Testimonials

“The SPARK support was essential for our work. Without the support by the BIH SPARK validation fund track 2, we would not have been able to continue with our clinical trial [...]. Apart from this financial support, it was extremely helpful to interact and communicate with SPARK experts.”
Prof. Dr. Peter Kühnen, Institute of Pediatric Endocrinology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

"For a scientist pursuing hypothesis-driven basic research, SPARK means a fundamental shift of perspective: Peer to peer guidance to stay on target for converting basic research into drugs ready for business and clinical application."
Prof. Dr. Regine Heilbronn, Director Institute of Virology CBF, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

"When first invited, I came for money. Now, I come for priceless expertise and multi-level support."
Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Schwarzer, Institute of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck (Team: Prof. Dr. Regine Heilbronn)

"I was so excited to participate in the SPARK mentoring program, because it provides a completely new perspective on the clinical translation of projects. For scientists it is so important to get insights into the process of translating basic research findings into treatments. These insights provided by the SPARK program definitely shaped my way of thinking about current scientific projects and future ideas."
Dr. Felix Lorenz, Captain T Cell, Molecular Cell Biology and Gene Therapy, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin

"With the help of the SPARK program we could refocus our priorities and were able to advance our project from an idea to a finished trial protocol."
PD Dr. Wolfgang Böhmerle, Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

"The monetary support by the validation fund helped to advance the evaluation and optimization of our compound. Furthermore, the SPARK team and advisors were helpful to outline our future strategy."
PD Dr. med. Karoline Krause, Dpt. of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergie-Centrum Charité, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

"Without financial support, the project would not have been possible and the fantastic SPARK team helped us to achieve tremendous progress in a structured and well-focused way."
Dr. Kostja Renko, AG Prof. Dr. Lutz Schomburg, Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin

"The SPARK meetings represent a wonderful exchange forum for getting ideas into practice. So many knowledgeable people from so many different but complementary fields are rarely found. A real gem in scientific exchange at the interface to practice not otherwise found in Germany but highly needed."
Prof. Dr. med. Udo Schumacher, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, (SPARK Advisor)