Many automatically associate Basel with Roche and Novartis. However, through its constant transformation, Basel has managed not only to be known for its chemical industry, but to assert itself as one of the most important clusters for life science.
Many people automatically associate Basel with Roche and Novartis. Together, the two pharmaceutical companies employ around 26,000 people in Switzerland and thus make a significant contribution to Switzerland's exports. Novartis closed 2021 with sales of 51.6 billion Swiss francs. Roche, on the other hand, also had a very successful year and even achieved sales of CHF 62.8 billion. Both Novartis and Roche have topped the rankings of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies for years and are therefore considered important and prominent components of the Basel region. The region is still the leading pharmaceutical region in Switzerland and Europe and can look back on a long tradition in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry.
Thanks to its constant transformation, Basel has managed not only to be known for its chemical industry, but also to assert itself as one of the most important clusters for life sciences.
Just 30 years ago, people in the Basel region were still talking about the chemical and pharmaceutical industry rather than the life sciences. In the 1990s, the two new companies Novartis and Syngenta were formed from the pharmaceutical divisions of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz. Large companies such as Roche and a number of other established companies subsequently shaped the location. However, new players such as Actelion and Basilea also emerged from the large pharmaceutical companies.
Over the past 15 years, the life science industry has again undergone major changes: Small and agile biotechnology companies have become increasingly important for research and development worldwide. These companies are rarely established in traditional pharmaceutical locations, but prefer innovation hotspots with strong university connections and secure conditions for start-ups and IP protection. The importance of such innovation hubs for the economy has also been recognized in Basel. The two companies Roche and Novartis naturally continue to shape the location. A large number of other companies are now active around the Novartis Campus and the two Roche towers. In order to create the best possible environment, infrastructures such as the Basel Technology Park and the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area have been established. In addition, startup incubator programs such as DayOne, BaseLaunch and Ridgeline have successfully established themselves. The Basel Launch portfolio alone raised over $ 390M in 2021. Anaveon recorded the largest financing round of all biotech companies in Switzerland in 2021.
In summary, this means that a large number of start-ups have settled in Basel in recent years. This transformation is helping Basel to continue to develop and change - into an active life science innovation hub with an exciting ecosystem and a strong attraction for companies and start-ups from outside the region. The success of Basel as a location is due in part to the favorable framework conditions. In addition, the presence of top-class colleges and universities such as the University of Basel and the branch of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH) play an important role. Last but not least, the proximity to Germany and France, to Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg international airport and to the Swiss Rhine ports is emphasized.
As a Basel-based company, it is important for us to play an active role in this life science cluster. We have specialized in recruitment in the life sciences sector for 40 years. Over the years, we have been able to support numerous companies and start-ups in filling various positions.
At Batterman Consulting, we serve you better! If you are currently looking for specialists, please contact us without obligation. We will be happy to work with you to develop the right recruitment strategy and actively search for the right people for you.
Find out more about our various products and services here: www.batterman.ch/life-science
Batterman Consulting Basel AG
Executive Search,
Byfangweg 1a, CH-4051 Basel
T +41 58 680 55 55
basel@batterman.ch
