The new research center “Interfaculty Center for Endocrine and Cardiovascular Disease Network Modelling and Clinical Transfer” (ICON) was opened at the Großhadern/Martinsried campus. The center bundles interdisciplinary research on cardiovascular diseases, the most common cause of death in Germany, and links basic research with clinical application. With a concept that is unique in Europe, state-of-the-art equipment and optimized large animal models, ICON creates ideal conditions for innovative therapeutic approaches, particularly in imaging procedures, surgical techniques and animal husbandry.

The new six-storey building with 2,300 square meters of floor space includes laboratories, operating theatres, animal husbandry as well as office and evaluation zones. The construction costs of 63 million euros were shared by the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria, supplemented by co-financing from LMU and LMU Klinikum. ICON is the sixth research building that the federal and state governments have funded at LMU since 2007. The building, designed by Doranth Post Architekten GmbH, impresses with energy-efficient technologies such as heat recovery, adiabatic cooling and a photovoltaic system. Construction took just three years, which underlines the efficient cooperation between the federal government, the Free State and the Bavarian building authorities.

The center enables close integration of veterinary and human medicine as well as research and clinical practice. New diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are tested in genetically modified large animal models in order to quickly transfer innovative concepts to the clinic. The proximity to the LMU Clinic promotes translation, allowing patients to benefit directly from the research results. An art-in-architecture competition was also decided; the winning work “4 Durchgänge” by artist Jonas von Ostrowski will be realized from the end of 2025.

ICON marks a milestone for cardiovascular research and strengthens Bavaria as a science location in the long term.

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