Unlock the Power of Structural Biology

life_What inspired the founding of your company?
Martin Stieler_Through my experience and conversations with fellow structural biologists, I noticed that many companies were not leveraging protein structure data due to limited in-house expertise or reliance on traditional methods. As Head of Structural Biology in my prior role, I often wished for a partner to complement our expertise with training and in-depth consulting across the field. With BIMOVIS, we set out to fill that gap – helping organisations harness the value of structural insights to speed up development and advance new therapies.

life_What does BIMOVIS do?
Martin Stieler_BIMOVIS is short for biomolecular visualisation, reflecting our mission to support companies and academic institutions in every aspect of visualising biomolecules. Our expertise spans experimental structure determination by X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and cryo-ET; computational modeling and AI-based structure prediction; and visualisation tools such as scientific illustrations, 3D animation, 3D printing, and immersive VR. In addition, we provide training, workshops, and consulting to help partners apply these insights effectively to accelerate discovery, communicate complex science, and drive innovation.

life_Collaboration seems crucial in life sciences. How is BIMOVIS embedded in the Heidelberg ecosystem and beyond?
Martin Stieler_We are a member of BioLabs Heidelberg, an international incubator, and of BioRN, the regional life science cluster. For protein structure determination, we collaborate with EMBL, Heidelberg University, and partners such as Forschungszentrum Jülich, ensuring we can connect cutting-edge expertise with practical solutions for industry.

life_Who are your customers?
Martin Stieler_Our customers include start-ups, SMEs, large industry, and academia. We already have projects across our full portfolio with clients in Germany, Europe, the U.S., and Asia. A recent highlight is a start-up using our most advanced method, cryo-ET, to support Series A financing by showing how their inhibitor affects a transporter protein. This rapidly developing technique can resolve entire cells, including all cell components like proteins and membranes, to reveal in-cell processes at sub-nanometer level.

life_Is experimental protein structure determination costly?
Martin Stieler_With the right approach, protein structure determination can be both efficient and affordable. We follow a milestone-based workflow and use our in-house mass photometer to check purity and aggregation within minutes, saving both time and resources. In addition, we provide training and consulting to help our clients establish their own internal structural biology capabilities, making them more independent and reducing costs over time.

life_How does BIMOVIS help clients communicate complex biology through visualisation?
Martin Stieler_Molecular visualisations transform complex biology into clear, compelling stories that can be understood at a glance. This is important because people are busy and only buy or use what they understand. At BIMOVIS, structural biology experts and 3D artists work side by side to create scientifically accurate, visually powerful illustrations and animations – turning complex biology into compelling stories that resonate with scientists, investors, and partners.

Martin Stieler, CEO and Founder of BIMOVIS, holds a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry and later went to industry, taking responsibility for structural biology in drug discovery projects.

More Information: www.bimovis.com

The interview with Martin Stieler was originally published in the current issue of bioRN Life Science Cluster magazine life, a part of European Biotechnology Magazine Autumn 2025.