The development of drugs is lengthy, complex and expensive. Approaches from organ-on-a-chip research promise to shorten the time to approval of new active ingredients. Together with experts from TU Darmstadt, Festo has developed an exhibit that demonstrates the automated production of such mini-organs: A bioprinter applies human cell material to a microfluidic chip, on which organ-like tissue then grows. Festo is combining two future technologies for the first time: SupraMotion and Diffusion Bonded Manifolds.

At NextGen Life Science Automation, Festo is researching new solutions for medical technology and laboratory automation. At Hannover Messe 2026, Festo and Fraunhofer IPA will be demonstrating the construction of a cassette for the process step of modifying cells in CAR-T cell therapy. Automation significantly reduces production times and costs, making customised cancer therapies faster, cheaper and available to more patients.

Festo, one of the world's leading manufacturers of automation technology, is fully integrating Eichenberger Gewinde AG from Burg in Switzerland as of 1 April 2026. In future, the Swiss company will operate under the name "Festo Gewindetriebe AG".

Bioprocesses are becoming increasingly important for industry, as they represent sustainable alternatives to conventional production processes and enable the manufacture of new products. With BioTech Automation, Festo is presenting an overview of already available components and solutions at Analytica based on selected cultivation processes, which will be demonstrated in three bioreactors: a loop bioreactor, a stainless steel reactor and a benchtop laboratory reactor.