates and rapid breathing without endangering the individual taking the readings. Fraunhofer IPA and Fraunhofer IAO are testing the procedure at the Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart.
The corona rapid test in under 2.5 hours
Fraunhofer IZM | April 2, 2020
The number of people infected with the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus is rapidly increasing worldwide. Affected countries are adopting new measures almost daily to contain the spread, while medical laboratories are working not only on a vaccine but also on new test methods. For the time being, Bosch wants to launch a new rapid test in Germany that shows a result at the test site in under 2.5 hours instead of the previous 2 days. This technical solution is based on a PoC analysis platform, which was developed together with Fraunhofer IZM in the EU project CAJAL4EU. The main objective of the project was to develop miniaturized biosensor technology platforms that enable fast, robust, user-friendly and cost-effective multi-parameter in vitro test applications. This project was supported by the EU (funding code: FP7-ENIAC-120215) and BMBF (funding code: 13N10925) within the framework of FP7.
Devices
"AVATOR" – Anti-Virus-Aerosol: Testing, Operation, Reduction
In addition to technologies for purifying the indoor air, the AVATOR project investigates the spread of aerosols and derives hygiene concepts for different scenarios. The mechanisms of spread are modeled using simulations based on “Computational Fluid Dynamics” right up to zonal and agent-based approaches. In parallel to the simulation-based methods for assessing the spread of microorganisms via the air, the institutes are developing several air purification technologies. These developments will ultimately be tested in laboratory environments and then validated in real environments. The project results will lead to new concepts for reducing the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 in various application scenarios.
Filter4Flow – A smart, non-invasive respiratory filter system
Fraunhofer IIS
As part of the Filter4Flow project, we are working on a novel technology for monitoring patients’ breathing. It improves clinical treatment processes, allows respiratory parameters to be recorded close to the patient and can be used outside the ICU.
Our smart virus filter revolutionizes respiratory monitoring for patients suffering from conditions such as SARS-CoV-2 by filtering out harmful particles from the air while also continuously monitoring all relevant parameters (breathing flow, oxygen level, tidal volume, etc.). This means that patients can be given ideal respiratory assistance at all times. The design allows filters and sensors to be replaced quickly and easily, thus making life easier for the nursing staff. The simplicity of the application means that it can even be used outside medical institutions, for example in developing countries or crisis regions.
Fraunhofer IOSB-AST und BINZ bringen zukunftsweisende Licht-Desinfektionslösung im Rettungswagen auf den Markt
Fraunhofer IOSB | 19.6.2020
Desinfektion mit UVC-Licht ist keine neue Erfindung, sondern seit vielen Jahrzehnten Stand der Technik, etwa im Bereich der Trinkwasseraufbereitung. Die vergleichsweise junge UVC-LED-Technologie erweitert das Anwendungsspektrum allerdings enorm, was Fraunhofer-Forscherinnen und -Forschern und der BINZ Ambulance- und Umwelttechnik GmbH Ilmenau nun erstmalig im Rettungswagen gelungen ist. Ihre Lösung ermöglicht eine zuverlässige und schnelle Desinfektion von Oberflächen und Luft auf Knopfdruck.
Plasma decontamination unit disinfects protective masks and clothing
Fraunhofer IVV | March 27, 2020
A compact plasma decontamination unit co-developed by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV can help disinfect protective masks and clothing and treat them for reuse. The Bavarian Red Cross is already conducting trials with this system.
A fast, safe way of disinfecting smartphones with light
Fraunhofer IOSB | April 6, 2020
Researchers at Advanced System Technology AST, a department of the Fraunhofer Institute for Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB, have developed an innovative solution for disinfecting smartphones. In just a few seconds, it rids smartphones of bacteria and viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 using UVC light rather than costly chemicals. Further applications are entirely conceivable.
Fraunhofer IPT, Moss and IBF Automation build systems for the production of 50,000 surgical masks per day
Fraunhofer IPT | April 15, 2020
Surgical masks can intercept infectious droplets that are expelled when speaking, coughing or sneezing. They may help to protect other people from being infected with respiratory tract infections if the necessary safety distance cannot be maintained. The current shortage of surgical masks is making regular healthcare provision and the fight against the corona pandemic more difficult. Therefore, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT is now setting up a production plant for surgical masks in Germany together with the local machine builder IBF Automation GmbH on behalf of Moss GmbH.
3D printer makes emergency ventilator system with integrated electronics and sensors
Fraunhofer IWU | April 2020
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU have developed a prototype for an emergency ventilator made by a 3D printer. Composed of biocompatible plastic, the device can be sterilized with steam. Its integrated electronics and sensors enable the operator to set and monitor this ventilation machine’s key parameters. The device alerts clinical users in the event of a disruption. Tested under realistic conditions using a phantom lung, the system proved its merits with physicians on hand to observe the trial.
DRESDEN-concept: Partner to fight the coronavirus - 3D printing technology can be used to produce urgently needed parts for ventilators
Fraunhofer IWS | March 25, 2020
Due to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, supply chains are currently partly interrupted, leading to bottlenecks in production. In various European countries, 3D printing companies have set up platforms to produce missing components through additive manufacturing processes, e.g. for ventilators, in order to support medical technology companies.
Data
Digital System for Epidemiological Patient Monitoring
Fraunhofer IIS
The pandemic management app provides health authorities and hospitals with a straightforward way of keeping in touch with patients as well as people placed in quarantine because they may have been infected with COVID-19. By answering a series of daily questions, patients can digitally transmit information relating to factors such as temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure without leaving home. The data is then made available to the treating physician or responsible health authority on a clearly structured dashboard. The goal is to guarantee the continuous monitoring of each patient’s condition, making it possible to intervene immediately should that condition drastically deteriorate.
DEMIS goes online: Fraunhofer FOKUS supports Robert Koch Institute in design and implementation of electronic laboratory messages
Fraunhofer FOKUS | June 26, 2020
Since a few days laboratories now have the possibility to report pathogen detection of SARS-CoV-2 electronically to the responsible health authorities. The electronic notification means that the information on SARS-CoV-2 infections is faster and more completely available to the public health authorities and that infection control measures can be initiated promptly to prevent further infections. Fraunhofer FOKUS, in coordination with the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), is supporting the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in implementing the project.
Fraunhofer assists with the development of a coronavirus warning app
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft | June 16, 2020
Germany has launched its own coronavirus warning app on Tuesday, June 16, 2020. Released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), following development by SAP SE and Deutsche Telekom AG, the new app could prove a key digital weapon in the fight to control and contain the current coronavirus pandemic. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft continues to be closely involved in technical aspects of the project – in particular, key components used to estimate physical distance by means of the exposure notification API (application programming interface).manufacturing processes. This paves the way for in-line product customization. Six Fraunhofer institutes have pooled their expertise to take the new process to the next level.
Project EpiDeMSE Supports Local Decision Makers in Planning Actions in the Corona Crisis
Fraunhofer ITWM | May 8, 2020
Especially when an infectious disease is new, mathematical models help to answer the two most important questions: How will the infection spread and what actions are appropriate and effective to contain it? In order to support local decision makers (health authorities, hospitals and especially municipalities) in planning their actions, researchers of the Fraunhofer ITWM are working on the epidemiological modeling, simulation and decision support of Covid-19 within the framework of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's Anti-Corona Program (project name EpiDeMSE).
Telemedical platform “ERIC” to improve intensive care
Fraunhofer FOKUS | March 30, 2020
The ERIC Innovation Fund project, in which Fraunhofer FOKUS is involved as a project partner, successfully concludes patient recruitment this March under a selective agreement with BARMER. The telemedical platform set up for ERIC is currently being expanded for the COVID 19 location center in Berlin.
NRW adopts Fraunhofer ISST tech to care for COVID-19 patients
Fraunhofer ISST | March 30, 2020
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia launched its ‘NRW Virtual Hospital’ ahead of schedule to provide the best treatment available to patients with severe cases of COVID-19. The Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST’s Electronic Case File is a key component of this care provided with telemedical support.
Central State-Wide Treatment Capacity Indicator (ZLB) for Rhineland-Palatinate
Fraunhofer IESE | 2020
The fight against COVID-19 has offered a stark reminder of what happens when hospital capacity is exhausted. It also confirms how important it is to get the full picture – that is, to keep track of all available hospital and ICU beds and specialized infrastructure such as trauma rooms, operating rooms and CT scanners. Working on behalf of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to solve this problem, Fraunhofer IESE developed an innovative solution that posts these facts and figures in a web-based information system. The Central State-Wide Treatment Capacity Indicator for Rhineland-Palatinate (ZLB) is a real-time indicator that lists the current admissions capacity of hospitals throughout the state in a table and shows the figures on a map.
Fraunhofer Austria processes data to support government ministries
Fraunhofer Austria | April 7, 2020
Fraunhofer Austria’s logistics experts are processing and preparing transport and trade data to help make Austria’s supply lines for essential goods more resilient during the corona crisis.