Events

How do we turn solutions into action for a future-ready region?

Black Forest Innovation is a regional innovation hub located in the Southern Upper Rhine area. Through inspiring keynotes, masterclasses, and hands-on workshops, it showcases how local stakeholders can actively contribute to global sustainability goals – especially the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The mission: share knowledge, build alliances, and develop practical solutions.

Topics in focus:

• Circular economy & new models of collaboration
• Net zero strategies for manufacturing companies
• Visions for sustainable living and business

Meet the Hub Team

Pfizer has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040. This goal will be achieved through investments in sustainable technologies and the optimization of production processes. Oana Stürz, Innovation Engineer at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will contribute Pfizer’s perspective to the panel discussion titled “Implementing innovation and sustainability in business.”
She looks forward to a meaningful exchange on sustainable solutions for optimizing production and packaging processes.

• Location: flow1986, Am alten Schlachthof 14, 77652 Offenburg
• Date: November 6, 2025
• Admission: Free of charge – registration required

On Tuesday, September 23, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Pfizer will host its annual Patient Dialogue, bringing together patients and the pharmaceutical industry. Representatives from patient organizations across various medical fields, along with guests from science, medicine, and health policy, will discuss current topics in healthcare, research, and patient care.
A key goal of the event is to strengthen collaborative partnerships with patient organizations and work together to improve healthcare in Germany. The perspectives of those affected are to be included early in the development and communication of health solutions.

• When: Tuesday, September 23, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Live from the Ideenschmiede at the EUREF Campus Berlin
• Open to all – no registration required

This year’s focus topics:

• Patient safety
• Preventive care
• Home care
• Doctor-patient communication
• Digitalization in medicine

Peter Neske, Innovation Lead at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, will share his insights during the event. Other guests include Joachim Maurice Mielert, Secretary General of Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit, Friederike Koenig, Editor-in-Chief at yeswecan!cer, and Dr. Christian Lenz, Medical Director of Pfizer Germany.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Focus of the 10th Life Science Symposium: Digital Transformation in Life Sciences

In three dedicated tracks – R&D, Production, and Future of Health – experts from pharma, biotech, and IT will discuss the latest developments in digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainable processes. The event emphasizes practical insights and fosters exchange between industry and research.

• When: Wednesday, September 16–17, 2025
• Where: Spreespeicher Berlin, Stralauer Allee 2, 10245 Berlin

From Lab to Industry: The Pfizer Healthcare Hub Presents Its Quantum Annealing Project

Pembe Gül Bilir, Innovation Engineer at the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg, and Dr. Frederik F. Flöther, Chief Quantum Officer at QuantumBasel, aim to inspire companies to embrace quantum technologies. In a joint keynote, they offer insights into various quantum computing approaches and their applications in the life sciences industry.

One highlight: a real-world use case from Pfizer’s Freiburg site, where quantum annealing was used to optimize production planning. This pioneering project was conducted in collaboration with QuantumBasel, Switzerland’s leading quantum technology hub, and D-Wave, a provider of quantum annealing systems. The project compared quantum annealing with classical high-performance computing methods to solve complex scheduling challenges. The quantum approach delivered faster and more efficient production plans, reduced cycle times, and improved resource utilization – demonstrating the tangible benefits of quantum computing in industrial settings. 

Read more about the project

The keynote will explore:

• How Quantum AI is helping solve real-world challenges in the life sciences industry
• The importance of bold innovation cultures and strong collaborative networks
• What it takes to move quantum technologies from research to industrial application

We look forward to inspiring insights and engaging conversations!

The bitkom Quantum Summit is a key meeting point for thought leaders, technology experts, and policymakers who are shaping the future of quantum technologies together. The event focuses on concrete steps companies and institutions can take to become “quantum-ready.” It will take place from September 16–17, 2025, at the bcc Berlin Congress Center.

At the heart of the summit are the latest developments in quantum computing – from industrial applications and hybrid architectures combining AI and HPC, to questions of scalability and standardization. Leading experts will share insights in keynotes and panel discussions, demonstrating how quantum solutions are set to revolutionize areas such as production planning, cybersecurity, financial analysis, and more – including Peter Neske and Pembe Gül Bilir from the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg.

The Pfizer Healthcare Hub at the Bitkom Quantum Summit

Pfizer, in collaboration with QuantumBasel and D-Wave, has launched an innovative quantum technology project in the field of production planning. Peter Neske, Innovation Lead, and Pembe Gül Bilir, Innovation Engineer – both from the Pfizer Healthcare Hub Freiburg – will join Dr. Frederik Flöther, Chief Quantum Officer at QuantumBasel, to present the project’s objectives, results, and key learnings from the Proof of Technology.

Collaborative Quantum Innovation: Pfizer, QuantumBasel, and D-Wave's Success in Production Scheduling

When: September 16, 3:00 PM
Where: Bitkom Quantum Summit, Quantum Stack Stage

How Quantum Annealing is being used in Pfizer’s production planning

Pfizer leveraged the computational power of quantum annealing to optimize complex production planning processes that were previously considered unsolvable using classical methods. The quantum annealing approach was benchmarked against traditional techniques in a Proof of Technology.

Project goals included:

• Reducing planning time for schedulers
• Increasing machine utilization and production efficiency
• Minimizing operational costs and boosting overall productivity

The Proof of Technology delivered promising results that can be applied across various industrial use cases. Moreover, the project highlights how successful collaboration across different partners in the quantum ecosystem can pave the way for future advancements in quantum technology.