Innovation Areas

Health and Life Sciences

Drug discovery and design, precision/personalized medicine, medtech, biotech, diagnostics, biomedical engineering, nutrition, human physiology

With its world-class universities, strong intellectual property protection and strategic location at the heart of Europe, Switzerland has become the preferred destination for global and regional pharmaceutical headquarters. These companies benefit from the cluster's extensive expertise across the entire value chain, encompassing the development, production and marketing of new products and services - all conveniently located in one place! The combination of state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly advanced healthcare system, which demands innovative solutions, makes Switzerland an extremely attractive location for research and development.

Switzerland Innovation is your gateway to the dynamic world of Swiss innovation in the life sciences. Our ecosystem offers you a platform for collaboration, access to state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare.

Our expertise spans diverse areas of the life sciences, including biomedical engineering, medical device development, diagnostics, imaging, nutrition and bioinformatics. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and state-of-the-art facilities, we foster cutting-edge research, encourage innovation and support the development of new technologies that have a positive impact on human health and well-being.

Highlights

What are particle accelerators and how do they help create new products?

We are used to thinking of particle accelerators as pure research instruments. There are however over 30'000 of them in the world and they are widely used by different industries, from med-tech and computer industry to food and security industries. Accelerator and related technologies are in the origin of many innovations.

Stimulating the Human Body's Self-Healing Powers

Drug Discovery Made in Switzerland

Drug discovery has come a long way from guess work to a structural and targeted approach to finding new and better remedies. To develop new drugs, companies need to stay up to date about the latest discoveries in genomics, proteomics, structural or quantitative biology.

Structure-based Drug Discovery Drives the Development of Novel Treatment Options

Founding a startup is a rendezvous with reality

Calciscon develops and markets the first and only diagnostic blood test to measure the likelihood of calcification in the blood. Kidney patients often have heightened levels of calcification. The Calciscon test offers new diagnostic, treatment and prognosis options.

PROTON THERAPY

This breakthrough technology for deep-seated tumor irradiation has become one of the leading forms of tumor and cancer treatment around the world. With proton therapy, tumor tissues are destroyed using protons.

Virtual Reality Specto VR

Medical Application of Virtual and Augmented Reality Tools. With the Virtual Reality tool SpectoVR, doctors can interact in a three-dimensional space with the patient data prior to surgery.

The MIRACLE Project

MIRACLE, short for Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Computer-guided LaserosteotomE, aims to develop a robotic endoscope to perform contact-free bone surgery with laser light.

Electron Diffraction for Drug Discovery

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Modern pharmaceutical development is tailored to the chemical and physical characteristics of active organic compounds. Obtaining a polymorph portfolio of a compound is a demanding process. With its advantages, electron diffraction represents one of the most promising fields of research for unlocking new possibilities in structure-based drug discovery.

Unprecedented level of detection

The results of the research and development activities in chemical, pharmaceutical and many other areas often depend on the correctly identified structure of the analyzed sample. X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) is considered the gold standard method for identifying and quantifying crystalline solid forms and provides the industry with crucial data.

Novel ligand-bound GPCR structures

Membrane protein drug targets represent a significant challenge for high-resolution three-dimensional structure determination limiting the discovery and development of novel medicines. leadXpro AG, a company at PARK INNOVAARE, successfully tackles the membrane protein structure identification challenge to advance the drug discovery process and bring better drugs to the market.

The value of the absolute structure

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The exact knowledge and understanding of a molecule’s structure underpin all the substantial progress in chemical and pharmaceutical research. Using state-of-the-art technologies at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the company Crystallise! has achieved unprecedented results in absolute configuration determination of a small single crystal of a light atom compound.

Breath test for detecting head and neck Cancer

Inhale, then exhale. This simple act could now save lives. A technology developed in part at EPFL can quickly identify the presence of a head and neck cancer, such as of the throat or mouth by analysing people's breath. The new device, equipped with extremely sensitive sensors, has been tested on patients and operates with a computer or even a mobile phone.

Better and cheaper DNA sequencing

EPFL scientists have developed a method that improves the accuracy of DNA sequencing up to a thousand times. The method, which uses nanopores to read individual nucleotides, paves the way for better – and cheaper – DNA sequencing. Reading the exact make-up of genes, scientists can detect mutations, or even identify different organisms.

Innovative Cancer Immunotherapy

IPS Biopharma is a biotech company developing a proprietary drug for use in the innovative cancer immunotherapy inCVAX for the treatment of solid metastatic tumors.

Japanese Medical Technology in Lausanne

Computer and Computational Science

Data security (for example blockchain), data analytics, artificial intelligence, storage technologies, the Internet of Things (IoT), smart sensors, cloud computing, bioinformatics, quantum technolgies

The Swiss ICT sector is characterized by a robust infrastructure, secure data centers and a commitment to data privacy. Whether it's optimizing processes, improving connectivity or leveraging data insights, Switzerland's ICT ecosystem offers unrivalled opportunities for organizations looking to embrace digital transformation. This proximity to cutting-edge research is one of the main reasons why global technology companies such as Google, IBM and HPE conduct their research from here.

From artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity, big data analytics, cloud computing and the Internet of Things, our expertise covers a broad spectrum of computing and computational science. At Switzerland Innovation, we take a collaborative approach, bringing together industry leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to foster knowledge exchange, stimulate innovation and accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough technologies.

Highlights

IBM Is Using AI and Drones to Help Spot Cracks in Airport Runways

Large Testing Area Serves to Further Develop Autonomous Driving

Ascento - More Security Thanks to Robotics

A Digital Copy of the World

Nomoko AG is developing the platform that will contribute to the creation of an entirely new market for products built on real-world-based 3D data. The core of the platform is built on Nomoko’s technology that will enable them to create accurate, ultra-realistic 3D models of the cities we live in – also called the “digital twin of the world”.

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Forbes recently called Switzerland “the Silicon Valley of Robotics” and said the country has “emerged as a serious competitor to California for the technologies, people and funding that will power the world’s fourth socio-economic revolution”. Find out why.

CYBATHLON

In 2016, the first ever Olympic-style competition for disabled people using robotics-based assistive technologies took place in Zurich: Cybathlon.

Virtual Reality Specto VR

Medical Application of Virtual and Augmented Reality Tools. With the Virtual Reality tool SpectoVR, doctors can interact in a three-dimensional space with the patient data prior to surgery.

Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

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Using a telepresence system developed at EPFL, 19 people – including nine quadriplegics – were able to remotely control a robot located in one of the university laboratories. This multi-year research project aims to give a measure of independence to paralyzed people. Each of the 9 subjects with disabilities managed to remotely control the robot with ease.

Energy, Natural Resources and Environment

Energy storage, smart grids, power generation, smart building / living, energy/resource efficiency, green chemistry, alternative energy sources

In the field of intelligent building and living, Switzerland is at the forefront of sustainable urban development and smart infrastructure. Switzerland's commitment to energy and resource efficiency extends beyond buildings. Our expertise in green chemistry promotes the development of environmentally-friendly materials and processes, reducing the environmental impact of various industries. By promoting the principles of the circular economy, Switzerland encourages the responsible use and recycling of resources, thus contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

At Switzerland Innovation, we stimulate innovation and accelerate the commercialization of sustainable technologies. Thanks to our extensive network and access to state-of-the-art facilities, we enable researchers, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to collaborate and create transformative solutions.

Highlights

It’s Now a Case of Knuckling Down until We’re Airborne!

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

At least two Swiss teams hold solar world records: Solar Impulse and AtlantikSolar. In 2016, Solar Impulse completed the first ever around-the-world flight in a purely solar-powered airplane. EPFL and Empa were key partners. AtlantikSolar, developed at ETH Zurich, holds the world record for the longest fully solar-powered flight ever (81 hours) of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

EVOLARIS AVIATIONS

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evolaris aviation gmbh – a spin-off of the Bern University of Applied science – has developed an electrical high power aerobatic motor for the swiss aerobatic aircraft VOTEC 221 in the past 2 years.

A new method for cheaper solar-energy storage

Storing solar energy as hydrogen is a promising way for developing comprehensive renewable energy systems. Building on a unique idea, EPFL scientists have now developed a simple, unconventional method to fabricate high-quality, efficient solar panels for direct solar hydrogen production with low cost.

A vision becomes reality for ennos ag at the Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

Mobility and Transportation

Aviation and space, autonomous driving, avionics and drones, electric mobility and batteries, traffic planning and transport systems, mobility infrastructure

Building on its significant advances in robotics and autonomous systems, Switzerland is leveraging precision engineering, mechatronics and artificial intelligence to drive innovation. Whether it's developing advanced avionics systems, harnessing the potential of autonomous vehicles or optimizing electric mobility with advanced batteries, this is where our focus lies. We recognize that mobility goes beyond the vehicles themselves. Using advanced data and analytics, we optimize traffic flows, reduce congestion and create more sustainable transportation systems.

Join us at Switzerland Innovation, where technological excellence, sustainable practices and a passion for mobility converge. Our commitment to innovation extends across the entire ecosystem, ensuring that our solutions meet the evolving needs of a rapidly changing world.

Highlights

IBM Is Using AI and Drones to Help Spot Cracks in Airport Runways

Large Testing Area Serves to Further Develop Autonomous Driving

Ascento - More Security Thanks to Robotics

A Digital Copy of the World

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

It’s Now a Case of Knuckling Down until We’re Airborne!

CYBATHLON

In 2016, the first ever Olympic-style competition for disabled people using robotics-based assistive technologies took place in Zurich: Cybathlon.

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

EVOLARIS AVIATIONS

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Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

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Manufacturing and Materials

Automation, Industry 4.0, advanced manufacturing, accelerator technology, nondestructive testing, new materials, nanotechnology, microelectronics, photonics

From additive manufacturing and 3D printing to precision engineering and acceleration technology, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible. By embracing the latest advances, we enable companies to stay one step ahead in the rapidly changing manufacturing landscape.These fields are revolutionizing manufacturing processes, enabling greater precision, efficiency and connectivity.

Working with leading research institutes, Switzerland Innovation accelerates the development of cutting-edge manufacturing processes, ensures product quality and reliability through advanced testing methods, and paves the way for the use of new materials in diverse industries.

Highlights

Cooling vests - successfully connected

Swiss Cobotics Competence Center Inaugurated at Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

What are particle accelerators and how do they help create new products?

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

CYBATHLON

In 2016, the first ever Olympic-style competition for disabled people using robotics-based assistive technologies took place in Zurich: Cybathlon.

The MIRACLE Project

MIRACLE, short for Minimally Invasive Robot-Assisted Computer-guided LaserosteotomE, aims to develop a robotic endoscope to perform contact-free bone surgery with laser light.