The IGES Institut
The IGES Institut is an independent research and consulting company specialising in healthcare and healthcare provision. Its combination of methodological expertise, extensive data analyses and practice-oriented research makes it a valued partner to policymakers, health insurers, service providers and the healthcare industry.
Through its evidence-based research and consulting activities, the IGES Institut has contributed to shaping the German healthcare system for more than 45 years. It has its origins at the Technical University of Berlin, where scientists founded the IGES Institut for Health and Social Research in 1980. In 2008, it was renamed the IGES Institut.
One of Germany's largest companies engaged in health systems research
Initially, the Institut's work focussed on analysing routine data from statutory health insurance funds. Over the decades, its range of expertise has been continuously expanded. IGES scientists now work on almost all structures and processes within the healthcare system. The main focus is on questions relating to the organisation, financing, governance, quality and efficiency of healthcare provision both in Germany and in other European countries. This makes the IGES Institut one of Germany's largest independent, privately funded organisations for health systems research and consulting.
Data analysis and practice-oriented consulting as a foundation
IGES experts work in interdisciplinary teams comprising specialists from the most diverse disciplines, including health economists, doctors, social and natural scientists, statisticians and mathematicians. They combine methodological expertise with an in-depth understanding of health and social policy contexts. Their work is fact- and evidence-based, combining extensive data analysis with practical consulting approaches.
Robust decision-making foundations for the further development of healthcare
The Institut’s research and consulting services support all those involved in shaping healthcare. They include policymakers, health insurers, associations, service providers, the healthcare industry and foundations. The aim is to provide them with a sound decision-making basis, thereby facilitating the continuous development of the healthcare system.
Continuity and growth as success factors
Over the years, the IGES Institut has not only continuously widened its range of services, but has also established or acquired specialist subsidiaries, including several in other European countries. This led to the creation of the IGES Group. Alongside the IGES Institut, it encompasses companies that provide research and consulting services across Europe for developers, investors and manufacturers of new healthcare technologies (medicinal products, medical devices and digital applications). Since 2025, these companies have operated independently: IGES GmbH provides services for pharmaceutical companies and athagoras Medtech GmbH provides services for medical device manufacturers.
Since 2025, the IGES Institut and other companies in the IGES Group have been part of the athagoras Group. It, too, brings together companies from the fields of healthcare provision and healthcare technologies. Its key areas are market access, regulatory affairs, pharmacovigilance, real-world data and IT. The objective is for the companies united within the athagoras Group to become a leading technology-enabled European specialist service provider for healthcare systems and for the clinical and commercial development of healthcare innovations.
What defines the IGES Institut
In addition to meeting high professional standards, IGES results are particularly valued because of the company’s independent position. This independence derives from our financial autonomy and from the fact that we work for a large and diverse range of clients across many different sectors. Objectivity is the guiding principle in all our research and consulting projects. Every question brought to the Institut is examined on the basis of data and facts, analysed using the best available methods.
We are experts in shaping regulation and competition and in developing innovations in healthcare, one of the key areas of public infrastructure.
We consistently adopt the perspective of the people who use the healthcare system and are committed to advancing better and more efficient healthcare provision.
The IGES Institut has broad access to its own primary data and to data sources maintained by other institutions. For four decades, we have transformed these data into valuable information and knowledge, enabling policymakers and public authorities, businesses and service providers to make informed decisions. We apply our expertise to studies, expert reports, publications, evaluations, concepts and strategies.
