The Swiss biotechnology industry is the sixth largest in Europe and the ninth largest in the world. Relative to GDP, however, Switzerland holds an even higher position, having the third largest biotech industry and the second-highest share of biotech companies in Europe specializing in the development of therapeutics. Furthermore, a closer look at the product pipeline of European public companies reveals that Switzerland is second only to the UK, and combined they represent more than half of the total European product pipeline.

With around 150 companies and a workforce of over 14’000, Switzerland boasts the world’s highest per capita biotech density. Overall, the country’s innovative capabilities, as a result of a sophisticated scientific environment, produce strong results in life sciences, micro-nanotechnology, and biotech equipment. The very favorable tax environment, a short product registration cycle, the easy access to markets, and the supportive administrative and regulatory framework for companies further enhances the attractiveness of the Swiss biotech industry.

In terms of scientific publications, French-speaking Switzerland boasts the leading position in the country and ranks third in Europe as a center of excellence in life sciences. BioAlps, located in Western Switzerland, has become a European hub for biotech research. The cluster is home to dozens of biotech companies, hundreds of research laboratories, and more than 10 universities, university hospitals and technical schools, including the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV).

Canton of Vaud has distinguished itself through numerous top-notch science parks and incubators, which foster the development of highly innovative start-up companies. Each science park and incubator provides the latest laboratory equipment, facilities, and state-of-the-art resources. Namely, Biopôle and the Science Park of EPFL ensure a constant source of inspiration to the biotech industry.

Western Switzerland has created a pool of major players in the biotech industry. Swiss-based Debiopharm and internationally renowned companies such as Merck Serono, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, have all contributed to a vibrant research and production environment.

The canton of Vaud is one of the principal research clusters in Europe in the biomedical field. In a recent edition, the magazine Science even granted it a central place in the European “Biomedical Valley”.

The most prestigious research centres include Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics or the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne (EPFL) and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lausanne (see “Research centres”).

Merck-Serono, Europe’s leading biotechnology firm, has its main production and pharmaceutical research institution in the canton of Vaud, in Corsier-sur-Vevey.

At the regional level, the canton of Vaud is also at the heart of the BioAlps, a life science cluster forming a global centre of excellence together with the neighbouring cantons (Geneva, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Valais).

Moreover, Biopôle SA, situated on the communes of Lausanne and Epalinges, has started the construction of a site entirely dedicated to welcome companies active in the areas of biotechnology and health technologies, the Biopôle.

Vaud hosts some 70 companies employing more than 2,000 people in the life sciences sector, ranging from start-ups to multinationals such as Serono (biotech), Medtronic and Beckman Coulter (medical engineering).

Development economic - State of Vaud (DEV)
Avenue de Gratta-Paille 2
P.O. Box 19
1000 Lausanne 22
Switzerland

Tel : +41 21 644 00 60
Fax : +41 21 644 00 79
E-mail : dev@dev.ch