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IHK university sponsorship award for immunodiagnostics

05/26/2026

The 2026 IHK University Sponsorship Award goes to virology. Dr. Niklas Beyersdorf and Dr. Daniela Langenhorst can look forward to receiving 25,000 euros for their research.

IHK-Vizepräsident Dr. Stefan Möhringer (2.v.r.) übergab zusammen mit IHK-Hauptgeschäftsführer Dr. Sascha Genders (links) im Beisein von Universitäts-Vizepräsident Professor Dr. Matthias Bode (2.v.l.) und Dr. Hans-Christian Schmitt, Schriftführer des Uniundes, (rechts) den Universitäts-Förderpreis der Mainfränkischen Wirtschaft an PD Dr. med. Niklas Beyersdorf (3.v.l.) und Dr. Daniela Langenhorst (3.v.r.).
Dr. Stefan Möhringer, Vice-President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (2nd from right), together with Dr. Sascha Genders, Chief Executive of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (left), in the presence of University Vice-President Professor Dr. Matthias Bode (2nd from left) and Dr. Hans-Christian Schmitt, Secretary of the University Association (right), presented the Main-Franconian Business Community University Sponsorship Award to PD Dr. Niklas Beyersdorf (3rd from left) and Dr. Daniela Langenhorst (3rd from right). (Image: IHK / Konstantin Winter)

In Würzburg, IHK Vice President Dr. Stefan Möhringer presented the University Sponsorship Award of the Main-Franconian Economy, endowed with EUR 25,000, to Dr. Niklas Beyersdorf and Dr. Daniela Langenhorst from the institute of Virology and Immunobiology at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg. The money will go towards the "ImmunoDetectRapid" research project, an ultra-fast immunodiagnostic.

Research as the basis for future technologies

In the presence of Professor Matthias Bode, JMU Vice President for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer, Möhringer emphasised the great importance of research into future technologies for Mainfranken as a location for innovation. He emphasised the necessary cooperation between business and science: "The IHK supports projects at the regional universities so that the economy in the region can benefit from application-oriented research."

New test procedure: fast and cost-effective

Niklas Beyersdorf and his team are developing new, fast and cost-effective test procedures to measure the immune response in patients. By using monoclonal antibodies and innovative technologies, both T cells and antibodies can be detected in just a few minutes.

These tests should not only make the treatment of fungal infections more efficient, but also viral diseases and cancer diagnoses such as melanoma. Based on this technology, Beyersdorf is planning to found a biotech company that will offer these tests worldwide in the future.

The university sponsorship award

The University Sponsorship Prize of the Main-Franconian Economy has been awarded since 1982. It supports business-related scientific research projects without consuming the foundation's assets. Since the foundation was established as the "IHK Company Donation" within the University Association, the IHK has been able to support a total of 99 projects.

 

By JMU press department / translated with DeepL

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