Innovation Areas

Health and Life Sciences

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

Highlights

Japanese Medical Technology in Lausanne

Japanese Medical Technology in Lausanne

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Better and cheaper DNA sequencing

Better and cheaper DNA sequencing

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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.

Breath test for detecting head and neck Cancer

Breath test for detecting head and neck Cancer

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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.

Unprecedented level of detection

Unprecedented level of detection

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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.

The value of the absolute structure

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.

Electron Diffraction for Drug Discovery

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.

Novel ligand-bound GPCR structures

Novel ligand-bound GPCR structures

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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 MIRACLE Project

The MIRACLE Project

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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.

Virtual Reality Specto VR

Virtual Reality Specto VR

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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.

Innovative Cancer Immunotherapy

Innovative Cancer Immunotherapy

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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.

PROTON THERAPY

PROTON THERAPY

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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.

Founding a startup is a rendezvous with reality

Founding a startup is a rendezvous with reality

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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.

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

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

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Drug Discovery Made in Switzerland

Drug Discovery Made in Switzerland

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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.

Stimulating the Human Body's Self-Healing Powers

Stimulating the Human Body's Self-Healing Powers

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

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

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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.

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

Highlights

Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

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.

Virtual Reality Specto VR

Virtual Reality Specto VR

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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.

CYBATHLON

CYBATHLON

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

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

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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.

A Digital Copy of the World

A Digital Copy of the World

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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”.

Energy, Natural Resources and Environment

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

Highlights

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

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

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A new method for cheaper solar-energy storage

A new method for cheaper solar-energy storage

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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.

EVOLARIS AVIATIONS

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.

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

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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).

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

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

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Mobility and Transportation

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

Highlights

Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

Disabled people pilot a robot remotely with their thoughts

More Details

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.

EVOLARIS AVIATIONS

EVOLARIS AVIATIONS

More Details

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.

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

SOLAR IMPULSE AND ATLANTIKSOLAR

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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).

CYBATHLON

CYBATHLON

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

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

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

Read more

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Read more

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.

A Digital Copy of the World

A Digital Copy of the World

Read more

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”.

Manufacturing and Materials

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

 
 
 
 
 
 

Highlights

Joint Venture Builds on PSI’s Accelerator Technologies

Joint Venture Builds on PSI’s Accelerator Technologies

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The MIRACLE Project

The MIRACLE Project

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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.

CYBATHLON

CYBATHLON

Read more

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

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Robotics: Innovation and R&D in Switzerland

Read more

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.

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

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

Read more

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.