Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

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An In­for­ma­tion­al Vis­it – BMG State Sec­re­tary Dr An­tje Dra­heim at the Paul-Ehrlich-In­sti­tut

On 23 June 2022, Dr Antje Draheim, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, BMG) received information on the tasks, strategy and ongoing development of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut during her visit in Langen. The focal point was the Institute's contribution to coping with current and future pandemics, but strategies for the assessment of complex biomedicines were also discussed. The Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has been managing the pandemic vaccine supply for the population since May 2022. Experts from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut demonstrated the state-of-the-art batch testing of COVID-19 vaccines in the test laboratories.

Professor Klaus Cichutek, President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Dr Antje Draheim, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Professor Stefan Vieths, Vice President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Source: Morgenroth/Paul-Ehrlich-Institut) Professor Klaus Cichutek, President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Dr Antje Draheim, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health; Professor Stefan Vieths, Vice President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (Source: Morgenroth/Paul-Ehrlich-Institut)

Exchange with Medicines Experts at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

On 23 June 2022, Dr Antje Draheim, State Secretary at the BMG, visited the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines. In conversation with the President, Vice President and division heads, she received information on the strategy and ongoing development of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. The focus was on the Institute's contribution to managing the current pandemic and preparing for future pandemics. Topics included the adaptation of COVID-19 vaccines to new COVID-19 variants and the safety and batch testing of COVID-19 vaccines. Dr Draheim was able to observe the batch testing process live on-site in the test laboratory.

"The portfolio of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut includes medicine regulation tasks in connection with batch testing and task-related research. This is how we actively shape the international regulatory environment – this is what distinguishes our competence and strengths," explained Professor Klaus Cichutek, President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. This concept has made the Institute an important player during the pandemic and in non-pandemic times as well.

Dr Wolf Holtkamp demonstrates state secretary Dr Antje Draheim a testing method for the batch release of mRNA vaccines (Source: Morgenroth/Paul-Ehrlich-Institut). Dr Wolf Holtkamp demonstrates state secretary Dr Antje Draheim a testing method for the batch release of mRNA vaccines.

Preparation is Key

Experience has shown that the timely development, production and distribution of pandemic vaccines is one of the most important factors for a successful pandemic response. For this reason, the BMG has established the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. The ZEPAI has been in operation since May 2022.

About Dr Antje Draheim

Dr Antje Draheim took over the position of State Secretary at the BMG on 8 December 2021. In this position, she acts as a representative of the Minister and is responsible for the content areas of the BMG divisions. Prior to her appointment as State Secretary at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Sports in the Federal State of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania on 15 November 2021, the native of Rostock was State Secretary for Federal Affairs and Commissioner of Mecklenburg Western Pomerania to the Federation. As State Secretary, Dr Draheim coordinates the work of the divisions on behalf of the Federal Health Minister.

Updated: 23.06.2022