Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology

Number one for life sciences

The GREATER GENEVA BERNE area’s outstanding performance – and future potential - in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology is acknowledged by Science magazine, which described the Lake Geneva area as the leading cluster for life sciences research in continental Europe.

The GGBa is home to dozens of biotech companies, hundreds of research laboratories and more than ten universities, university hospitals and technical schools. All participate in the region’s BioAlps and Medical Cluster knowledge transfer network that adds to the sector’s critical mass.

Proactive policy

Major international players such as Lonza and Merck Serono, Alcon, Crucell, Ferring pharmaceuticals, Baxter, CSL Behring, Glenmark, Glaxo-Smithkline, UCB Farchim, Debiopharm and Celgene have laid firm roots in the GGBa where red tape is kept to a minimum for quick access to the markets. Their collaboration with academic institutions and researchers has led to successful spin-offs such as AC Immune, Addex Pharmaceuticals, Pevion Biotech, Selexis, CELLnTEC, Xigen, Diagnoswiss, ExcellGene and Arrayon Biotechnology. Between six and twelve start-ups launch in the region every year.

Compared to competing life science centers, the GGBa’s advantages include:

• Short product-registration cycles;
• Fewer obstacles for R&D following the Federal Act
• on Genetic Engineering. Swiss legislation is compatible with the European Union but more streamlined; all notification and applications for  authorization are processed by one body: the Federal Coordination Center for Biotechnology;
• Facilities for Enterprising Science;
• State-of-the-art laboratory equipment, facilities and resources. Some of these are specifically dedicated to the development of life sciences activities, such as Eclosion in Geneva, Biopole in Lausanne or BioArk in Valais.

Seed funding

Just as important to commercial success, 40% of the Swiss Exchange’s (SWX) capital is invested in life sciences – an indication that the financial community and private investors alike are keeping a close watch on the sector. Switzerland has one of the highest levels of venture capital investment in Europe, with an average annual figure of SFr 200 million.