Greater Munich Metropolitan Area
Dr. Kai Lamottke is a distinguished entrepreneur and the visionary founder of Bicoll, a biopharmaceutical venture established in 2001. He brings his wealth of experience in the global biotech and pharmaceutical arenas to the forefront as Managing Director of Bicoll in Germany. His profound insights and extensive knowledge have not only positioned him as a key expert within the biopharma sector but have also led to advisory roles with prestigious organizations, including the European Commission, the German-Chinese Platform Life Science, and participation in McKinsey's Pharma R&D Summit. His remarkable contributions to the field include the initiation of co-funded international programs, with an aggregate value exceeding €30 million to date, dedicated to the discovery of innovative pharmaceuticals focused on brain health and neuroinflammation. This visionary leader has successfully shepherded products through the development pipeline, bringing them to the brink of market readiness. Dr. Lamottke's academic journey is marked by his attainment of a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Munich. He conducted pioneering research in the total synthesis of a compound known for its central nervous system excitatory properties at UC Berkeley, California. He further distinguished himself with an entrepreneur-in-residence stipend at TUM, Munich. Beyond his extensive professional accolades, he has been invited to participate in prestigious forums, exemplified by his involvement in the Young Global and National Leader Forums of the BMW Quandt Foundation. His dedication to advancing the frontiers of science and innovation, particularly in the realm of epilepsy research, continues to inspire and shape the future of biopharmaceutical endeavors.
Published aspects: ► "The Roots of Innovation", K. Lamottke, C. Ripoll, R. Walczak, Eur. Biopharm. Rev. 2011, 15, 54-56 (ISSN: 1369-0663). ► "Chinese Plants for Modern Drug Discovery Campaigns", CHIMICA OGGI-CHEMISTRY TODAY 25, no. 5 (2007). C. Haug, N. Feling, K. Lamottke. ► "Bicoll: The First Sino-German Biotechnology Company", K. Lamottke, C. Haug, N. Feling, 189-197 in Chapter 16, Part III "The Experience of Successful European Companies in China"; The Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry in China - Opportunities and Threats for Foreign Companies, 2005, Editors: G. Festel, A. Kreimeyer, U. Oels, M. v. Zedtwitz, Springer, ISBN: 3-540-22544-7. DOI: 10.1007/3-540-26561-9_16
Published aspects: ► Tremblay, Jean-Francois. "China strides toward global pharma role." Chemical and Engineering News 12 (2007). ► "未來藥物發展所面臨的威脅" ("Declining Biodiversity: A Threat to Future Pharmaceutical Development"), 费妮可博士 (Dr. Nicole Feling) 及李茂科博士 (Dr. Kai Lamottke), The Bulletin (Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce), 2006, JAN, 48-52. ► "SCHB 16-Establishing an R&D site in China", K. Lamottke. Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society. Vol. 232. 1155 16TH ST, NW, Washington, DC 20036 USA: AMER CHEMICAL SOC, 2006.
At the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Europe’s leading university for innovation and entrepreneurship, I teach Industrial Drug Research - a course that connects pharmaceutical science with real-world drug development. The focus lies on how therapies are developed and scaled, from idea to market. Case studies include blockbuster drugs like Lyrica for epilepsy, Eliquis, and GLP-1-based therapies (Semaglutides like Ozempic). We also explore how the industry is responding to major public health challenges, including the opioid crisis. As a biotech-founder and scientist, I bring a translational approach to teaching, helping students think critically about impact, scalability, and innovation in modern pharma.
Entrepreneurial Grant at TUM - Empowering Academics to Bring High-Tech Ideas to Market The Entrepreneur on Campus position at the Technical University Munich (TUM) is a highly sought-after entrepreneurship grant awarded by the Bavarian State Government's Ministry of Science, Research, and Arts. This grant is bestowed upon exceptional academics with innovative business concepts. Dr. Kai Lamottke, as a chosen talent, plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within TUM. This initiative empowers young peers to bring their cutting-edge technologies to market and establish high-tech businesses aligned with the university's focus areas. TUM is widely renowned as Europe's premier entrepreneurial university, particularly in the realm of high-tech startups. With the support of this esteemed award, Dr. Lamottke was instrumental in launching Bicoll. This endeavor took shape at the Chair for Organic Chemistry I, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Thorsten Bach within the Department of Chemistry at TUM. Part of these activities can be found under (only available in German): ► "Pionierarbeit – auch in der Mitarbeiterführung", C. Haug, K. Lamottke, ChinaContact, 2004, 1+2, 39-40. ► "Erfolg im Abwärtszyklus – Geschäftsmodelle, die vom schwierigen wirtschaftlichen Umfeld profitieren können", H. Arnold, K. Lamottke, Success Stories, Sonderausgabe Biotechnologie, GoingPublic Verlag, 2003, 122-123. ► "Mut zu kleinen Schritten!", K. Lamottke, Standpunkt Gründer, VentureCapital Magazin, 5/2003, 36. ► "Biotechnology in China - Picking new therapeutics", N. Feling, K. Lamottke German-Chinese Business Forum, 2002, 7, 2/16 – 2/18.
As an organic chemist at 4SC AG, he demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit and made significant contributions to the company's in-house program. His expertise in medicinal chemistry was instrumental in establishing a program dedicated to the development of new treatments for infectious diseases. He played a pivotal role in the design and setup of the company's chemical synthesis and analytical laboratories, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and the implementation of safety protocols. He also took charge of sourcing and procuring laboratory equipment, including analytical instruments and chemical reagents. Beyond his technical responsibilities, he exemplified his entrepreneurial drive by actively contributing to the advancement of 4SC AG's in-house program. He collaborated closely with the research and development team to design and synthesize novel chemical compounds with therapeutic potential. Additionally, he provided valuable guidance and support in the selection of appropriate drug targets, leveraging computational chemistry, molecular modeling, and rational drug design. His efforts played a key role in the evaluation of potential drug candidates and the progression of the program. In summary, his tenure at 4SC AG underscores his commitment to entrepreneurship and showcases his proficiency in medicinal chemistry, chemical synthesis, and laboratory operations.
Driven by his passion for education and working with bright minds, he participated in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) and served as an instructor at the Mountain Lake Biological Station in Virginia. In his role as an instructor, he took on the responsibility of designing and implementing a comprehensive curriculum for the summer school program titled "Mountain Ecology." This program provided students with a hands-on and immersive experience in the fields of ecology and natural product chemistry. He led and mentored students during field trips, which included activities like the isolation of natural compounds from mushrooms. Through his guidance and mentorship, he played a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of budding scientists and researchers who were part of his course.