SPECIAL ISSUE ON BIOALPS, THE LIFE SCIENCE CLUSTER OF WESTERN SWITZERLAND

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BioAlps 4 à 6: compagny profiles and business guide P38

INSIDE THE SECRETS OF THE BRAIN WESTERN SWITZERLAND’S BUOYANT NEUROSCIENCES CLUSTER TRANSLATES RESEARCH INTO INNOVATIONS 2 CONTENTS EDITORIAL 3

The brains who uncover the secrets of the brain

     How to explain a biological one of the most noble missions science can pursue, be- machine that contains 100 billion neurons each inter- cause taxpayers who support universities also happen connected by an average of between 1,000 and 10,000 to be patients. Neuropathologies account for a third of synapses to allow information to circulate at speeds of health-related costs in Europe. With ageing, the number up to 120 metres a second? How to explain emotions, of people aff ected by Alzheimers and Parkinsons is due consciences, dreams or love? And beyond that, how to explode in the coming years, threatening the econo- can you diagnose and cure the vast range of nervous mic viability of health systems as underlined by neuro system-related diseases that aff ect no fewer than one startup business angel Martin Velasco (see page 23). in three people worldwide? Strokes are the leading cause of handicap. Multiple scle- Explaining the brain, one of the last great frontiers of rosis aff ects 3 million people, placing an unbearable toll 14 science, is the fi rst critical mission of Campus Biotech on families, friends and social (see page 14) a futuristic facility in the heart of Geneva workers. And the list goes on. supporting 750 neuroscientists, engineers, psychiatrists, Because there are few if any Campus Biotech: Brains inside technologists, medical doctors... a tool that is for neu- cures for all these neurologi- Campus Biotech’s futuristic technological platforms attract the best scientists to the challenge of understanding, rosciences a bit like what CERN is for particle physics. cal problems, Campus Biotech curing and perhaps enhancing the human brain. BY FABRICE DELAYE It all started early in the 2000s when neuroscientist and the neurosciences cluster of Patrick Aebischer became president of the nearby Swiss Western Switzerland beyond it Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) (see have a second mission: to trans- page 40). He soon created the Brain Mind Institute with late discoveries in the lab to the the explicit ambition of discovering the biological basis patient’s bedside.  e Wyss of consciousness. He recruited promising young re- Center is off ering competitively searchers to join forces with the already strong pool of awarded support for neurotech- neuroscientists in the region. Among them was Henry nology projects that have the po- Markram whose ambition was to model all scientifi c tential to make substantial clini- knowledge about the central nervous system in order cal impact.  is promises an en- to build a digital simulation of the brain.  e project be- tire new generation of prosthesis came Blue Brain in 2005 and grew to become the Human which could be controlled by the NEWS & VIEWS FEATURES BIOALPS 4 À 6 BUSINESS GUIDE Brain Project when the European Union chose it as one nervous system and restore sen- of the two 1 billion euros-funded research initiatives of sory perception. 6 Sophia Genetics 14 Campus Biotech: 38 Regen Lab 52 BioAlps its fl agship Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) With the support of the various institutions in the re- democratises Brains inside Business Guide 39 Cosmotech programme in 2012. gion such as the University of Applied Sciences Western data-driven  e same year an unfortunate event happened in Switzerland in Geneva (HEPIA) and the Swiss Institute medicine 17 In Henry Markram’s brain 40 EPFL Geneva. Pharma company Merck, which had acquired of Bioinformatics, Campus Biotech is emerging as a Geneva-based Serono, decided to downsize its opera- powerhouse in neurosciences. A new building has just 8 Ferring celebrates 41 Bio Factory 10 years of presence 20 Health Valley map tions there, leaving the brand new headquarters built opened to welcome the startups that will spin off from in Switzerland 22 Neuroscience 42 Vifor by Serono empty. Former owner Ernesto Bertarelli research done there and in the region. Everybody is now start-up did not accept this situation. Together with entrepre- aware that breakthrough research in neurosciences may 9 Amazentis prepares 43 Celgene neur Hansjorg Wyss, who had just sold Synthes Stratec lead to success. Not least because one of the fi rst neu- to launch the 24 MindMaze to Johnson & Johnson, he decided to buy the facility. roscience startups that has emerged from this cluster, “vitamin C of 44 Akabe Aebischer and the dean of the University of Geneva, AC Immune, has just succeeded in making an IPO on anti-ageing” 26 The BeNeFri, Jean-Dominique Vasalli, off ered to move the Human NASDAQ and is moving forward with its revolutionary a network for 45 Sintetica 10 The SICHH, Brain Project as well as various research initiatives drugs for Alzheimer’s. studying the brain 46 HES-SO CONTENT incubator such as the National Centre of Competence in Research  e story of the brains exploring the brain on the 28 Neurorehabilitation 47 SIB “Aff ective Sciences – Emotions shore of Lake Geneva has just 12 The Biopôle: a 3 From the editor in Individual Behaviour and begun. We hope you’ll enjoy vibrant life science 30 Building a strong 48 Covance FABRICE DELAYE Social Processes” into the new- “Campus Biotech translates discovering in the following community patent portfolio in 4 From the President ly opened Campus Biotech. pages what’s coming next. neurosciences 49 Debiopharm BENOIT DUBUIS 13 Nanolive’s 3D of Bioalps Hansjorg Wyss added a grant to discoveries in the lab to the cellular exploration 32 Safe Host 50 Ziemer Ophtalmic 5 Guest editorial create the Wyss Center for Bio FABRICE DELAYE JOHN DONOGHUE and Neuroengineering. patient’s bedside.” Editor of Technology

35 GGBA 51 OM Pharma 36  e Large View COUVER: DR, CONTENT: DR PHOTO: NINGHETTO Understanding the brain is by Bilan

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 4 EDITORIAL EDITORIAL 5

Health Valley: the Dynamics Geneva’s Wyss Center is poised of Global Innovation for the neurotech revolution

     , our region in the West of companies are already here. AC Immune, Asceneuron, From developing mind control devices that help pa- side and outside the body. Switzerland near the lake of Geneva has become the GenKyoTex and Novimmune, for example, as well ralysed people move again to bionic eyes and even a  e Wyss Center now has 18 projects including Health Valley, a world-class laboratory for discovering as many others, are growing companies whose roots solution for dyslexia, Geneva’s Wyss Center wants Neurocomm - our miniaturized, wireless version of and developing the healthcare of the future.  anks to are fed by the innovation originating in our research to be at the heart of the neurotechnology revolution. the early BrainGate technology with the potential to many visionary individuals, exceptional infrastructure institutions and which benefi t from our supportive directly reactivate paralyzed limbs through thought. and fi nancial support, the Bioalps life sciences cluster environment. Ever since my early training in biology I have wanted to We are also working on a novel electrode to restore has become one of the most dynamic and innovative Indeed, beyond the scientifi c and technological inno- know what makes humans so smart. We know that our vision and a project exploring brain stimulation to help in Europe. It is driven by leading scientifi c research and vations of the Health Valley, it is critical to ensure that brains produce interesting functions like creativity, or people with dyslexia powered by exceptional people supporting the commer- these discoveries are translated into measurable benefi ts the skilled movement of a ballet dancer through com- When Hansjörg Wyss decided to create the Wyss cialisation of academic innovation through to indus- in the clinic and that they will be put to the service of the plex patterns of neural activity, but we are still a long Center here in Geneva, he knew there was alrea- trial application with the ulti- patient as soon as possible.  ere is always a long matu- way from fully understanding how the brain accom- dy a great deal of cutting edge mate aim of improving the lives ration time between scientifi c discovery and clinical plishes these remarkable feats. Until relatively recently brain science and technology of patients and their families. application - Pasteur and Koch highlighted the existence we didn’t even have a way to study and record activity development going on in the  is magazine off ers a deep of germs in the 19th century, but it took a generation to from the brain directly. region. Hansjörg has given me dive into the spectacular expan- benefi t from the development of antibiotics.  e aim Ten years ago, at Brown University in the US, we de- the freedom to develop the sion of the Bioalps Health Valley, should be to continue to reduce this time to a minimum, veloped a little electrode-array that picks up patterns Wyss Center in such a way that one of the fastest growing life and for that it is necessary to test these new approaches of signals when placed on the brain.  is was the key we can combine the crucial science clusters in the world and and active substances as effi ciently as possible in order to the BrainGate system that my team and I worked elements of neurotechnology rated the third most important to answer the simple question of whether they help save on. By implanting a tiny sensor in the area of the brain development - neuroscience, European centre for research lives and improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens. that generates movement commands, we were able engineering, clinical expertise into biotechnology and medi- To accelerate this transfer we help empower com- to reconnect the brain to the outside world for people and business - and make a real cal technologies after the UK’s petent intermediaries, entrepreneurs and investors, with paralysis.  e sensor detects brain signals that are diff erence in neurotechnology Oxford and Cambridge. and provide an environment that will help them bene- transmitted to a computer, connected through a plug development. It comprises around 1,000 fi t from our fertile region and encourage them to create on the head.  e computer then translates the brain As Director, I have been gi- companies, 500 research labo- jobs and local wealth. signals into simple actions that can be performed by a ven a tremendous opportunity ratories and 40 research insti-  e Health Valley is abundant with opportunities. It robot arm, such as picking up a cup to take a drink.  e to advance exciting but risky tutes, universities and univer- has allowed a number of companies to enjoy exceptio- next step would be for the brain signals to be connected new ideas to help people with sity hospitals as well as many nal growth, justifying the several hundred million francs back to the arm muscles, so a paralyzed person could brain disorders. To do this we bodies supporting innovation invested over the past few years by companies such as move their body again. provide a team of specialists including science parks, incubators for startup com- UCB, Nestlé Health Sciences, Celgene or CSL Behring. Its While these experiments were revolutionary at the with broad technical and business expertise, access to panies, venture capital funds and new innovation hubs assets are the basis of the success of companies including time, we are still not at a stage where the system is ready Campus Biotech’s state-of-the-art facilities and fi nan- such as Campus Biotech and the Wyss Center. Ferring, J&J, Medtronic, Debiopharm and many others. to be rolled out by clinicians across the world to help cial resources. Above all, the Health Valley is a centre of excellence Whether we look at regional competitiveness on people with paralysis. One limiting factor is usability. We are now in the process of scouting for innovative that attracts many leading scientists, stemming as much the level of investment, demand perspective, products, Refi ning the plug on the head, the large cable and huge ideas and, as we are not-for-profi t, we have found that from its dynamic nature as from its resources in research technologies, the fi nancial situation of industrial com- computer to create a usable device will take the combi- people are willing to talk to us and discuss their ideas and development and its dense industrial fabric which panies, technological quality, level of training/compe- ned skill sets of an interdisciplinary team of specialists as well as the technology development challenges they off ers so many opportunities. tencies or entrepreneurial drive, all these indicators including engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians. face.  e local Lemanic community is a tremendously Today, on account of its excellence and supportive show the region to be competitive on a global scale. However, as with the transformation of mobile fertile area for ideas and we have fully embraced these environment, it is a premier location for industries ac- Our ambition is to make sure that Bioalps maintains phones that we have seen over the past 30 years, we as well as attracting projects from Europe and the US. tive in the life sciences.  e proof lies in the many com- its leadership in innovation and guarantees prosperity are witnessing the beginning of a similar revolution in We are in good company at Campus Biotech. Here panies working in the diff erent fi elds of life sciences in an increasingly competitive and fast-paced world. neurotechnology.  is is where the Wyss Center comes in Geneva, at the former Merck-Serono research cam- which have established themselves in the region, inclu- We are doing this by focusing on the fundamentals: in. Our aim is to take truly innovative neurotechnology pus, we have six neuroscience entities in one building. ding Baxter, Beckman Coulter, Celgene, Debiopharm, creating an optimal environment for the exceptional ideas from the lab and accelerate their transformation  ere’s an amazing energy to the place. I see this as the Edwards, Ferring, Johnson & people who are the cornerstone into useful products that cli- next phase, the time when all Johnson, Lonza, Merck Serono, of our academic, industrial, nicians can use to help people the pieces of the neurotechno- Medtronic, Stryker and UCB “Tomorrow’s companies are medical and entrepreneurial with nervous system disor- “The Lemanic community logy jigsaw fall into place, here Farchim. More recent arrivals community. ders. We want to be part of the in Western Switzerland. include Alcon, Incyte, Santen, already there such as AC neurotechnology revolution by is a tremendously fertile Ariad and Nestlé Health Science, BENOIT DUBUIS developing smart, miniaturized PROFESSOR JOHN DONOGHUE just to mention a few. Immune, Asceneuron...” President of Bioalps devices that can communicate area for new ideas.” Director, Wyss Center, based

Even better, tomorrow’s [email protected] PHOTOS: MÉGEVAND, DR wirelessly with each other - in- at Campus Biotech, Geneva

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 6 NEWS & VIEWS NEWS & VIEWS 7

emerging fi rm continues to expand, the technology it develops has not been overlooked. To improve the procedure of genetic data transfer still further, SOPHIA GENETICS Camblong has turned to laboratories at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), where Sophia Genetics fi rst saw the light of day. DEMOCRATISES Professor Jean-Pierre Hubaux – himself a pioneer in genomic information confi - dentiality – will be piloting an ambitious project with a $1 million budget. “It was necessary to combine several crucial DATA-DRIVEN MEDICINE aspects,» he explains. «Huge fi les of raw data needed to be compressed, then In 2014, 5,000 patients benefi tted encrypted, and their selective reading PAR MATTHIEU HOFFSTETTER AFTER HAVING DEVELOPED A PERSONALISED from data-driven diagnostics with the enabled so that the data can be accessed DIAGNOSTICS SOLUTION BASED ON LARGE AMOUNTS OF GENETIC DATA FROM data screened by Sophia Genetics. In in as subtle a way as possible.” PATIENTS, SOPHIA GENETICS IS WIDENING ITS OFFER TO OTHER PARTNER 2015, the total increased to 22,000, and  e mission is far from simple. Not MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS WHILE CONTINUING TO WORK ON DATA SAFETY. by the end of 2016, the fi rm expects to only are genome sequencing data extre- reach 80,000 patients. «In January we mely bulky because of information performed 3,000 analyses, while in June redundancy – fi les reach 500 Go per urgi Camblong founded Sophia we managed to complete 5,000”, says patient – but you also need to develop Genetics in 2011. Originally from Camblong. In parallel, clinics and hospi- software that is capable of reading the the Basque Country, he now lives in tals are coming to understand how data in a selective manner. Supported by the French-speaking part of important the Swiss startup’s solution is: the Swiss Commission for Technology J Switzerland where he launched his “Barely a year ago, we were signing fi ve and Innovation (CTI), the project fi nally startup with a strong conviction: “ e to six opportunities a month. Currently achieved its aim in the spring of 2016 and more we have detailed genetic data on we are signing 25 a month. It’s a snowball the device was patented. patients, the more we will be able to eff ect”, Sophia’s CEO adds. In the past few months, the services fi ne-tune the treatment for their patho-  e company’s growing success can off ered by Sophia Genetics have in- logy”. Camblong quickly recognised that also be measured in terms of its work- creased and new health establishments his fi rm would have to combine two force. In 2011, there was a handful of are able to benefi t from their solution. major assets: scientifi c rigour and high collaborators, but by June 2015, Sophia “Until recently, our only partners were informatics data security. ISO accredita- Genetics had 60 employees and was large hospital facilities who had the tions 13485 for medical devices and 27001 expecting a staff of 100 by the end of means to sequence the genome of their for data safety have since validated these 2016. “Currently, we have a staff that has patients,» says Camblong. «Today, clinics two key axes. already exceeded 100 and by December and hospitals with fewer means and less this year there will be over 140 collabo- equipment can also benefi t from our European expansion rators”, says Sophia’s CEO enthusiasti- solution. All they have to do is send their  e months rolled by and partnerships cally. Camblong’s ambition for his fl ed- patients’ samples to the larger hospitals were forged with prestigious university gling company is no secret: “We would who sequence the DNA for them and hospitals in Switzerland, France and like to be the leaders in data-driven then transfer the information to our Germany as well as in many other medicine on a global scale.” he says. By Sophia DDM platform.” countries in Europe. As data was being the end of 2015, partner hospitals in 20 transferred by the diff erent laboratories European countries had already adopted On Obama’s short list to Sophia Genetics, the fi rm perfected its “Sophia Genetics will Sophia’s solution. Currently 27 countries Norman Foster:  anks to this procedure, the solution algorithm, enabling physicians to esta- collaborate with Sophia, now based in Jurgi Camblong can be applied to a wider range of pa- blish more and more precise diagnoses have 140 collaborators Saint-Sulpice in the Canton of Vaud, founded the fast «Ces espaces jouent un tients. “It was our objective from the and to off er treatment which was not Switzerland, and the company is begin- growing start-up very start,» Camblong enthuses. «By only personalised but also more at the end of 2016.” ning to expand outside Europe. in 2011. rôle social au sens large» way of a hospital facility community, we eff ective.  ough the volume of activity of this wanted to democratise solutions based

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 8 NEWS & VIEWS NEWS & VIEWS 9

on data-driven genomics.”  ere is no question, however, of disclosing data: samples are entrusted by less well- AMAZENTIS PREPARES TO LAUNCH equipped establishments to those with better facilities so that sequencing can be performed, and the data are pro- Michel L. cessed by the Sophia DDM diagnostic Pettigrew THE “VITAMIN C OF ANTI-AGEING” testing platform. Following this, the joined Ferring physicians themselves, who are in in May 2001. reveals that it extends life by 45% in lab BY FABRICE DELAYE THANKS TO A COLLABORATION WITH RESEARCH direct contact with their patients, worms C. elegans, and in the case of aged SCIENTISTS, A LAUSANNE-BASED STARTUP HAS IDENTIFIED A NATURAL receive the resulting information mice, increases longevity by 42% compa- COMPOUND THAT REDUCES MUSCULAR AGEING. HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS which helps them decide on the best red to the control group. In younger rats, HAVE ALREADY STARTED. possible treatment for their patients. the ability to run is increased by 65%. FERRING CELEBRATES Clinical trials on humans that have A revolution in diagnostics recently started need to confi rm whether  is is a revolutionary approach in EPFL’s professor Johan this compound may be considered the diagnosis and treatment that American 10 YEARS OF PRESENCE Auwerx has identified fountain of youth. But we can be optimis- investors were quick to acknowledge. a natural compound tic. First because mitochondria entered In an open letter to US president Barack against aging. the cells of animals, plants, fungi and Obama published on July 13, Tracxn’s IN SWITZERLAND protozoa (eukaryotes) from a symbiotic venture capitalists established a list of bacteria two billion years ago and is fi fteen startups that could change the BY MICHEL L. PETTIGREW* A LEADER IN PEPTIDEpatients BASED in diffTHERAPIES, erent geographies. We also therefore a universal biological mecha- FERRING HAS BECOME AN ENGINE state of medicine and science in a want to have the opportunity to work in nism. Secondly, because the compound LIFE SCIENCES RESEARCHES positive way. Only one of these fl ed- closer collaboration with our healthcare in question, or rather its precursor, is IN WESTERN SWITZERLAND. gling entrepreneurs was not American, partners. present in large quantities in pomegra- and it was Sophia Genetics. “For us, it is At the beginning of this year, we chan- nates, nuts and berries that humanity has hugely encouraging to be part of a erring Pharmaceuticals is a research- ged our global infrastructure to have a consumed since the hunter-gatherers of selection that stemmed from the driven biopharmaceutical company stronger regional presence with the set-up the Paleolithic age. It is also found in United States”, Camblong confi des. Ffounded in Malmö, Sweden in 1950 of regional centres which encompass all acorns from oak trees consumed as fl our Especially since this open letter was a and headquarted in Switzerland. We are a aspects of our work from R&D through by Native Americans.  is long history of reaction to President Obama’s appeal to privately-owned company which always manufacturing to marketing and sales. consumption suggests the substance is uncover innovations that would allow allowed us to put science fi rst and profi ts We just celebrated the 10 years anni- safe, unlike many promising chemicals notable advances in science and second and is the basis of our long-stan- versary of our presence in Saint-Prex. On mazentis has been somewhat A scientific breakthrough that have failed the test of human trials medicine. ding success. this site we make two products and we under the radar since it was To understand this, we have to look at the because of toxic side eff ects. Only two other startups in the data- We concentrate our activities on condition about 65 % of the global pro- founded in 2007 by Patrick way our cells work. In many of them, driven medicine sector were selected. innovative peptide and endocrine re- duction, including the secondary packa- Aebischer, president of the Swiss mitochondria - structures that have their A premium strategy Sophia Genetics is clearly a reference in search with the aim to identify, develop ging of most of our medicines. We are A Federal Institute of Technology in own genomes - play an essential role in  e simple solution may appear just to eat the fi eld and in the most infl uential and market innovative products in the proud to be a global company while being Lausanne (EPFL), Novartis board member metabolising food digested as glucose large quantities of pomegranates or rasp- circles. “Until recently, our strategy was areas of reproductive health, urology, very committed locally. Pierre Landolt, Roche vice-chairman into the main source of energy in our berries. But biology is a little more subtle. to establish a fi rm in Europe as a fi rst gastroenterology, endocrinology and Our intention is to stay and to continue André Hoff mann and Chris Rinsch, its CEO. body, adenosine triphosphate or ATP. In  ese fruits contain compounds called step while we developed our solution orthopaedics. to invest durably in our site of Saint-Prex.  e headcount of this lean startup, based this process, which takes place by oxida- ellagitannins that are transformed into via our platform and algorithms,” In recent years Ferring has expanded In 2015, we were very honoured to at EPFL’s Innovation Park, has always been tion, the mitochondria are damaged by urolithins during digestion by intestinal Camblong says. “ en we imagined beyond its traditional European base and receive the “Prix Vaudois des Entreprises limited to the essentials, but it found its free radicals. Nature has provided a way fl ora, but it is only one of these, urolithin turning towards the United States now has 6,700 employees, its own opera- Internationales 2015”, in the category strength in targeted scientifi c collabora- of recycling this damaged mitochondria, A, which restores the mitochondrial once everything was on our side. It so ting subsidiaries in nearly 60 countries “foreign company «. It is a great reward tions, in particular with professors Johan but the process, mitophagy, becomes recycling process, not the primary com- happens that we have grown unexpec- and its products marketed in 110 for our eff orts in the areas of local pro- Auwerx and Carmen Sandi at EPFL. gradually less effi cient over time - one of pound, and the process of converting this tedly fast, and American investors are countries. duction, scientifi c collaboration, job Now an article published earlier this the main reasons why older people by the intestinal fl ora varies greatly de- already backing us. So much so that we creation and support for the local year by Nature Medicine suggests that gradually lose muscle function. pending on the individual. In more than can now clearly state our objective: we Science first community. Amazentis is about to achieve a huge Amazentis and Prof Auwerx’s research 50% of people, the transformation does aim to become global leaders in the Today our focus is still on research and on breakthrough. It has identifi ed a natural group have identifi ed a natural com- not take place at all because of a lack of the computer-aided diagnosis of genomic further development of our existing * MICHEL L. PETTIGREW, President of the food supplement that reduces ageing in pound that restores mitophagy.  e right bacteria in their gut, and it may vary Executive Board of the Ferring Group data.” products to better meet the needs of our PHOTO: DR muscle. article published by Nature Medicine during life, making it impossible to predict

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 10 NEWS & VIEWS NEWS & VIEWS 11

Dr Jean-Marc Brunner, CEO of the Swiss Integrative Center FROM SWITZERLAND TO THE WORLD for Human Health. creates growth and balances risks like WHAT MAKES SWISS BIOTECH FIRMS GREAT IS THEIR INTERNATIONALITY. currency fl uctuations. Switzerland Global Enterprise makes he Tasly Holding Group has its core sure exporters get all the support they business in the biological medicine need, mandated by the Swiss State Tand is dedicated to build a modern Secretariat for Economic Aff airs SECO, and international Traditional Chinese off ering a broad range of services from the eff ects of the naturally-occurring Medicine brand. Following a rapid basic trade information to sophisticated ellagitannins. growth in the last 20 months, Tasly made consulting for international business So Amazentis has come up with the the decision to set up European head- cooperation with leading biopharma- projects, relying on a network of 21 idea of short-circuiting the natural process quarters – after a fi rst contact on a road ceutical players. Swiss Business Hubs all over the world. by producing urolithin A as a dietary show with the Swiss Business Hub in  e presence of international top Collaborating closely with supplement like vitamin C - Beijing, the representative of companies like Tasly is proof of Confederation and Cantons, S-GE also and potentially with just as big a market. Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) in Switzerland’s vibrant technology cluster. acts as Switzerland’s offi cial investment Euromonitor estimates the worldwide China, Tasly had initial meetings with Representing only 0.1 % of the global promotion agency, providing interested dietary supplements market at about $50 the Economy Development Agency of population, 4.8 % of the world’s private foreign companies with information on billion in 2015 with annual growth of Western Switzerland (GGBa). With the research and development expenditure Switzerland as business location. Within 4.4%. Including energy drinks and vita- help of the Swiss authorities, they fi nally is made here. Large or small, Swiss both mandates, S-GE is thus dedicated to mins, the market is expected to exceed made the decision to settle in Geneva biotech companies make business keeping the Swiss biotech system what it $100 billion next year. where they saw a strong potential for abroad.  eir broad global orientation is: one of the best in the world.  e pomegranate, whose benefi ts have long been known, is already part of this market. A Californian company founded in 2002, Pom Wonderful, has built a success story on the exploitation of its juice - but without strong scientifi c evi- REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH DRUG PIPELINE dence to back it up or critical understan- ding of the role of the intestinal fl ora that vary between individuals. THE SICHH: RE-THINKING ATTRACTS TOP TIER INVESTORS Cardio and neuro applications cent of all women by age 35. Finally the  rough strategic in-licensing agree- PAR FABRICE DELAYE GENEVA-BASED In addition to its strategy of developing demand of assisted reproductive tech- ments with Japanese pharma company BOX OF INCUBATOR AND OBSEVA RAISED CHF 60 MILLION dietary supplements from natural pro- nology – the number of babies Kissei Pharmaceutical as well as the FROM BIG NAME INVESTORS TO ducts on a scientifi c basis, Amazentis has conceived with this procedure doubled development of compounds fi rst identi- MOVE ITS REPRODUCTIVE done all the work for the commercial between 2002 and 2012 when the total fi ed at Merck-Serono, ObsEva has esta- HEALTH-FOCUSED PIPELINE INTO launch of urolithin A including preparing INNOVATION CATALYST was 326,426 – continues to increase and blished a late-stage clinical pipeline with LATE-PHASE TRIALS. for scale production and studying the improving success rate remains an multiple development programmes impact of industrialised processes on BY DR JEAN-MARC BRUNNER IN A WORLD WHERE FONDAMENTAL AND APPLIED objective. focused on treating uterine fi broids, product composition. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEED TO INTERACT MORE EFFECTIVELY, illions of women worldwide endometriosis, assisted reproductive So after fi ve years of applied and THE SWISS INTEGRATIVE CENTER FOR HUMAN HEALTH (SICHH) between the ages of 20 and 50 Moving to phase III technology and premature birth. fundamental research, it is ready. “ e DISTINGUISHES ITSELF BY ITS INTEGRATIVE, HOLISTIC APPROACH. Msuff er from reproductive health Geneva-based ObsEva aims to improve Only two years after its creation, fi rst clinical results on humans let us conditions that aff ect their quality of life on the current treatment landscape with ObsEva raised CHF 60 million from new consider fairly rapid commercialisation,” as well as their ability to conceive.  ese the development of new oral medicines prominent investors such as HBM says Chris Rinsch. “But Amazentis does ombining academic and indus- well as identifying new biocompatible conditions can even lead to babies dying for each of these medical conditions. Healthcare Investments, New Enterprise not plan to be a mere subcontractor of the trial excellence, SICHH is materials. during neo-natal period. Associates (NEA), OrbiMed and Rock food industry. Starting our own product is located in the new blueFactory Premature birth is today the biggest Springs Capital as well as existing big one of the tracks envisaged.” innovation site in Fribourg. We Strategic industry partners cause of neonatal death (death in the name investors including Sofi nnova It may be possible to justify a premium C off er customised Research & Organised as a not-for-profi t limited fi rst 28 days of life) globally, and is now Partners, which seeded the company, price by marketing urolithin A as a dietary Development services adapted to the company, SICHH shares are held by a the most common cause of child deaths Sofi nnova Ventures, Novo Ventures and supplement sold in the same way as needs of each client. Our specialists network of Swiss science and applied (under the age of 5), accounting for a MS Ventures. With these proceeds, the vitamin C or magnesium rather than just manage projects mainly in the fi elds of science universities. We have created a total of 1.1 million deaths in 2013. company is conducting a phase IIb trial , as an ingredient to enrich yogurt or cereal. medical technology, biotechnology, food strong knowledge network by integrating Endometriosis, a disease in which tissue OBE2109, for the treatment of fi broids But, as has been seen with omega 3, technology and pharma in a creative internal competencies with those of our that normally grows inside the uterus and a phase IIb for endometriosis. Its two both approaches are possible, especially environment with technological intelli- academic partners. Zeiss, the world develops outside, aff ects an estimated other products, OBE001 and OBE022, for as urolithin A could have applications - gence support. leader in optical microscopy, and one in 10 women during their reproduc- treatment of premature birth, are also albeit yet to be demonstrated - in the Our skills are embodied in scalable Nanosurf, a specialist in atomic force tive years. Uterine fi broids are very entering phase III and phase I respecti- cardiac fi eld and on the brain, for projects focusing among other things on microscopy, were the fi rst to join our common non-cancerous (benign) vely.  e 25-strong company is currently example in preventing Parkinson’s building the latest generation of dia- network of strategic industry partners, tumors that develop in the muscular Ernest Loumaye is co-founder and Chief recruiting and aiming to reach a head- PHOTO: DR disease. gnostic tests for the medical world as enabling us to provide unique services. PHOTO: DR wall of the uterus and aff ect about 30 per Executive Officer of Obseva. count of 30 by the end of the year.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 12 NEWS & VIEWS NEWS & VIEWS 13

134’000 m2 of offices and laboratories where all partners can thrive.

NANOLIVE’S MICROSCOPE INTRODUCES THE BIOPÔLE: DISCOVER A VIBRANT 3D CELLULAR EXPLORATION FABRICE DELAYE THANKS TO A MAJOR INNOVATION IN PHOTONICS, LIFE SCIENCE COMMUNITY THE LAUSANNE-BASED STARTUP HAS MADE HIGH-RESOLUTION OBSERVATION OF LIVING CELLS Biopôle’s main focus is on oncology, vibrant life science community. PAR NASRI G NAHAS* DESPITE ITS POSSIBLE. immunology, personalised medicine and Biopôle believes in embracing diff e- SMALL SIZE, SWITZERLAND IS A nutritional health. rences and cultivating synergies. CRADLE FOR INNOVATION, RANKED Industry and academia co-exist within AMONG THE THREE WORLD Soft factors are key the park, thereby ensuring active or years the use of microscopy in LEADERS IN SCIENCE ACCORDING Life science is the label for a vast sector knowledge sharing, appreciation of the biology has been limited by two TO THE OECD. and it is not always clear what it covers various projects being pursued and an obstacles: cells are very small and or what is key to success. Biopôle has a understanding of where opportunities they are transparent. With he Canton of Vaud, the fourth simple answer: bringing science to life. for synergy and collaboration exist. F conventional optics, observers largest of the 26 states that make  e basic nuts and bolts of a life World-class academic and research cannot see an object smaller than the up the Swiss Confederation, is science park are buildings, laboratories institutions are a draw for industry visible light. Using a beam of accelerated home to more than 37,000 com- and facilities management.  is is what anywhere in the world. Biopôle is espe- electrons, electron microscopes have T panies, including around 100 everybody expects, and what they are cially proud to be neighbours of, among overcome this diffi culty to reach very high multinationals that have established their off ered at Biopôle. It is an 80,000 sqm others, the Swiss Federal Institute of resolving power. But to do so, living com- Europe Middle East Africa headquarters park, providing more than 134,000 sqm Technology (EPFL), the University pounds such as cells must be chemically here. of offi ce and laboratory space – the Hospital of Canton Vaud (CHUV), the prepared, usually with reagents.  e largest in Switzerland devoted to life University of Lausanne Centre of process kills these cells, making high- At the heart of the health valley science. A further 9,000 sqm of new Immunology and the Ludwig Institute resolution observation of living cells close  e canton contains 25% of life science space is expected to be added in 2017, for Cancer Research. Academic partners to impossible. workers in Switzerland and its industry and double that fi gure in the following develop their innovations at Biopôle contributes signifi cantly to the country’s years. alongside major industry players, small A Spin-off of the EPFL economic development. Half of all Swiss It also hosts everyday amenities and medium enterprises and an incuba- However, during their PhD studies at the startups in the life sciences were born including a hotel, shops, café, medical tor dedicated to life sciences start-ups. Swiss Institute of Technology in Lausanne here. In 2015 Vaud ranked number one centre, bank and pharmacy, and further (EPFL), Yann Cotte and Fatih Toy have among the cantons for fundraising by added-value services include purcha- Enabling innovation developed a super elegant solution to this start-ups, with four of the top fi ve invest- sing, fi nance, legal, business develop- Our ambition is to nurture a leading challenge. It works exactly like an MRI ment totals raised by new life science ment, communications and executive vibrant life science community that scan in hospital but with cells and light. companies. coaching. As a result, every company can enables innovation, the holy grail of  e technology combines a laser beam At the centre of this “health valley” is focus on what it does best: developing industry and academia. that illuminate the sample and rotates the Biopôle life science park, located in innovative solutions for life science We do this by putting all the ingre- around it at 360˚ with a camera that takes Épalinges, to the north of Lausanne. It is challenges. dients of success together and off ering a diff erent perspective photographs of the considered a leading European hub for However, these hard facts miss a world-class combination of infrastruc- cell.  en a software system based on technology and innovation – home to critical ingredient: a community where ture, added value services, living space holographic algorithms recombines these industry leaders, research groups at the ideas cross boundaries, generations and and community engagement where our hundreds of photographs into a 3D cell cutting edge of their discipline, avant- disciplines in a collaborative spirit. Soft members thrive in an enjoyable, dynamic image that lets users colour the diff erent Yann Cotte, Andreas garde collaborative models and a signifi - factors are key – the way in which people and collaborative environment. parts of the observed cell to get a full Kern and Sebastien cant surge in life sciences initiatives in interact, get inspired by their environ- reconstruction.  e process works in Equis with the 3D Cell recent years. ment and generate cutting-edge ideas. * NASRI G NAHAS, seconds and the cells need no specifi c Explorer. Chief executive officer, Biopôle While open to all therapeutic areas, Biopôle’s ambition is to nurture such a PHOTO: DR PHOTO: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP,BRCK,DR preparation or manipulation.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 14 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 15

plains Campus Biotech’s director Benoît consciousness? How can we use robotics Dubuis. A fi fth platform with genomic and information communication techno- tools such as sequencers and computatio- logy to better answer these scientifi c nal capability supports e-health and questions and translate this knowledge CAMPUS BIOTECH: genomic research.  is broad array of into concrete applications for the benefi t technologies says important things about of medicine and society? the functioning of Campus Biotech. Since his medical studies, Professor First, as Dubuis stresses: “Beyond the Olaf Blanke has made his mission to BRAINS INSIDE researchers based here we have a very understand the brain mechanisms that open model. We welcome both academic enable consciousness. He heads the researchers and groups from private Laboratory of Cognitive Neurosciences BY FABRICE DELAYE CAMPUS BIOTECH’S FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGICAL corporations to use our platforms.” About (Bertarelli Chair in Cognitive PLATFORMS ATTRACT THE BEST SCIENTISTS TO THE CHALLENGE OF 40% of Campus Biotech users come to Neuroprosthetics) and directs the EPFL’s UNDERSTANDING, CURING AND PERHAPS ENHANCING THE HUMAN BRAIN. conduct specifi c experiments during a Center for Neuroprosthetics and its eight limited period of time, just as at CERN. laboratories which are currently moving  e other characteristic of Campus to Campus Biotech. “Our second mission here remain two last big frontiers number that will peak at close to 1,200. Biotech is its holistic approach to brain is translational,” Blanke explains. “We in science: space and the brain.”  e organisation functions under a research. Some groups, such as Professor develop cognitive neuroprostheses that So spoke Patrick Aebischer 15 foundation led by its founding partners Luc Stoppini’s Center of Competence for combine the design of new wearable years ago when he became and others including the University Micro and Bioengineering (CMIBIO) at technologies with our neuroscience T president of the Swiss Federal Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), the Swiss HEPIA are developing enabling technolo- research.  e aim is to create novel Institute of Technology in Lausanne Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB), the gies as labs on chips. At the same time strategies to better diagnose and restore (EPFL) and launched a breathtaking University of Applied Sciences Western David Sander at the Brain and Emotion cognitive functions in disease.” avalanche of initiatives that raised his Switzerland in Geneva (HEPIA) and the Laboratory of the University of Geneva is In neurosciences, Blanke’s team inves- campus to the top ranks of international newly created Wyss Center for Bio and using tools such as virtual reality and tigates the brain mechanisms of body universities. Neuroengineering. functional MRI (sometimes associated perception, self-awareness and Aebischer had a curious mind and with olfactory stimuli) to better unders- consciousness, combining psychophysical under his leadership EPFL increased its Open minds tand the neuronal bases of emotions. and cognitive paradigms with the whole support for a broad range of research and “Campus Biotech is mainly an enabler Because its founders believe innovation range of human neuroimaging techniques. disciplines. But as a neuroscientist himself with four technological platforms giving fl ourishes at the crossroads of disciplines, In its clinical research projects, his team of he was naturally biased. So when pharma access to top research tools such as virtual the more than 15 labs at the campus study neuroscientists, medical doctors, biolo- company Merck Serono decided in 2012 to reality for experimental neurosciences, the brain from genes to the expressions of gists, engineers, psychologists and com- close its headquarters in Geneva, he saw, EEG an MRI for human neurosciences, joy, fear or surprise.  ey aim to improve puter scientists explore the diagnostic and together with Serono former owner electronics for integrative systems and our fundamental understanding of the therapeutic impact of robotic and ICT Ernesto Bertarelli and Jean Dominique clean room for neuroengineering”, ex- brain - the pan-European Human Brain technology in two major conditions: Vassalli, dean of the University of Geneva, Project whose initiator, Professor Henry chronic pain and schizophrenia. an opportunity to build for neurosciences Markram (read his interview page x), has an equivalent to another science powe- his lab there. But they are also developing Silvestro Micera’s bionic hand rhouse in Geneva: CERN, the European better diagnostics, drugs and prosthetics Blanke’s research with ICT technology has Organisation for Nuclear Research. and may even enhance our cognitive already been key to the MindMaze spin- Building on solid Swiss and internatio- capacities such as learning. off (see page x) and its virtual reality- nal networks, identifying future star But beyond the technologies, institu- based rehabilitation technologies. His professors and seizing public and private tions and money are the researchers, the research to fi nd the neural bases of opportunities for research funding, a brains inside this hive of neurosciences consciousness is also one of the building consortium including the University of and the true strength of Campus Biotech, blocks of the Center for Neuroprosthetics Geneva, the EPFL, the Bertarelli family as can be seen in the following examples. (CMS). Supported by the Bertarelli and Swiss medtech billionaire and phi- Foundation, the Defi tech Foundation and lanthropist Hansjorg Wyss, gathered their Olaf Blanke’s multisensorial the International Foundation for energies to build Campus Biotech, offi - cognitive engine New generation EEG Paraplegia Research and Medtronic, the cially launched in May 2015. Occupying How does the human brain represent to study the brain at CNS is developing a new generation of 28,000 square metres, the futuristic HEPIA’s professor Luc Stoppini develops one’s own body? How does this bodily the Wyss Center. mobility, sensorial and cognitive

facility currently employs 750 people, a lab-on-chip for neurosciences researchers. representation impact cognition and PHOTO: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP,BRCK,DR prosthesis.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 16 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 17

For example, Professor Grégoire startup companies. On September 3, Courtine stunned the world when he Campus Biotech inaugurated another side demonstrated in 2012 how laboratory Claude Clément wants to spin-off new of its activity with a 4,500 square metre IN HENRY MARKRAM’S BRAIN rodents, paralysed after spinal cord inju- start-ups from breakthrough discoveries. tower for its Innovation Park. Various ries, were able to voluntarily walk again startup support institutions such as the would never manage to measure eve- BY FABRICE DELAYE NEUROSCIENTISTS AT CAMPUS BIOTECH HAVE thanks to a cocktail of drugs, electric at the Swiss operations of Medtronic, the incubator Eclosion and the co-working rything, my lab started to look for under- RECONSTRUCTED PART OF THE NEOCORTEX’S SENSORY SYSTEM WHICH stimuli and robotic prosthesis.  anks to world’s largest site for the assembly of space for entrepreneurs Geneus have lying laws. Such as how many synapses SIMULATES THE BIOLOGY OF THE BRAIN. IT IS A DECISIVE STEP IN THE €1 collaboration with Stephanie Lacour’s active implantable medical devices. already moved in as well as biotech com- form at the site of connection and how BILLION EUROPEAN HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronic Clement explains the Wyss Center’s panies such as Relief  erapeutics and they organize into networks. In parallel, Interfaces, his group has now designed objectives: “Hansjorg Wyss has trusted us Signals Analytics. If Clément is right many we referred to millions of scientifi c and produced soft neural implants with with the mission to make paralytics walk more will spin off from the CERN of the n 2008, Henry Markram, professor articles in the quest for other laws. In the shape and elasticity of dura mater, the again, the blind to see and the deaf to brain. of neurosciences at the Swiss Federal fact, we were on the constant lookout for protective membrane of the brain and hear.” He adds: “It is in the very nature of Institute of Technology in Lausanne laws and data. In the lab, after tens of spinal cord.  e hope now is that these the Wyss to collaborate. We are tackling (EPFL), announced the fi rst results thousands of experiments, we fi nally technologies will be successful in clinical diffi cult problems that generally need the I of a project aimed at building a generated a pool of core data. Today it is trials to restore walking in humans who involvement of multiple partners and CAN DAPHNE BAVELIER digital copy of the brain in a supercom- one of the largest databases on a particu- have been paralysed. institutions. We federate their human and puter. He revealed a detailed digital lar part of the brain: a tissue which is As head of the Translational Neural technical means and solve aspects such as ENHANCE LEARNING? simulation of a rat’s cortical column – a about 0.3 cubic millimetres in size, and is Engineering Laboratory, Professor intellectual property sharing and regula- GAMING If an understanding of the brain is group of 10,000 neurons that form a fi eld the centre for the sense of touch in the Silvestro Micera is also developing im- tion. Our approach is translational. We needed to better diagnose and cure of sensory reception. Seven years later, rat. plantable neural interfaces and robotic take the brilliant ideas that arise in acade- numerous pathologies, it has other the cover of the journal Cell showed the systems to restore sensorimotor functions mia and transfer them to clinical trials on consequences: what if we could improve it? Blue Brain project’s sequel: a digital And you’ll be using these laws and data in people with diff erent kinds of disability. humans. And we don’t stop at proofs of Professor Daphne Bavelier, head of the reconstruction of the centre of the rat’s to help you design computer models? In particular, his lab is working on the concept or prototypes. We support the Cognitive Laboratory of the University of sense of touch. A 36-page report fol- Over the past ten years we’ve been set on development of a novel bionic hand product up to market approval.” Geneva, is exploring various technologies for lowed, co-authored by 83 researchers building a digital version of this tissue, controlled by the peripheral nervous For example, Professor John Donoghue, such a purpose. from 18 laboratories and 13 institutions. which belongs to the neocortical column. system. director of the Wyss centre (see page x), is In 2014 her team published a study that  is led to the €1 billion European We have demonstrated that it is possible Because of the complexity of the ner- developing second generation brain-com- demonstrated for the first time that people Union Human Brain Project, focused on to reconstruct, in detail, a digital version vous system, this research benefi ts from puter interfaces with an implantable who played action games like “Call of Duty” developing a digital simulation of the of part of the brain. Of course it is pos- the expertise of the CNS. Miceras’ team is neurocommunicator that can read brain showed greater capacity to learn than those brain’s biology. In an exclusive interview sible to achieve a higher resolution using working with collaborators at the Blanke signals of people with paralysis and who played non-action games. “We showed at his laboratory at Campus Biotech in the same approaches we developed. For lab to understand how the brain will transmit them wirelessly in order to action gamers excel because they are better Geneva, Markram tells us about the most the time being we’re at the level of the represent a prostheses of which feedback control a robotic arm or even the patient’s learners,” explains Bavelier. “That is because recent results of his research into the role Professor Henry Markram wants to digitally cell, but we have started to zoom down to from artifi cial sensors as well as natural own arm. A second project, led by our brain keeps predicting what will come of the brain and its incredible universe of reconstruct the entire circuitry of the brain. the molecular level. We have also started sight must be integrated if the patient is to Professor Diego Ghezzi in collaboration next. To predict better, the brain constructs 100 billion neurons and a million billion to build models on a larger scale, cove- recover real agility. His group is working with Professor Micera, aims to develop a templates of the world. The better the synapses. nable to try to. You cannot measure all ring not only a microcircuit but brain with the Laboratory for Soft Bioelectronics bionic implant that will bypass damaged templates, the better the performance. And the biological phenomena going on in the regions and also the whole mouse brain. Interfaces to shape traditionally rigid optical cells and restore lost vision by playing action fosters better template In light of the controversy that has brain, and it’s not scientifi cally necessary  at said, what we have designed is electronic circuits into conformable, directly stimulating the optic nerve. Based construction.” surrounded the Human Brain Project in to make such an attempt because there already 100,000 times bigger than the skin-like formats for better on discoveries by Professor Anne-Lise With a dozen colleagues at Campus Biotech, 2015, can you describe the context in are hidden forms of an underlying orga- biggest reconstruction ever done using biocompatibility. Giraud of the University of Geneva that Bavelier has established collaborations with which you carried out the research nization that help predict most of the data electron microscopy. And we are cur- oscillations in the brains of people with Olaf Blanke and Silvestro Micera to improve you’ve published recently? – the brain is not a random system. Just as rently building virtual tissues a million From labs to market dyslexia are not at the correct frequency or virtual reality and with Sophie Schwartz’s It was in the context of the Blue Brain in physics, there is a given order, or laws times bigger. with Claude Clément in the correct location, a third project is Sleep and Cognition Neuroimaging Labora- project, although some of the funding to – if you want to reconstruct a model of a  is kind of creative interaction is exactly using transcranial alternating current tory, neural bases of language experts enable us to make the data and the tools diamond, for instance, you don’t need to Is it really possible to reconstruct the what Claude Clément is after. Head of stimulation to reorganise brain rhythms so Anne-Lise Giraud and Narly Golestani as well we’ve developed public through a dedi- measure each carbon atom in it – just an brain without having all the biological technology at the Wyss Center for Bio and that signals are properly processed. as the group of computational neuroimaging cated website came from the Human extreme example. data? Neuroengineering, Clément comes from Being not only a medtech executive but led by Dimitri Van de Ville. Her research Brain Project. It was basically the result of Yes. Within a microcircuit there are industry where he spent 23 years in the also a serial entrepreneur, the path to the focuses on characterising the factors that 20 years of research. When I started, I What exactly are these laws? 31,000 neurons that form 37 million fi eld of active implantable medical de- market Clément envisions for such inno- may contribute to greater plasticity of the wanted to map the brain on an experi- In the fi rst ten years of our research we synapses. But we have estimated that vices, as director of manufacturing engi- vation, and much more now under deve- brain and wider transfer of learning. mental basis. I began to realize that you only carried out biological experiments. there are also 140 million synapses that PHOTO: DR neering at Intermedics and plant manager lopment, will likely be through new PHOTO: DR can’t, and what’s more, it’s not reaso- Realizing gradually, however, that we come from the rest of the brain. It’s

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 18 FEATURES | MEDTECH

possible to carry out a digital reconstruc- check results that were part of many of tion – which is biologically precise – of our studies in the past.  ere are subtle one part of the brain. It’s just a small diff erences but the synaptic connectivity region, but it is a proof of concept. And it is precise. shows that precision in reconstructing But a biological microcircuit is not an parts of the brain is feasible, even when electronic circuit. Connectivity is not the you have a limited amount of experimen- only issue. tal data at your disposal.  e next step was to perform an elec- trophysiological reconstruction. A neuron Does this mean that you have has not only a shape but also an electric discovered new neurons? “personality”. After 3,900 experiments, Let me take a tangent. A hundred years we were able to profi le these personali- ago, Santiago Cajal, father of the neuros- ties and classify them into eleven ar- ciences, discovered almost all of them, chetypes. A neuron can react fast, or and even drew them. Cajal tried to un- derstand how the brain worked by drawing it. He drew arrows where he “We write equations to imagined the fl ow of information lay between the neurons, without knowing express what flows from the role of synapses – it was an analog approach. In a way, we’re just completing one neuron to another.” his vision, but using a digital approach.  is allows us to understand all the neurons and their variations. slowly, or use a sort of Morse code, and so on. When we combined these characte- With a computer as opposed ristics with those of a neuron’s anatomy to a pencil… we counted 207 diff erent cell types.  is Instead of using arrows, We start with a led to an even greater understanding of 0.3 cubic millimetre circuit crossed by the recipe itself – why one type of neuron half a kilometer of fi bres. In this tissue, is here while another is there. If you have the fi bres meet at 600 million diff erent this type here, then you need that type points.  is indicates where the synapses there. And so on. Our virtual tissue has could be ideally situated so that the now reached a level of reliability where neurons can communicate with one we can reproduce the in vivo experimen- another. We know by experience that you tal results without adjusting any of the can’t have so many synapses because parameters to obtain a result.  at was there wouldn’t be enough energy to never possible before with other models support them all. So we developed an of the brain. Scientists had to tweak all algorithm that compares these points and the parameters to get the model to behave when we are asleep or during an epileptic then applies fi ve biological rules to like the brain. We subsequently also fi t, for instance, while they show a low eliminate those where synapses couldn’t made new discoveries about how the level in a fully awake state.  ere is a exist. In this way, we reached a count of brain works. hidden mechanism that aff ects calcium 37 million synapses whose positions we level and synaptic activity: when the can predict. I suppose you could see this Which exactly? calcium level is high, synaptic activity is as a sort of recipe. We know it’s not We already knew that calcium is vital for synchronous; when it is low, it is asyn- perfect but it is the closest estimate of the the brain and we had carried out experi- chronous. Other mechanisms are also biology available today. ments on calcium levels in synapses. We involved but, fundamentally, what this gathered all the data on this subject and implies is that the brain operates on a How can you be so sure? observed that synapses transmit infor- wide spectrum of activities, not only one. We took some experimental data to mation in diff erent ways depending on We found how each type of neuron, challenge our model, and the correlation the level of calcium. synapse and layer of the neocortex can was fantastic. We were able to cross- Synapses show a high level of calcium slide the state from one side of the spec-

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN MEDTECH | FEATURES 19

phenomenon in fi ve models from dif- strategies to solve the problem. Many ferent rats. scientists have already started to use the tools and study the data, which has been And does this change our made available through the Brain understanding of the brain? Simulation Platform of the Human Brain It helps us to reinterpret quite a few Project. It is the most used platform in the things that have been scientifi cally H B P. debated for many years. We have obser- ved that to see some of the phenomena Can you give an example? that have been found in the brain, that Yes. We asked a question that was not you must fi rst shift the brain into the possible before. A camera has pixels, and right state. Let’s take an illustration: in the spatial resolution of a camera is one state x, you’re not able to resolve a ma- pixel. What is the spatial resolution, or thematical equation, but if you shift to pixel size of the brain? One neuron? It’s a state y you can. In other words: I can’t go very diffi cult question to answer if all you to sleep if my state is prepared to play have depends on animal testing. So we tennis. For everything we do, we fi rst recreated the input from the thalamus, a have to prepare our brain to be in the region of the brain. We observed that the right state. When we say we can’t do spatial resolution only occurs when the something, perhaps our brain is simply level of calcium is correct. And that the not in a state capable of doing that parti- spatial resolution of the brain is at least 25 cular something. But it could, if it we can cubic micrometres. Each neuron has a shift it to the right state. If we understood diff erent spatial resolution – some below this phenomenon better, we would 25 cubic micrometers others more than probably be able to bypass certain 150 cubic micrometers. We are conti- limitations. nuing our studies because we believe that the resolution is fi ner if we ask what the How do you think the neuroscientific spatial resolution of a single synapse is. community will make use of your We are trying to understand how the model? brain puts these diff erent signals together  ey’ll begin by challenging it, which is a to form an image. Markram started healthy reaction and will help to improve to build models it. But we can already use it to verify What’s next for Blue Brain? covering not only certain theories. For example, there is a We’ll be moving to a higher scale and a microcircuit but theory that suggests that epileptic fi ts are building a part of the brain that is seven brain regions. caused by certain neurons whose sy- times bigger than what we’ve already napses are too strong. With our model, done. If we want to simulate the neocor- you can double the strength of a synapse tex, we’re going to have to consider trum to the other. Each state allows the diff erent data and laws, in particular with circuit to perform a specifi c operation regard to connectivity. In microcircuits, and if you are not in the right state, you “A neuron has not only laws all have to do with how neurons can not perform the operation. In a given connect locally. In a brain region it is state, you’ll either succeed in certain a shape but also an about how microcircuits connect toge- activities – like sending back a tennis ball ther. For the whole brain it is about how – or you won’t. But the most exciting part electric personality.” brain regions connect together. With is that there is a sharp cliff in the middle these three sets of laws one can connect of the spectrum where the activity most of the neurons in the brain. We have between neurons can become explosive, and see what happens. If your hypothesis completed the fi rst draft for one region of causing an avalanche of electrical activi- is correct, there’ll be a seizure. You can the brain – and even for the whole brain. ty.  e brain can perform many very carry out an experiment under any given But it will probably take few more years precise operations only if it is very close conditions, reproduce it in a model and before we publish anything because there

PHOTO: DR to this dangerous clif. We’ve verifi ed this then begin to imagine a whole load of is still so much to verify.

AUTUMN 2016 20 FEATURES 21 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z RESEARCH INSTITUTES CANTON OF JURA 3volutec SA Composites Busch SA MAPE Pharmaceutical and Industrial Engineering SA 101. Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) 121. ISREC Foundation for Cancer Research 1 ABC Orthodontics SA Crealine SA Medacta International SA Abioniv Sàrl Creapole SA Métafil-Lagirolle SA 102. Agroscope Changins 122. Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) ABL Analytics SA Décovi SA Nanologica Pure Sàrl Akabe Sàrl Deloa SA Pen-fix Sàrl 103. Agroscope Changins Wädenswil - Centre des Fougères 123. Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (LICR) CANTON OF VAUD IES Aximed SA Detech SA Phyt-Inov SA 104. ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering 124. Mediplant AB2 Bio SA Fondation Inartis Piguet Frères & Cie SA TIT Axis biodental SA e-sana SA Pibor Iso SA Abionic SA Fondation Institut suisse des vitamines Preclin Biosystems AG N 107 / B.C. Development SA Groupe Genitec Holdind SA Pure by Switzerland SA E 105. Bern University Hospital (Inselspital) 125. Nestec SA Centre de recherche Nestlé ABMI SA Fondation ISREC Predige SA 7 132 Baccinex SA Inomed Technology SA Recomatic SA 2 F Bern University of Applied Sciences Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences Abrema Fondation Leenaards Pristem SA 5 O Bausch Advanced Technology Group InterMedService Sàrl Sanitex SA 106. 126. AC Immune SA Fondation pour le dépistage du cancer Produits Dentaires SA R 256 Berdat Charles JAG Jakob AG Sankom SA Actigenomics SA Gait Up SA Proxilab Analyses Médicales SA B Bien-Air Dental SA Jinfo SA SpacePharma SA 107. Cabi Bioscience Swiss Center 127. Ophthalmology Research Institute (IRO) Actimed SA Galderma Pharma SA Pryv SA N Bien-Air Surgery SA Juratec SA Spagyros SA 108. Campus Biotech (Geneva) 128. Swiss Centre for Electronics and Microtechnology ACTIVEN SA Gene Predictis SA QGel SA 211 Biotech SA Labiocos SA Swissatec Sàrl ADC Therapeutics SA Gene Signal International SA Qloudlab SA Bio-Ur SA Laboratoire Dr. Bregnard SA TechnoCut SA 109. CERN (CSEM) Adipogen SA Genes SA Qualimetro SA BM Laser, Broquet et Monin Laser-Jura Sàrl Tenax SA 129. Swiss Institute of BioInformatics (SIB) Aïmago SA 3 Genohm SA Quotient Suisse SA CABI Europe - Switzerland Lemur-Scouting Sàrl Willemin-Macodel SA 110. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) T Akka Switzerland SA GenomSys SA Qwane Bioscience SA Clinical Laboratory Automation SA Locatis SA Witech Bassecourt SA 130. Swiss Vitamin Institute Alcimed Sàrl Gersteltec Sàrl R-Action Distribution Sàrl N Louis Bélet SA X.nov Medical Technology SA 111. EPFL Fribourg - The smart living lab Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA GGBa - GREATER GENEVA BERNE area RB Patents Sàrl O Manufactures d’outils Dumont SA 131. University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) JURA [ JU ] M 112. EPFL Neuchâtel Alpine Institute for Drug Discovery SA Gliapharm SA Regen Lab SA É 132. University of Applied Sciences HE ARC (BE-JU-NE) Altran GMP SA Reuteler & Cie SA EL 113. EPFL Valais Wallis Alys Technologies SA G-Therapeutics SA Rheon Medical SA D 133. University of Bern (UNIBE) Amazentis SA4 gyMetrcis SA Romédic SA 114. Haute école du paysage, d’ingénierie et d’architecture de Andre Roland SA Haemonetics SA Rosin Entreprise Sàrl Genève (HEPIA) 134. University of Engineering and Management of Vaud Anecova SA Harald Nordin SA Ruetschi Technology AG (HEIG-VD) Anergis SA HEIG-VD Sandozmedica Ltd 115. HBP Human Brain Project Anokion SA Heraeus Materials SA Saphetor SA 135. University of Fribourg (UNIFR) Antlia SA Hologic Europe Middle East and Africa SA SATYAtek SA CANTON OF NEUCHÂTEL Swissvacuum Technologies SA 116. HES-SO Fribourg Argenius Sàrl Hôpital Orthopédique de la Suisse romande SBG - Healthcare Strategic Marketing & Alpes Lasers SA G-Ray Medical SA NanoWorld Technologies Sàrl Systems Assembling SA 136. University of Geneva (UNIGE) Telemis SA 117. HES-SO Genève Argon Medical5 Devices SA Hôpital Jules Gonin Communication ADMO PLASTIQUE SA HE Arc (JU, BE, NE) Neocoat SA Ariad Pharmaceuticals SA Hospiveda Sàrl Schneiter Intellectual Property AM Automation SàRL HL Technology SA Neode Parc scientifique et The Biotech Quality Group SA 118. HES-SO Valais-Wallis 137. University of Lausanne (UNIL) Arkimed SA HumanVet Sàrl ScienceVisuals Sàrl Amires Sàrl Inovorto Medical SA technologique SA Tissot Medical Research SA Arnold Deppeler SA Hygie-Tech SA Scitec Research SA Analytecon SA Intercosmetica Neuchâtel SA Neuchâtel SA Triflo Medical Switzerland Sàrl 138. University of Neuchâtel (UNINE) Trimastek Sàrl 119. Hôpital Jules Gonin Artefact SA I-Dent Innovation For Dentistry SA Second Sight Medical Products Sàrl Baldelli SA Jet Medical SA Obtech Medical Sàrl Baxalta BioScience Manufacturing Sàrl Johnson & Johnson AG One Drop Diagnostic Sàrl UNINE 139. Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering Asceneuron SA IHMA Europe Sàrl SensArs Neuroprosthetics Sàrl ZTC Technology SA 120. Idiap Research Institute Aspivix SA ILS Services Schweiz SA Sensimed SA Baxalta Recombinant Sàrl Juvaplus SA Oscimed SA Assut Medical Sàrl Inartis Network Sérolab SA BioCell Interface SA Komax Systems LCF SA P&TS SA Aston Life Sciences6 Sàrl Include Sàrl Siemens Suisse SA Celgene International Sàrl Kyburz & Cie SA Petitpierre SA Laboratoire Gibro SA PFL Antralux SA Atracsys Sàrl Incyte Biosciences International Sàrl Signal Processing SA Centredoc Ceramaret SA Laboratoire Meiners Sàrl PFM Medical CPP SA Attolight Sàrl Innobridge Services Sàrl Smartcanula Sàrl Coat-X SA Laser-Automation Gekatronic SA PharmaSys Sàrl Avance Medical Sàrl Innovative Solutions SmartCardia SA 243 Codman Neuro Sciences Sàrl Laserix Sàrl Placor SA Ayanda Biosystems SA Innovaud SmartGene Services Sàrl Comelec SA Lauener + Cie SA Polar Electro Europe B.V. B Braun Medical SA Instrumat AG SMI - Swiss Medtech Industry SA CSEM - Centre Suisse d’Electronique Madep SA PulmonX International Sàrl [JU] Beckman Coulter Eurocenter SA Intento SA Socar Research SA et de Microtechnique SA Masimo International Sàrl PX Dental SA INNOVATION SUPPORTS Delémont Berney Précision7 SA Interdigit SA Socorex Isba SA 24 Dassym SA Medico-Technique CRM SA Quantum Pharmaceuticals SA BioBooster Intrace Medical SA Sompharmaceuticals SA DePuy Motion Sàrl 242 Mediliant SA SAV-IOL SA Biocartis SA Intuitive Surgical Sàrl Sophia Genetics SA NEUCHÂTEL [ NE ] Ethical Skin Care Zilooa Medos International Sàrl Service de l’économie de Neuchâtel, Office 201. AIGSV 218. Foundation for Technological 237. Swiss Biotech Center Bioinnovation Solutions SA Invacare International Sàrl Spinomix SA Ethicon Sàrl Medtronic Biopharma Sàrl de promotion économique [NE] Biokema SA Ixxeo Healthcare SA Startech Consulting Fabrinal SA Medtronic Kyphon Sàrl Seyonic SA 202. Alliance Innovation (FIT) 238. Swiss Digital Health Neuchâtel [BE] Biomapas SàRL KB Medical SA Stemedica International SA FKG Dentaire SA Melet Schloesing Pharmaceuticals SA SGX Sensortech SA Bern 112 / 128 / 219. FriUp Bionactis International Group (BIG) SA Kessler SA Sterilux SA 132 / 138 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA Microcity EPFL SiMPLI (Silvia Angeloni) 203. be-advanced 239. Swiss Federal Institute of [FR] GMT Fine Chemicals SA Microsens SA Sintetica-Bioren SA Fribourg BioPack Medical Sàrl La Manufacture Stericenter SA S Mikron SA Boudry Sirad SA 220. GENILEM Intellectual Property Biophos SA 8 Labodia SA Stratarium Sàrl TIE 204. BioAlps TI 229 Mycotec SA Stryker Spine SA Biopole SA Laboratoire de Biogénèse appliquée Stryker Osteonics SA 6 N NanoWorld AG SUSS MicroOptics SA 221. Inartis 240. Swiss Integrative Center for [VD] Biosafe SA Laboratoire Pauline Burgener Switzerland SA Suisselle SA E 205. BioArk Monthey Lausanne F Human Health (SICHH) Biosensors Europe SA Laborial (Suisse) SA SUN Bioscience SA 8 244 / 253 222. Innovation Lab Fribourg O 206. BioArk Visp Biotelligences Sàrl Labseed SàRL Sunstar Suisse SA R 223. Innovaud 241. Switzerland Global Enterprise Bista Consulting Sàrl Lacpure SA Supply Chain Operations SA B 207. BioBooster Lausanne [GE] [VS] bNovate Technologies SA Lambda Health System SA Swiss Institute of BioInformatics (SIB) N Geneva 224. Lausanne Region Sion Bordier Affinity9 Products SA Lausanne Région Swiss Malaria Foundation 208. Biopôle 242. Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/ Brain Genetics SA Legacy HealthCare SA SwissDecode Sàrl 225. Le Vivier Hi-Tech Park Bienne Bredam SA Leman Cardiovascular SA SwissInnov Product Sàrl 209. Campus Biotech Innovation Park Bridgehead International Ltd BERN (CBIP) Marly Innovation Center (MIC) Leman Consulting SA [ BE ] 226. SwissLens SA L 243. Technology Park of Saint-Imier BVB consulting Leman Micro Devices SA SWISSMEDBANK SA E Cardinal Health Switzerland Sàrl Lemo SA Swiss-Medical-Consultants Sàrl T CANTON OF BERN 210. Comission for Technology and 227. MassChallenge Switzerland 244. Technology transfer office of the 105 CareFusion Switzerland 317 Sàrl Liris Tech SA Swisssurgical Sàrl  Innovation CTI 15 / 38 Accuratus AG Häni & Co. AG, Arch Nufer Medical AG 228. Medical Cluster University of Neuchâtel (TTO Carestream Health Suisse SA Loroch CTLS SYLEX Sàrl H S 104 / 106 / Aerni-Leuch AG Harting AG Ortho-Team AG UniNE) CHUV 10 Lucentix SA Symbion Medical Systems Sàrl C TIE 211. Creapole U TI 132 / 133 Amotec Technique de montage SA Haslab GmbH Osterwalder AG 229. Neode Claude Ammann Consulting Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Symbios Orthopédie SA E 8 PROUD MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH VALLEY N N Amsonic SA Helbling Technik Bern AG PaxVax Berna GmbH 212. EPFL Innovation Park (EIP) 245. Techtransfer Fribourg Clinique Cecil Hirslanden Lunaphore Technologies SA Symetis SA 4 E 230. OMPI F Anton Meyer & Co AG Henry Schein Medical AG Pharma Consulting Marion Senn GmbH Clinique de Genolier Lyncee Tec SA Sysmex Suisse SA 228 1 O AZAD Pharma AG Hilfsmittelstelle HMS Bern AG Pharmatic AG 213. Espace Création 246. Unitec Clinique de la Source Manuplast SA TalisLife SA R 203 / 210 / 231. OPI 214 / 239 / Azuréa Technologies Bévilard SA HMT Microelectronic AG Phytomed AG Clinopsis SA Marcel Blanc et Cie SA TC Metrix Sàrl B 214. Euresearch 247. UniverCité 254 Balluff Hytech AG Hock’n Roll AG Polydec SA 232. PACTT 1 20 39 Clinovo SA Marcel Jaccard SA Techma Consult Sàrl 12 N Bangerter Microtechnik AG Hoffmann Neopac AG Precipart SA Confrérie Clinique SA MaxiMed Sàrl Techno-Lens SA 215. Fondation Eclosion 248. VentureKick 11 Bernafon AG Idexx Switzerland AG ReseaChem GmbH 233. Phytoark Sion-Conthey CoPexis SA MD-Clinicals SA Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL Biosmart GmbH Inselspital Universitätsspital Bern Riotex AG 249. VentureLab Coraflo Sàrl Med Discovery SA UNIL 216. Fondation The Ark Boiron Insys Industriesysteme AG Roewasys AG 234. Platinn CPMA SA MedC. Partners Sàrl Unilabs Botta & Fils Interlabor Belp AG Rofin Lasag AG 217. Fongit 250. World Health Organization (WHO) Crisalix SA Medeco-ch Sàrl Unimed SA 235. Republic of Innovation 2 21 40 BPR Swiss GmbH Intersteri AG Rüfenacht AG Cukierman & Co. Life Sciences Medelec SA UniverCité 251. Y-Parc Brook Automation AG Ionight AG S&S Sàrl DBS System Sàrl Medexpansion Sàrl Valtronic Technologies SA N 236. SRI EPFL / Innogrants BT Bienne Special Tools Sàrl ISS AG - Integrated Scientific Services Safrima AG Debiopharm Intl. SA MedicMicro SA Vaud Biomed Partnering Association 16 / 36 / 40 R CANTONAL SUPPORTS Büchi Optik AG Ivers-Lee AG Saphirwerk AG Debiopharm Investment12 SA Medinel Sàrl Vaxeal Holding SA E B BV Holding AG Jacques Allemann SA Schaerer Medical AG Debiopharm SA Medinorma Sàrl Venner Medical (Suisse) SA Calcisco AG JAG Jakob AG Schlafli Engineering AG 252. Business Valais 255. Promotion économique du canton 257. Service de la promotion 3 22 41 Debiotech SA Medlight SA Venturelab Carbagas AG Kessler SA SDI Surgical Device International Sàrl Deerfield Institute for Healthcare Research Sàrl Medtronic Europe Sàrl VeoSource SA de Fribourg économique de Genève CAScination AG KTI/ CTI Semadeni AG 253. Office de promotion économique Degonda-Rehab SA Memedge Consulting Sàrl Vi Partners AG CELLnTEC Advanced Cell Systems AG Kuhn und Bieri AG Sensogram Technologies AG Dentsply IH SA Mensys Group SA Vinci Capital SA du canton de Neuchâtel (OPEN) 256. Promotion économique du canton 258. Service de la promotion Codan Argus AG Lamineries Mattey SA Smile Line SA DermoSafe SA Merck Serono SA Vivactis (Suisse) SA du Jura économique et du commerce Contelec AG Lasermed SA SMR Engineering & Development SA 254. Promotion économique du canton DFB Pharmaceuticals13 Inc. Microscan Service SA Voisin Consulting Sàrl 46 4 23 42 Creaholic SA Lastec AG Société industrielle de Sonceboz SA de Berne (PE BE) (SPECo) du canton de Vaud Distal Motion SA MicroVu Swiss Sàrl VWR International AG FRIBOURG [ FR ] Createch AG Laubscher Präzision AG Staar Surgical AG DJO Global Switzerland Sàrl Mindmaze SA WellCare Technologies Sàrl 134 Crucell Switzerland AG Leitner SA Stiftung Competence Center for Medical DM2TC Sàrl Mosimann Developpement World Medical Device Organization ES CSL Behring SA Link Implants AG Technology (CCMT) Dompé International SA Motilis Medica SA Xigen SA 251 TI TI Degonda-Rehab SA Mandatec AG Stiftung für Technologische Innovation Dorphan SA Mymetics SA Xitact SA N CANTON OF FRIBOURG E Diacosa AG Manigley SA Stoppani AG 5 24 43 Dräger Medical Suisse SA MyoPowers Medical Technologies SA Y-Parc SA 6 F Adolf Merkle Institute L-Techs SA Digmesa AG Mapag Maschinen AG Straumann Villeret SA Dynatec SA Namiki Precision of Europe SA Yttermed SA O 14 5 Aginko Research AG M3AT SA Dorix SA Max Jung AG Sunrise Medical AG Ecole d’Ingénieurs de Changins Nano Bridging Molecules SA Zestagen SA R INVESTORS Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd Mecaplast SA Dr E Gräub AG MCL Medizinische Laboratorien AG SIE AG Surgical Instrument Engineering Ecosafe SA Nanolive SA B Almedica AG Medistri SA Egatec SA MCS Labordatensysteme AG Temmentec AG Edel-for-Life SA Naturalps Sàrl N Applimed SA Milupa SA (Danone) Electro Müller AG Mecha Ch Rohr AG Tornos SA Edwards Lifesciences SA Neo Medical SA 301. 4FO Venture Partners 311. Endeavour Vision 320. Medicxi Ventures 25 44 Biences Swiss Cosmetics SA MMEX Sàrl Estoppey-Addor SA Medical Cluster Trabold & Co AG 6 Elanix Technologies SA Nestec SA BioFactory Competence Center SA NBB Biotech GmbH Estoppey-Reber AG Medical Device Solutions AG UNIBE Electro Medical Systems SA Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA 302. A3 Angels 312. EOC Partners 321. NeoMed Biolabo Scientific Instruments SA Nutricia SA Etameca SA Medics Labor AG VeinPress GmbH Electromag SA Nestlé SA 101 / 111 / Bumotec SA NUTRIMEDIS SA Fasmed Meditec Consulting GmbH Vuilleumier Technology SA 303. BlackRock Asset Management 313. Euro-Private Equity S.A. 322. Odlander Fredrikson SA Embion Technologies15 SA NetUnion Sàrl 116 / 135 G Comet AG Pall International Sàrl Fischer Söhne AG Meister + Cie AG Vygon Suisse Sàrl Emotion Food Company Sàrl NeuroAssets sàrl R / HealthCap VAUD [ VD ] Covestro International SA Petz Industries AG FME AG Meridian AG Walgreens Boots Alliance Development 304. Blue Ocean Ventures 314. FIPA (Fonds Inartis de pré- 7 26 45 encreTpixel Nitto Denko Europe Technical Centre Sàrl U CPAutomation SA Phonak Communication AG 119 / 122 Fors AG Meyer Sintermetall AG GmbH amorçage) 323. Pictet Alternative Advisors SA Engqvist Consulting Novartis Consumer Health SA 225 226 O 305. Capital Risque Fribourg SA Debiopharm Diagnostics SA Phytopharma SA Forteq Nidau AG MH LOG Martin Hochuli Ypsomed AG EP Solutions SA Novassay SA B 110 / 121 / 123 / 125 / S I Dehly SA Plaspaq SA Fritz Gyger AG Micro Precision Systems AG Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG 315. Fondation d’impulsion 324. Polytech Ventures EPFL Novigenix SA 126 / 129 / 130 / 137 IE 219 / 222 / 234 / R Diamed GmbH/Bio-Rad Laboratories AG PreenTec AG 306. Capital Transmission SA IT 51 240 / 245 / 255 F Galenica AG Mikron Holding AG Zimmer Schweiz GmbH EPFL Innovation Park Nr1club 0 T économique et technologique Swisscom Ventures N Dynamipharm Sàrl RegenHU SA Galexis AG Monnier & Zahner AG Centre de Cautionnement et de 325. Eqval SA Odysis SA 2 E 307. (FITEC) 8 27 46 16 208 / 212 / F Frimorfo SA Ruetschi Technology AG Genge & Thoma AG MPS Precimed SA Exabone Gmbh Omega Statistical Consulting 247 Future Health Biobank SA Sedia Medizintechnik AG Financement - Valais (CCF SA) 326. Valley Road Capital 3 O 2 / 5 / 9 / 13 / 17 / GlaxoSmithKline AG Multiple Dimensions AG 316. Fonds de soutien à l’innovation du ExCellness Biotech SA ONCommit Sàrl 202 / 204 / 207 / 218 / 221 / R GeniuSoft Sàrl SICHH - Swiss Integrative Center for 223 / 224 / 227 / 232 / 235 / Gribi AG NetModule AG 308. Club Valaisan des Business 327. VI Partners EY Ortho.Kern SA B 18 / 23 / 27 / 28 / canton de Fribourg 236 / 241 / 248 / 249 / 258 Hanco Schleiftechnik AG Human Health SA Gsell Medical Plastics AG NEUROLITE AG Ferring International Center SA Orthoglobal Sàrl N 30 / 31 / 41 Angels Heska SA Steiger Galvanotechnique SA Haag-Streit Holding AG Novo Business Consultants AG 328. Vinci Capital Fischer Connectors SA Outsourcing development Switzerland 317. Ginko Ventures HES-SO FR Swissderm AG Novoglas AG 309. Debiopharm Investment SA 9 28 47 FisrtMed SA Pact & Partners International IIMG SA - Instruments, Industrial & Medical Tagator SA 318. iForE 329. Waypoint Capital Fondation EssentialMed PB&B SA Group TerionSuisse Sàrl 310. Eclosion 2 SA Fondation IM4TB17 PhenoSystems SA InnoMedica Holding AG UCB Farchim SA 319. Index Ventures Picodrill SA E Interdelta SA UNIFR N Ipstudies Sàrl Vifor Pharma N JetSolutions SA (ILC Dover) VIVOS-Dental AG 10 29 48 A S LPS Services SA Wibemo SA 3 / 6 / 19 / 42 / U LA 18 44 / 45 / 47 / 52 / 53 / 56 11 30 49 34 INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS

22 401. AC Immune 425. Electro Medical Systems 451. PaxVax 37 402. Accuray International 426. Eli Lilly (Suisse) 452. RegenLab 12 31 50 19 403. Alcon Pharmaceuticals 427. Ferring 453. Santen Switzerland

131 404. Altran 428. Firmenich 454. SGS 37 108 / 109 / 114 / 115 / 117 / 129 / CANTON OF GENEVA 405. B Braun Medical 429. FKG Dentaire 455. Siegfried (Evionnaz) 13 32 51 136 / 139 4cGroup Fondation Genevoise pour l’Innovation Novagraaf International SA 406. Baccinex 430. Galenica 456. Sintetica-Bioren 20 43 ABMI SWITZERLAND SARL Technologique FONGIT NovImmune SA 209 / 215 / 217 Acrostak International Distribution Sàrl Fondation H. Dudley Wright Numelec SA 407. Bachem 431. Givaudan 457. Socorex Isba 201 / 204 / 220 / Addex Pharma SA Fondation Jeantet NV Log SA 408. Baxalta Manufacturing (Shire) 432. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals 458. Sophia Genetics 230 / 231 / 246 / Administrative Management Concept Sàrl Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics ObsEva SA 14 33 52 250 / 257 102 AIGSV, Association industrielle genevoise des (FIND) OmniScience SA 50 409. Beckman Coulter Eurocenter 433. GSK 459. Straumann Villeret Sciences de la vie Future Health Cell Bank SA Orphée SA Akenco Pharma SA GAVI Alliance P Niklaus SA 410. Becton, Dickinson and Company 434. Haag-Streit 460. Stryker Spine Alchimie Forever Sàrl GeneBio - Geneva Bioinformatics SA PGT Healthcare 7 21 Alcon Management SA GeNeuro SA Pharmadev SA 205 411. Bien-Air Dental 435. Haemonetics 461. Symbios 15 34 53 GENEVA [ GE ] Amal Therapeutics SA Geneva Biotech Center SA Phasis Sàrl VALAIS [ VS ] 55 412. Bien-Air Surgery 436. Helbling Technik Bern 462. Symetis Andrew Alliance SA Geneva Health Forum PHT Corporation Sàrl Andromis SA Genevensis Sàrl Prexton Therapeutics SA 237 33 413. Bio-Rad Laboratories 437. Heraeus Materials 463. Syngenta Crop Protection Monthey Antion BioSciences SA GenKyoTex SA Primequal SA CANTON OF VALAIS Apidel SA Genomic Health International Sàrl Protec Medical Sàrl 414. Bracco Suisse 438. Incyte 464. TRB Chemedica S Aptissen SA GF Machining Solutions SA Qualimatest SA IES A3P 206 Lugaia AG ITIE IT 16 35 54 22 6 T 11 / 14 / 21 / 25 / 26 / ArisGen SA Gibaud (Suisse) SA Quartz Bio SA 9 T Alpaderm Sàrl Mane SA 415. Carbogen AMCIS 439. Intuitive Surgical 465. UCB Farchim N N Alpro Swiss Sàrl Médiplant 8 E 27 / 29 / 32 / 39 / 42 / Arpasan Sàrl Givaudan SA RF Pharmaceuticals Sàrl 0 E Market Access F Atheris Laboratories SA Groupe PP Holding SA RiboVax Biotechnologies SA F Alro Engineering SA Medirio SA 416. Celgene 440. Johnson & Johnson 466. Unilabs Integrated Solutions O 48 / 50 / 54 / 57 O 8 / 20 / 49 1 Battelle Memorial Institute Geneva Research H. Hilderbrand Cie & SA Rodanotech Sàrl 1 American Orthodontics Switzerland Sàrl mediSeeds Sàrl R R Aromadis Sàrl MedPlast SA 417. Covance Central Laboratory 441. Lonza 467. Unimed Center Health Systems and Technology Sage Products Sàrl B B ASQ Services SA Méoc SA Services BC Consulting & Solutions Sàrl Helvemed SA Saniswiss SA N 17 36 55 N 442. Medtronic Europe 468. Valsynthese (Société Suisse des BioAlliance Pharma Switzerland SA Helvetica Health Care Sàrl Sanofi-Aventis (Suisse) SA ASSCO Engineering Monthey SA Merck Sharp & Dohme (Switzerland) GmbH 418. CSL Behring Explosifs Group) BioAlps HEPIA Santen Switzerland SA Augurix SA MWV Switzerland SA 443. Medtronic Kyphon 23 Biomedix SA Highpoint Solutions Scientis Pharma SA Auxyme SA Myotest SA 419. Debiopharm Research & 469. Valtronic Technologies BACHEM SA, succursale de Vionnaz Novipart Sàrl 444. Merck Serono BioMérieux (Suisse) SA Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève Selexis SA Manufacturing BioXPress Therapeutics SA ID Quantique SA Servier (Suisse) SA 103 / Barman Robert, IVA Biotechnology Odinelixir SA 470. Vifor Pharma 18 37 56 124 BCVs: Banque Cantonale du Valais PAP Cosmetics Sciences SA 445. Merz (Anteis) A Bracco Suisse SA IE Industrial Engineering Genève SA SGS SA 420. Debiopharm Be-Ceuticals SA Pearlwater Mineralquellen AG 471. Ypsomed 10 / 35 V Business & Decision (Suisse) SA IFPMA Snortec Sàrl 113 / 118 / 446. Micro Precision Systems N Biar SA Pharma Futura SA E Calypso Biotech SA Incyte Europe Sàrl Solae Europe SA 233 O 127 421. Debiotech 472. Ziemer Ophtalmic Systems N Calypte Biomedical Corporation Index Ventures SA Solid Drug Development SA SI BioArk SA PharmAlp SA 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 447. MindMaze E Campus Biotech Innovation Park Indigo Consulting Sàrl SpineArt SA BioKaiZen SA Phyto Concept Conseil SA 422. Dentsply Sirona 24 G 213 19 38 57 Capsant Neurotechnologies SA Infomed SA St. Jude Medical GVA Sàrl Biowebspin SA PhytoArk SA 448. Nestlé Health Science Chord Therapeutics Sàrl InnoPeritus Sàrl Stemergie Biotechnology SA Carbogen Amcis SA Pixon Engineering SA 423. DuPont de Nemours Holding 120 216 / 238 / 449. Nestlé Covance Central Laboratory Services SA Integra Lifesciences Services SA SteriSwiss Sàrl 252 CCV (Centre Chimie Vouvry) Sàrl Pro Valplantes SA 424. Edwards Lifesciences DAC-Ortho SA Intrachem Bio SA Stragen Pharma SA Ceres Heilmittel AG RehaxOne SA 450. Novimmune Data Mining Int Inc Katzarov SA Surcotec SA 1 / 4 / 17 Chirmat Sàrl Ridepharm Consulting Sàrl DepGen SA Kemopharm SA Swiss Institute of BioInformatics (SIB) CimArk SA RNI Consulting Healthcare Sàrl Dermabiotech Sàrl Kessler SA Swiss Institute of Cell Therapies (SICT) CIMO Compagnie industrielle de Monthey SA Sanakvo Fondation 25 Diepharmex SA KeySep Sàrl Swiss Precision Diagnostics (SPD) CordSavings SA Sanaro SA Dineras International SA Keysight Technologies Switzerland SA SWiSS TM SA Cosmotec SA SFM SA Drug Design Tech SA Kyowa Kirin Sàrl Tasly Europe Co., Ltd Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA Sigatec SA A B C D Drugs Efor Neglected DiseasesF Initiative (DNDi)G Laboratoires HBailleul SA I TavernierJ Tschanz K L M N O P Q R S DiagnoSwissT SA U V W SimplicityBio SAX Y Z DuPont de Nemours Holding SA Laboratoires Plan SA Technilab SA ERAS Suisse SA SISPha SA MAP LEGEND Dynamics Group SA Lascco SA The Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis Espace Création Sion SKIN CELL TECHNOLOGIES, BENATHAN Eclosion2 SA Linkage Biosciences Sàrl and Malaria ExcellGene SA SpirAlps SA Eli Lilly (Suisse) SA LSC consulting Topotarget Switzerland SA Fondation The Ark Spsolutions SA Endeavour Vision SA MaestroHeart SA Totzke & Dreher Scientific SA FSC - Fondation Suisse pour les Cyberthèses Station de recherche Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil >DRIVE CHANGE Endosense SA MaxiVAX SA Transcot SA GAP Engineering SA Suisse Med Technologies SA

Epithelix Sàrl Med Communications Intl Sàrl TRB Chemedica International SA Gevaltec Sàrl Swiss Beauty Technologies SA BIOTECH COSMETIC Ergomed Virtuoso Sàrl Medical Devices Lease SA Triskel Integrated Services SA HemaCore SA Swiss Dental Material SA • • HOSPITAL EspeRare Foundation Medical Titanium Sàrl USF Healthcare SA HES-SO Valais-Wallis Swissaustral Biotech SA Homeolab SA Swissfillon AG MEDTECH FOUNDATION / ASSOCIATION Ethimedix SA Medicontur SA UNIGE • • EY Medimaps Group SA United BioSource (Suisse) SA IIG - Institut Informatique de Gestion - HES-SO Valais Swortec SA >INNOVATE FOR GROWTH RESEARCH Fasteris SA Medicxi Valucept Sàrl Fondation Inartis Syngenta Crop Protection Monthey AG SERVICE INCUBATOR Firmenich SA Menicon Co., Ltd Vector LifeSciences SA Inflamalps SA Synthes Produktions GmbH • • Fluid Automation Systems SA Michael Page Healthcare & Life science SA Vifor Pharma AG Institut de Recherche en Ophtalmologie (IRO) TauDerma SA HOSTING Institut de Recherche en Réadaptation - Réinsertion TechniCAD Engineering SA NUTRITION UNIVERSITY / HOSPITAL Fondation Artères MicroLeman SàRL Vigisense SA • • Fondation Brocher Milian SA Viroblock SA ITV - Institut Technologies du vivant HES-SO Valais Wallis TRB Chemedica SA Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva Mintaka Medical Research Foundation V-Watch SA Jardin Cosmetik Valmed SA >CONNECT PEOPLE PHARMA INVESTOR INNOVATION SUPPORT Fondation Eclosion MMV Medicines For Malaria Venture Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering La Colline Cellular Research Laboratories SA VALPHARMEX SA • • Fondation Genevoise pour la Formation et la Moinas & Savoye Sàrl Xcelens SA Laboratoires Anesa SA Valsynthese SA (Société Suisse des Explosifs Group) Recherche Médicale NeoMed Sàrl Zimmer Surgical SA Laboratoires Biologiques Arval SA VTU Engineering Schweiz SA Neurix SA Logival SA Zanin Swiss Cosmetics Lonza AG Zermatten Dental >FOSTER SYNERGIES

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016

WWW.HEALTHVALLEY.CH [2016] Inartis ISBN 978-2-9700593-8-7 © Fondation 22 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 23

Prexton’s CEO François Conquet is Asceneuron’s CEO Dirk Beher is starting supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation. clinical trials to cure taupathies. A NEW GENERATION OF STARTUPS TRANS FORMS NEUROSCIENCE INTO THERAPIES

technology fi rst in its category.” (tau) associated with the disease. people are making slow progress with BY FABRICE DELAYE THE RECENT BURGEONING OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH In February 2015, this endorsement CEO Dirk Beher explains: “We chose to amyloid beta (the other protein’s dysfunc- INITIATIVES IN WESTERN SWITZERLAND IS SPINNING OFF NEW BIOTECH GENEURO OPENS facilitated Prexton’s fundraising of $10 focus on the molecule tau, the lesser tion associated with Alzheimer’s), it is STARTUPS. SOME HAVE ALREADY STARTED HUMAN CLINICAL TRIALS TO million in a Series A round, co-led by explored of the two major Alzheimer’s most likely we will need therapies for both MEET UNMET NEEDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS. THE IPO WINDOW FOR Sunstone Capital and Ysios Capital and disease pathologies, because it off ers us pathologies to have success in humans,” NEUROTECH STARTUPS supported by the company’s founding the chance to establish proof of concept he explains. hen Merck Serono decided approach to treating Parkinson’s disease. AMTIBODY Despite difficult market investor MS Ventures. With these funds, fi rst in another taupathy: progressive In September 2015, Asceneuron an- to close its headquarters in  is progressive neurodegenerative conditions in April, Geneva-based GeNeuro Prexton was able to enter into a phase I supranuclear palsy (PSP).” PSP is an nounced the closing of a series A fi nancing Geneva in 2012, it not only disorder is caused by the loss of dopami- succeeded in raising €33 million on clinical trial in the UK in March. Conquet orphan neurodegenerative disorder also round of 30 million Swiss francs led by left 40,000 square metres of nergic neurons in the brain which control Euronext, valuing the company at €190 is confi dent and is starting to raise another associated with tau accumulation. Drog Sofi nnova and joined by SR One, Kurma W labs, offi ces and conference movement initiation and coordination. million. “We have a very strong story”, round of $30 million to fi nance a phase II. development in PSP could be faster and Partners and JJDC. MS Ventures again rooms that are now the premises of Current treatments try to replace dopa- explains Jesús Martin-Garcia, CEO of the “ e demand for a cure for Parkinson’s more tractable than Alzheimer’s. “Since participated in the round. Campus Biotech (see page 14). Based on its mine or to mimic its eff ects by chronically 25-employees company. “Our approach is disease is huge with about 8-10 million leadership in multiple sclerosis with its administering patients with the dopamine unique because we target the very causes patients in the world and an annual Is that why you invested in AC Immune and blockbuster drug, the interferon Rebif, precursor L-dopa, inhibitors of dopamine of diseases such as multiple sclerosis.” increase of 2.5 % because of an aging “INVESTING IN chair its board? Merck Serono had developed extensive catabolic enzymes or direct dopamine Founded in 2006 as a spin-off of research population” he explains. “Parkinson’s “I want to be an active investor and support a expertise in research into the treatment of receptor agonists.  ese treatments pro- conducted over 15 years at Institut exerts a huge toll on society because of the NEUROSCIENCE HAS A company where I can offer my business diseases of the central nervous system. vide symptomatic relief in the early to Mérieux, GeNeuro has advanced rapidly lack of autonomy it induces for patients.” perspective as well as funding. When I met For strategic reasons, the company then middle stages of the disease, but lose their over the past decade in the development MAJOR SOCIAL IMPACT” Andrea Pfeiffer, the founder and CEO of AC decided to focus its R&D on immunothe- effi cacy as it progresses. None of them has of monoclonal antibodies targeting The road to Alzheimer’s Considered a leading European business angel Immune 13 years ago, she presented me with rapy and more specifi cally multiple demonstrated neuroprotection which can pathogenic effects of human endogenous If Parkinson’s weight on society is heavy, by the Wall Street Journal, entrepreneur and a radical new approach to not only treating sclerosis. But it recognised the value of its delay the disease’s progression. retroviruses for treating autoimmune what to say about the predicted epidemic philanthropist Martin Velasco pioneered but also diagnosing Alzheimer’s. Even if there other ongoing preclinical programmes. Following research started at Merck diseases. The company is currently of Alzheimer’s disease? In the last 10 investment in neurosciences as chairman of were many risks, it was the potential impact Instead of closing them down, it created Serono, Prexton stimulated a compensa- developing the first treatment that directly years, the number of adults living with the AC Immune. of these technologies that drove me to get an investment vehicle to seed science tory neuronal system that was not impac- targets a cause of multiple sclerosis. neurodegenerative disease has jumped Your background is in formation technology, involved in the company. The logic was the entrepreneurs willing to transform this ted by the disease. Some receptors GeNeuro has a 350 million euros agree- from 26 million to more than 36 million why did you get involved in life sciences and same a few years later with the deep brain research into products. Supported by the (mGluR4) were strategically localised to ment with French pharmaceutical worldwide. Experts are predicting this specifically neurosciences? stimulation devices developed by Aleva €100 million venture arm of the fi rm, MS counteract neurotransmitter imbalance company Servier which is funding its number will reach 100 million by 2050. “There are two reasons. First the very high Neuroprosthetics.” Ventures , the Entrepreneur Partnership and restore motor behavior.  e company multiple sclerosis clinical trial in exchange Asceneuron, another spin-off of Merck quality of research in Western Switzerland. And is it this potential impact that gave you Program (EPP) has spun off four biotech developed positive allosteric modulators for licensing rights outside the US and Serono supported by the Entrepreneur Also, success in this field can have a major the patience to wait years before seeing a startups. Two of these are developing (PAMs) to increase mGluR4 activity while Japan. It is conducting a phase IIb clinical Partnership Program and an initial invest- impact on people and society. It is particularly return on your investment? breakthrough therapies for neurological mitigating the likelihood of adverse trial with 260 patients enlisted in 13 ment of 6 million Swiss francs, is working true with brain diseases. The increase of “One has to understand that brain research is pathologies. eff ects. According to Prexton’s CEO and European countries. Preliminary results to treat Alzheimer’s disease with three Alzheimer’s with the ageing of the population very complex and requires time. If the team is founder François Conquet: “ is approach are expected by the end of 2017. Its IPO complementary therapies. In particular, has the potential to drive all health systems performing well it does not matter if there are An alternative for Parkinson’s received a crucial validation when in 2014 has opened a window for Swiss neurotech the company is developing a molecule to into bankruptcy in the decades to come.” delays in phases I and II.” Prexton  erapeutics, based at Geneva’s the Michael J Fox Foundation selected us companies such as AC Immune. prevent the formation of neurofi brillary

incubator Eclosion, is developing a unique for a grant of $2 million and ranked our PHOTOS: DR tangles by the dysfunction of a protein

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 24 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 25

MindMaze’s CEO Tej Tadi has developed its own VR Helmet associated with EEG.

started a special project for developing MINDMAZE, NEUROSCIENCE’S countries where treatment of brain di- seases remains primary,” he says. “I was looking for a hospital in India with which to collaborate. I fi nally came to the FIRST UNICORN IS SWISS Hinduja clinic in Mumbai that has an interesting model because doctors do not ry of the EPFL’s various support mecha- cameras recorded the movements of know the fi nancial means of patients and BY FABRICE DELAYE A PRODUCT OF nisms for the creation of startups at its healthy people as well as patients aff ected treat them all the same way.”  is led him WESTERN SWITZERLAND’S Innovation Park. by neural problems. At the same time, an to meet with the Hinduja group and STARTUP ECOSYSTEM, THE electroencephalogram (EEG) and other specifi cally Ajay Hinduja who is based in COMPANY FOUNDED IN LAUSANNE “Video ergo sum” sensors measured brain activity. Tadi Geneva. BY INDIAN ENTREPRENEUR TEJ TADI How Tadi came to Switzerland says so- discovered the power of brain plasticity IS USING VIRTUAL REALITY FOR mething of his character. While at high and the ability of neurons to reorganise. Enhanced training NEUROREHABILITATION AND OTHER school in Hyderabad, India, he published “I realised the exercises patients were After due diligence, the Hinduja Group BRAIN ENHANCEMENT an article explaining how fuel cells could doing for rehabilitation such as using a invested 100 million francs of which half is APPLICATIONS. perpetually power a spacecraft to explore mouse to move a hand on a screen were in cash and the rest takes the form of the universe. Its originality and ambition not satisfactory,” he says. “ ey were not convertible loans. Few other private t’s surprising who you might chance caught the eye of an electronics professor consistent with the representations our investors joined the round. With this deal, to encounter at MindMaze. On the day at EPFL, Alfred Rufer, who invited him to brain has of our body.” Hence the idea of Tadi found funding but also a strategic of my visit, I met Guerrino De Luca, Lausanne. It was a trip that decided Tadi’s using the immersive world of virtual partner with which he has the equivalent president of IT company Logitech, future. “I come from a family of doctors reality.  is was the “eureka” moment of a credit line.  e Hinduja conglomerate, I leading a delegation to the Lausanne- and all I knew then was that I did not want which led to the 2007 publication in Lebret who managed the Innogrants two business angels. with 70,000 employees and revenues of based startup and meeting its 35 year-old to do medical studies,” he says. Science journal of an article titled “Video programme which supports new ventures. Incorporated in May 2012, MindMaze $30 billion, runs factories, distribution boss Tej Tadi. “Electronics and graphic interfaces were ergo sum” - I see therefore I am - and In the last eight years it has backed 90 runs parallel strategies. “ e idea was networks, leasing and call centres in 50 Since the company’s announcement much more fun.” So much so that he got laid the foundations of MindMaze’s tech- projects selected from 650 applications, always to have a medical grade product,” countries. earlier this year that it had raised $100 work developing special eff ects in nology culminating two years later with and of these, 60 resulted in the creation of Tadi says, “plus a technology for other It was not only the potential of virtual million, Tadi has brought Switzerland into Bollywood movies and continues to this the Pfi zer neuroscience prize. startups. “My number one criterion is the markets.”  is led to the development of reality for motor rehabilitation of patients the small club of countries able to produce day to make short fi lms in 3D, just for fun. personality of entrepreneurs,” Lebret says, MindPlayPro, a suite of interactive games that interested the Indian group.  ey also a “unicorn” - a startup valued at more Having started his engineering studies A product of Western Switzerland’s recalling his meeting with Tadi. “I went to for the rehabilitation of upper limbs, then saw opportunities for a medical grade than the symbolic US $1 billion mark. jointly at EPFL and the University of ecosystem see an esoteric virtual reality technology to MindLeap, a virtual reality helmet device which also had applications in TechCrunch lists 168 of these worldwide, Nagpur in Mumbai, he settled in Unlike his colleagues, Tadi is not a pure and I found someone who was charisma- associated with EEG. other markets such as security, sports and mainly in the United States and China but Switzerland in 2004 to start a masters scientist.  e more he experienced tic and funny and who could explain an  e company opened an offi ce in San learning. including 12 in Europe. degree with Prof Daniel  almann, one of virtual reality with patients, the more he ambitious project with great simplicity. It Francisco where, in nearby Silicon Valley, Tadi uses applications such as remote In his new 7th-fl oor offi ces with breath- the pioneers of virtual reality. At that time, became convinced of its potential for didn’t take us long to select him.” Tadi saw virtual reality gathering momen- control for drones and robots as well as taking views over Lake Geneva and the however, major changes were also taking rehabilitation, and the idea of a startup Innogrants provided 100,000 francs to tum with the acquisition of Oculus by performance training. MindMaze can be Alps beyond, Tadi intends to leverage these place on the Lausanne campus. matured. He had no business experience. allow Tadi to concentrate for a year on Facebook and the phenomenon of uni- used, for example, on a simulator project new funds in an ambitious growth strategy. Professor Aebischer’s initiatives in But he had the advantage of being im- transforming his project into a startup. corns.  is made him think about how to for the improvement of brain-motion A clear sign of buoyant growth is that his neurosciences led to the creation of the mersed in the entrepreneurial ecosystem Tadi thus entered a community, passing fi nance MindMaze. “We were not building interfaces for driving.  e way of learning 55 employees are already rather cramped, Brain Mind Institute and the recruitment the EPFL was growing. through VentureKick, an acceleration an app but hardware,” he says. “It needed is the same for anything from golf to barely three months after they moved in. of visionary researchers including Olaf  e fi rst to see his potential was Hervé programme that awarded him 30,000 scale and long-term investors. Raising a trading.  e company’s spectacular fundraising Blanke who was investigating how the francs, then the business training pro- spectacular amount became justifi able But there is yet more to Tadi’s vision. He has aroused great interest, but Tadi will not brain builds representations of the body grammes VentureLab and VentureLeaders because we had not only a commercial is currently working on a multisensory be diverted from the path he started on through illusions like phantom limbs and “Tadi had the advantage that brought him to Boston to meet poten- product validated by clinical data but also processing chip to create deeper identifi - twelve years ago, rooted in the mission extracorporeal experiences. Fascinated, tial partners and investors. His selection in a technology for the future.” cation between avatars or robots and driving the Swiss Federal Institute of Tadi started his PhD with Blanke exploring of being immersed in the startup competition of the IMD busi- Recruited by the Davos Forum Young people through the use of human senses. Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) to turn how to digitise human walking for avatars ness school led him to Silicon Valley, but Global Leaders programme in 2015, Tadi As he looks out at the magnifi cent view science into business. Tadi is the product of and robots. To do so, he proposed using the Swiss entrepreneurial seed fi nancing came from Swiss institu- found his way to the giants of tech. But it from his Lausanne offi ce, he is counting the transdisciplinary scientifi c ethos virtual reality. tions such as the Gebert Rüf Foundation, was ultimately chance, philanthropy and on Western Switzerland’s renowned encouraged at the institute by its president Tadi built the basic components of the ecoysytem.” the Commission for Technology and the proximity of Geneva that led to the 100 expertise in microelectronics and neuros-

Patrick Aebischer. He is also the benefi cia- system that now drives MindMaze: 1,100 PHOTOS: FRANÇOIS WAVRE/LUNDI13 Innovation (CTI), the canton of Vaud and million francs fi nancing round. “We had ciences to achieve his further ambitions.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 26 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 27

THE BENEFRI, A NETWORK FOR STUDYING THE BRAIN

First, dedicated training attracts students BY PASCAL VERMOT BERN AND FRIBOURG IN SWITZERLAND HAVE PIONEERED who are fi nalising their master’s degree TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR YOUNG NEUROSCIENTISTS SETTING and could be tempted to turn their atten- UP THE FIRST DOCTORAL SCHOOL DEDICATED TO NEUROSCIENCES tion to other areas of research for their IN SWITZERLAND. PhD, or perhaps even to leave altogether for new horizons.  e originality of the he initiative was ahead of its time. to this type of research and teaching.  e BeNeFri neuroscience programme opens In 1996, when the cantons of University of Neuchâtel, however, had no neuroscience to aspects other than those Bern and Fribourg signed an active research group in neurosciences which are purely related to human biolo- agreement in favour of joint - their activities were more focused on gy – such as veterinary medicine, mathe- T education to support postgra- special strengths such as parasitology.” matics, computer science and clinical duate training in neurobiology, and  e point of such a joint initiative is to psychiatry – a feature also likely to seduce neurobiology combined with neuro-in- allow PhD students to assist selected many PhD students. formatics, they were pioneers in setting lectures that are in the European credit Second, one of the essential facets of up the fi rst doctoral school dedicated to transfer and accumulation system the project was to urge participants to the neurosciences in Switzerland. (ECTS), and to take part in seminars, carry out “certain aspects of the scientifi c relatively modest.  e last batch had only student in Bern who has to follow implement courses for students and However, the programme has not workshops and other research activities. work with other partner institutions in a 15 PhD candidates. Even if the training courses at the University of Geneva.  is hence to organise their training has had completely lived up to its name.  ere is At Fribourg, eight research groups are collaborative spirit” even if they are programme lasts three years, the annual sort of logistical challenge hinders more benefi cial impacts on research carried supposedly a network between Bern, part of the initiative.  eir core interests pursuing a scientifi c assignment for the workforce will be limited to 50 PhD than it is benefi cial”. Apart from these out in diff erent partner groups. As an Neuchâtel and Fribourg – designated by range from the cognitive and neurological institute which is supervising them – a trainees.  is is not a lot in the context of practical issues, merging programmes illustration, in 2009, Fribourg introduced the acronym BeNeFri – yet what has been sciences to neurophysiology, including facet that would lead to tangible benefi ts similar and more recent initiatives. would require a complete overhaul of the the third year of their training pro- called the neuroscience programme has the perception and control of motion and such as joint publication in renowned Launched in 2002, the Lemanic kind of training off ered between the gramme into the curriculum of their partners only at the universities of Bern brain circuits involved in positive emo- scientifi c journals or exchanges of PhD Neuroscience Doctoral School, a joint academic institutions, and, though it faculty of medicine which allowed us to and Fribourg. And although its website tions and visual cognition. In Bern, no students between the various research initiative of the Swiss Federal Institute of may seem a paradox, gathering all re- set up training courses in neurology at the states that the University of Neuchâtel less than three faculties are partners: groups. Technology (EPFL), the universities of sources under one fl ag would not neces- Inselspital in Bern, and thus approach the “may become involved” in the more or medicine, veterinary medicine and Lausanne and Geneva and their hospitals, sarily attract more PhD candidates in clinical environment”. In this way, trai- less near future, for the time being it is science. A clinical component is also Exploring pain attracts about 130 doctoral trainees.  e neurosciences. ning and research are tightly related. not. Most of the eff ort put into developing integrated, as research is carried out in Professor Dominique Glauser leads a Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in According to its initiators, the Bern- Every network forms a structure in the programme is still done by Bern and the department of neurology at the group at the department of biology at Zurich’s Neuroscience Center created a Fribourg programme has a satisfactory perpetual motion. On the whim of acade- Fribourg. university hospital, Inselspital. Fribourg which is a partner in the pro- programme in 1998 which, from the very track record, even if it is diffi cult to mic migrations, researchers who were In terms of the upcoming academic gramme. His team off ers to future PhD beginning, was clearly orientated towards quantify. “What is essential for PhD formerly linked to Fribourg or Bern have Doctoral school generation, there are many benefi ts of a students the opportunity to carry out being international and attracts 260 students is to benefi t from high-quality become the programme’s ambassadors Éric Rouiller, chair of neurophysiology at doctoral school focused on research topics research on the fascinating and myste- students every year. training that we are in a position to off er, well beyond its historical borders. Rainer Fribourg and the progamme’s manager as promising as those in neuroscience. rious area of neuron pain receptors. and for scientifi c collaborations to blos- mentions the case of a colleague who until recently, explains: “ e initiative Research is carried out on the commonly The challenge of local competition som”, Rainer stresses, while Rouiller went to the canton of Ticino but remains was thought up over twenty years ago. used worm model, with state-of-the-art So why continue to work on your own adds: “ e network that is required to a member of the network. New collabo-  e project developed gradually over the “The BeNeFri opens technology in optogenetics and bioinfor- when there are two other major doctoral rations can emerge. years, and then became formalised matics.  e job off er was advertised early programmes within 150 kilometres? “I Switzerland seems a small country to between Bern and Fribourg. Our wish neuroscience to aspects on in July on the website of the presti- believe that proximity is essential for the “Research are carried out accommodate so many competing PhD was to create one of the fi rst doctoral gious journal Nature and stresses the smooth-running of our training pro- training programmes. Rainer tried to schools in the neurosciences so that our other than those purely possibility of joining the BeNeFri neuros- gramme,” says Gregor Rainer, associate on the fascinating area of bridge the BeNeFri with the Lemanic students could benefi t from training cience programme as an opportunity to professor at the University of Fribourg Neuroscience Doctoral School a few years programmes that were both generous related to human biology.” benefi t from high-quality training. and recently appointed co-manager of neuron pain receptors.” ago but, offi cially, it was not successful.

and advanced in the various areas related However, the number of candidates is PHOTO: DR the programme. “Imagine a doctoral Perhaps it’s just a matter of time?

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 28 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 29

Professor Courtine’s team is working to offer patients with partial spinal paralysis the hope of recovering their mobility.

By 2020, the Rehabilitation Clinic SuvaCare (CRR) will have merged with the Rehabilitation Research Institute (IRR).

director explains. And the new fi eld of complex and still at the prototype stage. slowly fading, and that clinicians are expertise will be neurorehabilitation, However, they do give patients hope not benefi tting from an ever-widening that is to say all fi elds of technology that only that they might recover their ability collaboration with fundamental resear- are required to support the replacement to walk or grasp but also acquire a sense chers. “CRR is a fi eld partner off ering its of any motor or cerebral function that of touch thanks to the development of researchers direct access to fellow clini- has been lost in a patient, or indeed “bionic tissues”. With obvious caveats, it cians as well as to patients.” says Gilles facilitate its recuperation. seems we are not far from Steve Austin’s Rivier, medical director of CRR. “Six Million Dollar Man”. Conversely, clinicians can count on Rehabilitation medicine 2.0 With the arrival of Hummel in Sion, specialists who are able to decipher the Ongoing research gives a good picture of future developments in the fi eld will no underlying mechanisms at work in each what is meant by “rehabilitation medi- doubt be of a very diff erent calibre. “His of our patients. Take hand paralysis for cine 2.0”, a form of medicine gradually nomination marks the beginning of a example. Scientists can exploit a pa- THE VALAIS REGION, EUROPEAN coming to prominence. For example, new period in neuroscience develop- tient’s will to make his or her hand move Professor Grégoire Courtine’s team is ment in Sion,” Olaf Blanke explains. in order to regain the use of it faster.  at working on being able to off er patients “Trained as a neurologist and specialising said, you still have to be able to decode who suff er from partial spinal paralysis in cellular and molecular neurobiology, the patient’s brain signals correctly NURSERY FOR NEUROREHABILITATION the hope of recovering their mobility. By  omas Hummel will be at the head of a through computer analysis and put to using the mouse model and combining a group of 15 to 20 people whose compe- good use the technology you have at your Bertrand Léger, interim director of IRR, chemical cocktail coupled to implant- tencies are especially useful to patients disposal. It is in this way that translatio- BY PASCAL VERMOT BY INCORPORATING TWO RESEARCH CHAIRS AT THE explains. “ ere was growing demand induced electrostimulation of the ner- in a hospital specialising in rehabilita- nal research makes sense.” SWISS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LAUSANNE (EPFL), THE VALAIS REGION from our clinicians to develop research vous system, researchers have already tion, particularly in the fi eld of cognitive Naturally, researchers at EPFL fi nd AND CAMPUS ENERGYPOLIS’ “HEALTH CENTRE” ARE LEADING THE WAY projects, and we decided to react by managed to control in real time the way rehabilitation.” Many patients are admit- something in it for themselves. Patients TO CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES 2.0 tightening the bonds between funda- rats move and the height to which they ted to CRR following strokes. Acquiring a admitted to a rehabilitation hospital are mental science and engineering. With can lift their hind limbs. Tests have greater fundamental understanding of usually there for a relatively long period. he canton of Valais is reshuffl ing in Sion.  omas Hummel was appointed respect to other fi elds of research, such already been carried out at Lausanne the mechanisms that underlie symptoms Consequently, the scientists are able to its cards in providing care to head of the laboratory this summer. as cancer for example, very little had University Hospital (CHUV), and the associated with these pathologies such as follow them for many weeks at a time, patients who suff er from serious been carried out in the fi eld of rehabilita- robot platform that was developed for impaired vision could nourish future sometimes even months.  e pool of injuries, paralysis and strokes. By Clinical Neurosciences tion, so the request was all the stronger”. analysing walking ability is about to research projects carried out in Sion. patients in rehabilitation medicine is not 2020, the Rehabilitation Clinic Clinical neuroscience is emerging as a EPFL has had a centre for neuro- disembark in Sion to tried out on patients big, so having access to a population of T Transcranial magnetic stimulation SuvaCare (CRR) – the main actor in the new fi eld of expertise in which the Valais prosthetics since 2013.  e incorporation at CRR. patients who are all admitted to the same fi eld in Switzerland – will have merged region intends to be competitive. Once of a similar chair in Sion boosted the Professor José Millàn’s research group Michela Bassolino has only just arrived in centre – and what is more the biggest of with the Rehabilitation Research Institute established, about twenty EPFL scientists alliance between fundamental, applied has made numerous advances in the fi eld Sion, and her objectives give a brief its kind in the region – comes as a piece (IRR). CRR already accommodates IRR will be working at CRR, thus constituting and clinical research.  e type of re- of man-machine interfaces.  e team insight into the new alleys she intends to of unexpected good fortune. “If we could, on its premises, and sharing their exper- the heart of Campus Energypolis’ “Health search carried out by Professor Olaf has already shown that patients with explore. Award winner of the Swiss we would all like to move to Sion”, smiles tise in research and medical quality Centre”.  e centre is already under way Blanke’s team fell eff ortlessly within the spinal paralysis are able to pilot a National Science Foundation’s Blanke. control will create an organisation dedi- within the framework of a partnership scope of “activity and pain” that had wheelchair merely by way of thought “Ambizione” grant, the neuropsycholo- Just a joke? Not really. “It is important cated to clinical research. Meanwhile, between the Valais State, EPFL and been carried out by CRR. “Our scientists with a system that can translate a pa- gist intends to combine transcranial for the scientists to be where the patients CRR is tightening its bonds with the Swiss HES-SO Valais-Wallis. concentrate on the translational reach of tient’s electrical signals into an executed magnetic stimulation – a non-invasive are,” he says. “If you want to achieve true Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).  is is an unprecedented development technology we are developing in the lab. command, although only by intense method – with virtual reality to manipu- medical and technical advances, if you Apart from the half-dozen researchers for a clinical entity more accustomed to Our research is carried out where our concentration.  is kind of research late and restore a feeling of physicality in hope to succeed in developing robotic who currently hold the school’s chairs in surgeons, orthopedists and physiothera- patients reside.  is is of immediate should signifi cantly improve the way patients infl icted with chronic neurolo- systems that have been tested, approved neuroprosthetics, a new chair in clinical pists than to engineers and neuroscien- benefi t to our scientists because we can patients – whose hand, arm or leg, has gical troubles. and optimised, not only do you need to neuroengineering and human-computer tists. “Historically, CRR has specialised in test each device under real conditions, been amputated – will cope with  is goes to show once again that the see the patients frequently, but also their interaction has set up its headquarters in orthopedic traumas, even if we do alrea- and then regulate them according to a controlling new generation prostheses. frontiers which traditionally existed physiotherapists and their doctors. Just

a brand new 300 square metre laboratory dy have a department of neurology,” patient’s individual profi le”, the centre’s PHOTOS: DR  ese robotised limbs are particularly between diff erent scientifi c domains are shaping an idea in the lab is not enough.”

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 30 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 31

Filing an application at the European Patent Office (EPO) shows the advantage of a single prosecution before said office, as opposed to separate prosecutions in each single European country of interest.

right - named supplementary protection certifi cate (SPC) -provides for up to 5 BUILDING A STRONG PATENT years of further monopoly protection for specifi c patented medicinal product. Additional examples of patent life cycle management strategies include fi ling PORTFOLIO IN NEUROSCIENCES patents on a specifi c pharmaceutical

which necessarily involved the destruc- third party IP rights have expired - you BY GILLES PFEND* FLEXIBLE AND tion of human embryos. may want to protect your invention by CREATIVE INTELLECTUAL fi ling a priority patent application.  e A priority application PROPERTY PROTECTION “ Freedom to operate? principle of priority is very useful since STRATEGIES MUST BE Before launching a new product (drug or the applicant does not have to fi le the written quickly and IMPLEMENTED BY RESEARCH medical device) on the market, and often patent application in several countries of INSTITUTIONS OR COMPANIES even before undertaking a new round of interest simultaneously as most countries without the help of an IP ACTIVE IN NEUROSCIENCES. research that could lead to the develop- follow the so-called “fi rst-to-fi le-sys- HERE IS WHY AND HOW? ment of a new product, it is essential to tem” in granting a patent to the applicant expert is likely to be ensure that the manufacture, the marke- who fi led the application fi rst.  e appli- t is increasingly clear that studies of ting or the use of said new product, does cant is then entitled to claim priority for a invalidated.” central and peripheral nervous not infringe intellectual property rights of period of twelve months and the fi ling systems require an interdisciplinary third parties by determining whether a date of that fi rst application is considered approach. Discoveries made during “freedom to operate” (FTO) exists. the “priority date”. concept for the lead compound has Australia, to name a few. formulation of the drug, a specifi c treat- I these studies lead to inventions in  e Patent Attorney in charge of this  e importance of the quality of this clearly been established. Countries in which protection is ment regimen, a combination therapy, an fi elds as diverse as biology, chemistry, FTO analysis , will determine the territo- fi rst fi ling is often overlooked. During the In contrast to the requirements to be sought is generally governed by several alternative method of producing the drug psychology, engineering, and rial scope of third party IP rights, their analysis of third parties patent portfolios, met for scientifi c articles submissions, it criteria: country where the headquarters, or specifi c chemical forms of said drug. bioinformatics. respective statuses, the scope of protec- it is unfortunately not rare to fi nd priority is not necessary to focus on the exact R & D of the applicant and its production Building a strong patent portfolio that New challenges emerge; fl exible and applications of poor quality (so called biological mechanism aff ected by the are located; country where the applicant adds value to companies active in the Life creative intellectual property (IP) protec- “dirty fi lings”), because either they do administration of a drug, what matters is conducts clinical trials, the presence of Sciences and in particular in tion strategies must be implemented by not accurately describe the invention or the technical eff ect observed. competitors in given territories and Neurosciences is a long process, which research institutions or companies active “It is imperative to involve in contrast, these applications describe territories where competitor is usually requires special attention. It is imperative in this fi eld in order to obtain a strong and claim the invention too narrowly. The selection of countries seeking patent protection, disease preva- to involve the patent attorney not only in patent portfolio to better protect these the patent attorney not A priority application written quickly It is advisable to take into account the lence, etc. the early stages of development of the inventions. and without the help of an IP expert is territorial scope of the patent protection It is also advisable to fi le regional drug but also throughout the life of said only in early stages of a likely to be invalidated in case of dispute for an invention well before extending applications rather than national ones. drug in order to adapt the protection Identifying promising patentable (opposition before the patent offi ce or the application by national phases. For example, fi ling an application at the during the prosecution of the patent inventions drug but also thoughout validity contest in court). Any disclosure Several legal factors must be taken into European Patent Offi ce (EPO) or at the application. For budgetary reasons, it is not always such as a scientifi c publication, a poster, account when drafting the priority Eurasian Patent Offi ce shows the advan- possible to fi le patent applications for all the life of said drug.” an oral communication, that took place application, or at the latest while fi nali- tage of a single prosecution before said * GILLES PFEND is a partner with KATZAROV, inventions.  erefore, it is necessary to between the fi ling date of the priority zing the drafting of the international offi ces, as opposed to separate prosecu- one of the foremost intellectual property firms identify promising inventions that are application and the subsequent interna- application (PCT) claiming the benefi t of tions in each single country of interest. in Switzerland. He is Swiss & European Patent worth pursuing in a patent application tion conferred by the patent claims and tional application will be destructive of the priority application, so that the patent Attorney and specializes in pharmaceutical, Patent life cycle management preferably with the aid of a Patent their validity. If the analysis concludes in novelty and inventive step for patentabi- application meets the (formal) require- chemical and biotech inventions. Gilles Pfend Attorney who understands the techno- a partial or complete dependence of the lity of a subsequent patent application in ments in most countries. In contrast to other technical domains, counsels local and international Life Sciences logy and who regularly attends internal product toward one or more existing third case the priority is found invalid  e language of the description is an drugs development and their necessary clients on strategic issues relating to the meetings of the R&D and Marketing party IP rights, it will be necessary to important factor to keep in mind when regulatory processes can often be lengthy. development and management of their global Timing of filing departments. consider negotiating one or more licenses preparing the application in order to Both the US and Europe provide exclusi- patent portfolios. His practice focuses on Additionally, not all inventions are from those parties.  e ideal time to fi le a patent application avoid additional translation costs. vity extensions for patented drugs in preparing and prosecuting patents with a key patentable inventions. For example, the is always diffi cult to determine. Indeed, Drafting in English language will reduce order to compensate somewhat this delay objective of ensuring that the clients’ business Strong priority application use of stem cells for treating neurological the fi ling should neither occur too early costs when extending to other countries and R&D costs. For example, in the objectives are met. He also performs diseases is excluded from patentability in If the invention is patentable and you in the product development phase nor or regions accepting the English language countries of the European Union (EU) patentability analysis, due diligence analyses Europe when these stem cells have have the freedom to operate - or that at too late. We generally recommend fi ling such as, the United States, Europe, and of the European Economic Area and renders opinions on freedom-to-operate.

exclusively been obtained by a method, the time the invention will be operated, the priority application when the proof of PHOTO: DR Canada, Israel, India, Singapore, and (EEA), a national intellectual property

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 32 FEATURES | MEDTECH MEDTECH | FEATURES 33

SAFE HOST AND X10SYS ARE MAKING SENSE OF BIOTECH DATA

returns all associated information. effi ciently than traditional methodologies human brain works: a higher order com- science fi ction text Flatland is compared BY ELENA SIKIAS* IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAFE HOST, X10SYS ASSOCIATIVE Key areas of the associative model’s because new information sets can be putational approach which will vastly to Einstein’s 4D space-time universe. TECHNOLOGIES HAS DEVELOPED A NEW DATA MODEL TO HANDLE usefulness outlined in the paper include: added without disturbing the existing increase the productivity of scientists A TSUNAMI OF HEALTH SCIENCES INFORMATION • Rapid integration and correlation of information or applications. working on gene and genome annota- Agility of the associative model data from multiple data sources, allowing As an example from a genomics project, tions.  e global utility of this novel  e associative model encapsulates a data source-agnostic aggregation and the Genomics Researcher’s Assistant aids associative information architecture will single space where all concepts can be he biotech industry faces chal- data centres to provide the most current analysis - much faster and easier than in the automated and domain-expert-di- be further enhanced by our provision of related to one another in any dimension, lenges with “big and complex technology and excellent support traditional methods rected annotation correlation of a large multiple end-user designed, intuitive and regardless of content.  is means that data” which the relational data- services. • Bi-directional dynamic connections number of mis-annotated, under-annota- interactive interfaces that provide truly user-produced content such as new base model was never designed X10SYS has found an excellent partner which allow addition of new associations ted and hypothetical proteins produced by unique and high value-added bio-com- sequence data, or annotation and meta- T to accommodate. Newer NoSQL in Safe Host to deliver superior hosted as more data is ingested all microbial genome projects.  e putational tools for domain-expert users data, is as equally query-ready as the and other technologies are attempting to solutions to our customers without • Real-time correlation analysis Genomics Researcher’s Assistant syste- who are not themselves computational reference data and annotation sources. It manage the problem but each have their having to worry about security and • Less programming and implementa- matically aggregates and correlates all the scientists. Target users include genomic is now possible for researchers to consider own issues with managing structure - service. tion than SQL but with the same accuracy data from gene and protein structure/ scientists and metabolic modellers from user-supplied data as an entry point into they are rigid and complicated, time- • Allowance for unsuspected identifi ca- function databases with user-generated academia and government research labs the query space, where known annotation consuming and do not perform adequa- Breast cancer research tion of clinical patterns data, as well as data from the microbial and bioprocess engineers developing information from multiple sources can tely or deliver the expected results. Research work done by General Electric genome databases within a single, asso- microbially produced pharmaceuticals for simultaneously be used as an informatio- R&D shows some of the benefi ts. A paper Easy global research sharing ciative information architecture providing the treatment of cancer, heart disease and nal lens back onto their own data through A new data science model has been presented and published that Because the model does not use tables and for vastly improved annotation derivation other chronic conditions. which they may identify missing or A new data science model is needed. used the X10SYS Associative Model for all permissions are associatively control- and correlation. In addition, researchers’  e overwhelming majority of digitally signifi cant elements. For example, this X10SYS Associative Technologies, in handling and analysing complex breast led, it is extremely easy for it to block all thoughts and ideas about their research stored discrete data, where data is repre- technique may be employed to deduce the partnership with Safe Host, has produced cancer data. protected health information to everyone hypotheses and discoveries can be easily sented in cells as opposed to image and function of a hypothetical protein based an evolution in data science that is able to  is new approach was designed to except users with appropriate access.  is captured in full association with the audio data, is kept in two-dimensional on placement within an operon and the handle data and information require- meet the needs of various communities means we can share data with numerous relevant genomic data, making it possible spreadsheets and relational databases. exclusion of detected members of a ments going forward. It is much more dealing with big and complex data.  e sites which can use and manipulate it to add perspective to system-derived Both of these use the row and column known metabolic pathway. than a database: it is a “database of data- technology is unique in many ways. It without concern for disruption or HIPAA/ correlations and annotations. structure which provides for a very li- While the system is quite complex, Safe bases”. And beyond that, it is an infor- includes a much easier method to create privacy issues.  e revolutionary X10SYS associative mited number of associations and are Host and X10SYS have designed an archi- mation and knowledge management an instant data warehouse which aggre-  e model’s associative information information modelling technology on highly infl exible with respect to integra- tecture for easy usability and application. system. gates any number of disparate structured architecture is built on simple freeform which the Genomics Researcher’s ting data from other sources.  is ubiqui-  e technology will prove invaluable in At the same time, the requirement for or unstructured data sets. Its single data bi-directional links that do not use tables Assistant is based provides for the combi- tous 2D format for data storage is as li- the biotech arena. ultra-secure data hosting and storage by a instance storage allows for no duplication but which contextualise, defi ne and relate ning and re-combining of multiple data mited in capability and understanding, trusted partner, the expansion of cloud in the data. It is easy to use and facilitates information at the data item level. structures and sets in an almost unlimited compared to the X10SYS associative * ELENA SIKIAS, Marketing and services platforms and geo-location of faster development and results.  ere is no Specialised applications can be developed number of dimensions.  is provides a information architecture, as the world Communications, Safe Host SA

data requirements bring challenges to query language and one fi lter function much more quickly and maintained more PHOTO: DR self-learning format analogous to how the described by Edward Abbott in his classic

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 34 FEATURES | MEDTECH

long-term therapy in Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor.  e second, spi- NEUROSCIENCE MEDTECH derSTIM, is a full solution for intra-surgi- cal placement of DBS electrodes.  e successful results of Aleva’s directSTN pilot study were published in Brain in GATHERS MOMENTUM 2014.  e proceeds of the fi nancing will be used to obtain the CE mark for Aleva’s BY FABRICE DELAYE BASED IN LAUSANNE, G-THERAPEUTICS AND ALEVA proprietary directSTIM directional deep NEURO HAVE RECENTLY RAISED LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO MOVE FROM brain stimulation system in 2017. LAB TO MARKET. OTHERS ARE FOLLOWING. Project rewalk Also a spin-off of research at Prof arlier this year Aleva Grégoire Courtine’s lab at the EPFL, Neurotherapeutics, a leading G- erapeutics raised €26 million in company developing next-gene- April in a Series A investment round ration implants for deep brain co-led by LSP, INKEF Capital, Gimv and E stimulation (DBS), and Wellington Partners. In addition, G- erapeutics, who develop implan- G- erapeutics has secured a €10 million table neuro-stimulation systems (INS) for innovation loan from the Rijksdienst voor electrical stimulation of specifi c areas of Ondernemend Nederland (RvO, part of the spinal cord to improve rehabilitation, Dutch ministry of economic aff airs) to found investors willing to take the risk of support the development of its innovative putting huge amounts of cash behind therapeutic solutions.  e startup will be their breakthrough technologies. based in Lausanne and Eindhoven. Professor Courtine has been working Deep brain stimulation for 15 years on unravelling the mecha- A spin-off from Prof Philippe Renaud’s nisms underlying an eff ective treatment Microsystems Laboratory at the Swiss for people with a spinal cord injury Institute of Technology in Lausanne aff ecting the lower limbs. G- erapeutics (EPFL), by May this year, Aleva will use the funds to bring this unique Neurotherapeutics had raised $18 million new therapy for improved rehabilitation in a Series C fi nancing round. In total, of spinal-cord injuries from lab to pa- Aleva has raised $42 million from renow- tients. In particular, the company is ned private and institutional investors developing the implantable neuro-sti- such BioMedPartners, BB Biotech mulation system for electrical stimula- Ventures, Banexi Ventures Partners and tion while the treatment is also using Initiative Capital Romandie.  e last specifi c drugs. G-therapeutics will per- round was led by Greatbatch, a strategic form a multi-centre clinical study to lead investor contributing a total of $5 obtain regulatory approval. million to the transaction. In February Beyond Aleva and G-therapeutics an 2016, Aleva and Greatbatch announced Ajeva collaborates with Greatbatch to entire new generation of medtech star- they had closed a strategic development, develop implants for deep brain stimulation. tups focusing on neurosciences is now supply and manufacturing agreement. In blooming in Western Switzerland. KB addition, Aleva will combine their inno- effi cient than currently available DBS Medical, for example, is developing a vative directional lead technology with approaches, while causing fewer side robotic assistance system for use by the proprietary neurostimulation plat- eff ects. Based on its proprietary mi- surgeons during spinal surgery, while form of Nuvectra, a recent spin-off from croDBS technology, Aleva has developed Sensars is creating neuroprosthetic Greatbatch. two novel brain stimulating products devices which allow amputees to regain Aleva Neurotherapeutics’ neurostimu- with diff erent functionalities.  e fi rst, feeling from missing limbs by reconnec- lation technologies and devices are called directSTIM, is a complete directio- ting artifi cial sensory feedback with the

designed to be more precise and more nal deep brain stimulation system for remaining nervous system. PHOTO: DR

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN MEDTECH | FEATURES 35

WHY U.S. BIOPHARMA COMPANY INCYTE CHOSE THE GREATER GENEVA BERN AREA

BY THOMAS BOHN IN THE HEART OF EUROPE, WESTERN SWITZERLAND OFFERS A HIGHLY SKILLED LIFE SCIENCES WORKFORCE AND EFFICIENT ACCESS TO KEY CLINICAL TRIAL EXPERTS AND INSTITUTIONS – ALL MAJOR DRIVERS BEHIND INCYTE’S DECISION TO ESTABLISH ITS EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS IN THE REGION.

estern Switzerland is one of explains Hervé Hoppenot, Incyte’s the best places in the world President and CEO. “ e presence of to do business and is world-class universities and of a strong particularly attractive to academic community, as well as of W foreign fi rms thanks to its international organisations, further add international and multilingual environ- to its appeal.” ment. It is home to several dynamic Today, the Geneva presence consists clusters, or networks of expertise, which of a team of approximately 20 medical are catalysts in the fi elds of life sciences, and clinical development professionals, IT, micro- and nanotechnology and and serves as the base for the company’s cleantech. New companies move to the European clinical development opera- region every year, becoming part of this tions. In May 2016, Incyte announced extraordinarily diverse business com- the acquisition of ARIAD’s European munity and gaining access to a powerful activities as part of its expansion strategy network of venture capitalists. into Europe. ARIAD is working on small- molecule medicines against various Strategic and practical services forms of chronic and acute leukemia, As the investment promotion agency of lung cancer and other diffi cult-to-treat Western Switzerland, the Greater orphan tumors. Geneva Bern area (GGBa) supports them Ranked 4th on Forbes magazine’s throughout the process, in close coope- maceutical company focused on the 2016 list of the World’s Most Innovative ration with the cantonal economic discovery, development and manufactu- Companies, Incyte is advancing an development agencies. From the evalua- ring of proprietary therapeutics, prima- innovative, rich and diverse portfolio of tion of potential sites to the establish- rily for oncology. Attracted by Western large and small molecules comprised of ment of contacts with public and private Switzerland’s fl ourishing life sciences 14 development candidates against 11 sector partners, from advice on the ecosystem and by the availability of a diff erent molecular targets.  e Geneva Swiss business environment to the highly qualifi ed workforce, Incyte facility will play a crucial role in suppor- incorporation of the company: the opened a European offi ce in Geneva in ting the company’s global drug develop- services provided by the GGBa are of October 2015. ment programs. strategic and practical nature, as well as confi dential and free of charge. Created Incyte’s innovative, in 2010 by the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, rich and diverse portfolio Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva and Valais, the “We chose the Greater Geneva Bern area GGBa has since advised and assisted because of its biotech heritage and the around 400 companies from around the international talent pool that is available. world in launching their activities in  e region is also centrally located in * THOMAS BOHN, General Director, Western Switzerland. Europe, and Geneva has direct fl ights to Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa),

PHOTO: DR Among them is Incyte, a U.S. biophar- many important locations globally”,

AUTUMN 2016 36 THE LARGE VIEW 37

FONGIT recently joined forces venture capitalists in each canton, providing a stimu- with EPFL Innovation Park to lating and closely-knit life sciences ecosystem to create the Campus Biotech foster innovation and growth. Innovation Park (CBIP). It Also supported by the cantons of Western complements the Campus Switzerland, BioAlps is a platform created to federate Biotech ecosystem and sup- all these multiple activities and create resources to ports life science entrepre- support and promote innovation, start-ups and SMEs neurs in transforming ideas, in the life science sector.  is repository of informa- research and discoveries into tion and economic promotion accelerates networ- sustainable successful compa- king, creation of opportunities and economic promo- nies with a fully integrated tion of the life science sector. Blue chip life science innovation process. companies from all over the world such as Becton  e Vaud Biopôle, based in Lausanne, will catalyse Dickinson, Celgene, CSL Behring, Covance, Ferring, oncology and immunotherapy research, grouping Incyte, Merck Serono, Santen, UCB and Valtronic are together the Ludwig Center for Cancer Research to located across the region. Cutting edge start-ups such A wide angle view of one of the host the wealth of talent and resources available, as as AC Immune, Obseva, Novimmune and Sophia well as a fully-fl edged GMP cell production site in Genetics are members of this tightly knit network. order to develop targeted therapeutic solutions.  e Furthermore, the region boasts related health care most vibrant life science hubs Agora Swiss Cancer Centre Lausanne (SCCL), due to competencies. Its academic institutions house open in 2017, will house oncology physicians, resear- National Centres of Competence in Research      , Western primarily to the stability of the political system, the chers and bioengineers and become another hub of (NCCRs), i.e. interdisciplinary teams working on Switzerland is the home of an intense and creative life reliability of the administration, the peaceful social expertise of the Health Valley, with the CHUV, outstanding, internationally visible research. NCCR science sector. Western Switzerland encompasses the climate, the great quality of life and top quality University of Lausanne, EPFL and ISREC, a leading Aff ective Sciences sits in Campus Biotech Geneva; the cantons of Berne, Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Geneva, education. research institute all within easy reach. Over 300 University of Geneva and EPFL host NCCR Chemical Valais and Jura. Cantonal hubs carry out multiple life  e Health Valley hosts state-of-the-art core life researchers will be onsite.  e Campus Biotech Biology; and NCCR Synapsy is housed in the EPFL and science activities and the diff erent cantonal authori- science facilities to carry out basic research, applied Geneva and the Biopôle Lausanne are thus destined to the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne.  e Swiss ties have invested in innovation parks and incubators research and product development. Among them, become world class neuro-bio engineering and biobank network for human and non-human pro- all over the region. With fl agship campuses such as Campus Biotech Geneva provides a one-stop shop oncology centres of competence ducts is spearheaded by the CHUV and has state-of- Campus Biotech Geneva and the Ecole Polytechnique which focuses on pure science and its translation into Several other large scale centres of competence the-art facilities in Western Switzerland. Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), and leading institutions practical outcomes, while the Biopôle in Vaud groups have been developed in diff erent cantons.  e Corporations such as Nestlé are expanding capabili- such as the Universities of Berne, Geneva and together immunology specialties of world class Switzerland Innovation Park Network West EPFL, ties into nutraceuticals and skin care.  e digital or Lausanne, all linked to teaching hospitals Inselspital, quality. coordinated by the cantons of Fribourg, Geneva, so-called e-health sector is growing fast with creative Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) and Vaud Located on the former site of biotechnology com- Neuchâtel, Valais and Vaud, and linked to Campus solutions for patients, governments, and healthcare University Hospital (CHUV) respectively, the region is pany Merck Serono, the Campus is a world class Biotech Geneva, unifi es skills and funds for innova- professionals being developed. All of this adds to the a hotbed of research, innovation and business. neuroscience centre of competence and home to the tion and transfer of advanced technologies.  e existing vibrant innovation ecosystem. Western Switzerland boasts prestigious for profi t and Human Brain Project, a European Commission Future University of Fribourg has launched its Swiss  e BioAlps Networking Day 2016 will take place start-up companies, where many world fi rsts have and Emerging Technologies Flagship.  e Human Integrative Center for Human Health (SICHH), with on November 2, 2016, at Campus Biotech Geneva on been developed, such as stents, brain surgery with a Brain Project aims to put in place a cutting-edge, exciting competencies in big data, genomics and the theme of Neurosciences. It will highlight the fact robot, and an implantable drug infusion system. It ICT-based scientifi c research infrastructure that will proteomics, and microscopy and materials.  e that Western Switzerland as a whole is poised for has, over the years, nurtured many Nobel prize allow scientifi c and industrial researchers to advance canton of Neuchâtel has developed Microcity to take further growth and success, building on its unique winners, and is the region of Switzerland which earns knowledge in the fi elds of neuroscience, computing advanced manufacturing forward and promote talent for innovation, collaboration and coordination. 25% of all export income, i.e. one of every four Swiss and brain-related medicine.  e project is a striking technology transfer by providing a multidisciplinary francs, from pharmaceutical, biotechnology and example of the unique Western Swiss capacity to environment.  e BioArk campus in Valais off ers an MR. PIERRE MAUDET, medical technology (medtech) products. create public-private partnerships, to gather together attractive infrastructure with clean rooms, shared State Councilor in charge of the Department of Security and  is dynamic region comprises the so-called resources and fi nd innovative pathways. Within its equipment facilities and plug Economy for the State of Geneva. “Health Valley”, a dense network of universities, 15’000m2, Campus Biotech Geneva houses over and play laboratories. Chairman of the Conference of research institutions, incubators, venture capitalists, 1,200 researchers and employees from the University In addition to all the re- “The Health Valley hosts Economic Departments of Western high tech laboratories, start-ups, small and medium of Geneva, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), search and development Switzerland size enterprises (SMEs) and multinational blue chip Geneva Haute Ecole de Paysage, d’Ingéniérie et activities, the region is the seat state-of-the-art core life companies, all collaborating to further the life d’Architecture (HEPIA), EPFL, Swiss Institute of of high tech business incuba- MR. PHILIPPE LEUBA sciences.  e Health Valley is amongst the most Bioinformatics (SIB) and the Wyss Centre for Bio- and tors, tech transfer specialists, science facilities.” Minister of Economy and Sport,

attractive regions in international rankings, due Neuro-Engineering. Geneva incubators Eclosion and PHOTO: DR as well as seed, angel and Canton of Vaud

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 38 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 39

ophthalmic conditions, sports-related wounds and even alopecia, as demonstra- ted through the clinical studies Regen Lab COSMOTEC: has carried out in recent years. For serious cartilage and bone defects, Regen Lab off ers a dedicated medical devices for bone marrow processing A NEW STRATEGY (RegenKit Extracell BMC and Glue), one of the most cutting-edge technologies for mesenchymal stem cell preparation in TO ENSURE SUCCESS the fi eld of orthopedic surgery. Candidates for plastic surgery proce- BY MARIE-CHRISTINE COMTE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF COSMOTEC SA COSMOTEC dures involving fat grafting such as small OFFERS A COMPLETE TAILOR-MADE SERVICE AND ASSISTS THE CUSTOMER mammary augmentation or facial STEP BY STEP THROUGH DEVELOPMENT FROM THE MARKETING BRIEF TO contouring will also benefi t from Regan FINISHED PRODUCT, TO BRING SUCCESS FOR ALL THE CUSTOMER’S PROJECTS Lab products. Next year we launch the RegenKit Extracell Adipocyte Kit, designed for the preparation of fat transplant to be combined with PRP, leading to an in- ones, in the laboratory which promote creased fat survival rate at the implanta- Swiss heritage by using natural ingre- Platelet-rich plasma tion site and thus improved long-term dients made in Switzerland. is a non-immunological volume correction outcomes. Cosmotec off er a wide range of cosme- and natural alternative tic cares and textures to suit diff erent to more invasive A new industrial platform markets.  e customers also benefi t from treatments. Finally, patients suff ering from a wide catalogue of cosmetics cares osteoarthritis can look forward to better adapted to meet their immediate needs. treatments. In recent years, Regen Lab has Ecofriendly and environmentally aware, ince 2003, Regen Lab has been concentrated its eff orts on the Cosmotec follows professional ethics by committed to developing unique development of Cellular Matrix-PRP-HA, providing high quality only and respec- expertise in the design and an innovative technology intended for the ting high quality standards.  e company manufacture of high quality preparation of platelet-rich plasma is certifi cated for Good Manufacturing REGEN LAB DRIVES S medical devices for use in bed- combined with a hyaluronic acid (HA) Practices as well as by leading organic side cell therapy procedures and the solution.  is unique technology, inspection and certifi cation body preparation of autologous platelet-rich protected by patents in the USA, Australia, ECOCERT. plasma (PRP) using the patient’s own Canada, the European Union, China and blood. Russia, has been successfully used in Cosmotec’s manufacture uses pure L’Ultime N˚25, a global THE GROWTH and natural mountain spring water. anti-aging cream Platelet-rich plasma has become a key patients to relieve pain and induce player in the fi eld of regenerative medi- cartilage regeneration. It also delivers For example, the company has recently cine. It is based on the natural healing promising results for skin hydration. ince 1988, Cosmotec is a cosme- developed L’Ultime N˚25, a global anti- properties of growth factors released by In the last fi ve years more than two tic company which off ers the aging cream.  is complete care with OF REGENERATIVE blood platelets, and its growing popularity million patients have been treated using private label “made in three high technology complex produces can be explained by the fact that it is a Regen Lab products and a further 10,000 Switzerland” and tailor-made immediate and long lasting anti-aging non-immunological and natural alterna- have benefi ted from bone marrow stem cell S services for many customers all action with proven results. tive to more invasive treatments. kits.  e company has now invested in a around the world. Cosmotec puts forward customers new GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) Due to its location in the foothills of the satisfaction by its know-how-to be. Its MEDICINE A leader in platelet-rich plasma facility at Mont-sur-Lausanne in the canton Alps, pure and natural mountain spring expertise in creating cosmetics products Regen Lab makes several CE-marked of Vaud, where the production is set to start water is supplied to the manufacture.  e ensures a personalised OEM service and products for medical disciplines where in 2017.  is new peak performance indus- research & development team is current- private label to bring success for all BY ANTOINE TURZI* A GLOBAL LEADER IN PRODUCTS FOR AUTOLOGOUS PRP is a treatment option. Patients can trial plant is expected to support the treat- ly developing a new range formulated customer projects. REGENERATIVE MEDICINE BASED ON FRESHLY PREPARED PLATELET RICH expect very good outcomes for the treat- ment of more than a million patients a year. with it. Over the years, the research & PLASMA FROM THE PATIENT’S OWN BLOOD, REGEN LAB IS OPENING A NEW ment of their chronic and surgical development team have developed * MARIE-CHRISTINE COMTE, INDUSTRIAL FACILITY TO TREAT MORE THAN A MILLION PATIENTS A YEAR. * ANTOINE TURZI CEO, Regen Lab chief executive officer of Cosmotec SA wounds, dry eye syndrome and other PHOTOS: DR thousands of formulas, including organic

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 40 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 41

biological principles and turn them into new biomedical tools. Research is highly EPFL LIFE SCIENCES: interdisciplinary, spanning computational THE BIOFACTORY COMPETENCE biology, bioimaging, micro/nano-enginee- ring and tissue engineering. •  e Swiss Institute for Experimental INTEGRATING BIOLOGY Cancer Research investigates fundamental CENTER: A FACTORY-SCHOOL biological systems related to the develop- ment of cancer. It partners with the found in industry, has allowed the BCC BY IAN MARISON* THE BIOFACTORY COMPETENCE CENTER IS A UNIQUE FACILITY Lausanne university hospital CHUV and the to become fi rst-in-class in this novel WITH TECHNOLOGY BASED IN FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND, WHICH PROVIDES THEORETICAL University of Lausanne in the innovative approach to training requirements. AND PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR THE BIOPHARMACEUTICALS INDUSTRY. Swiss Cancer Center Lausanne, which BY PROFESSOR GISOU VAN DER GOOT* brings together cancer researchers and Overcoming technical problems EPFL LIFE SCIENCES TRAINS oncologists to streamline the development he continuing growth of biophar- trained workforce is potentially a major In parallel the BCC has been involved in INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDENTS. of new cancer therapies. maceuticals industries world- factor in a company’s choice of a produc- helping companies to design new pro- ITS RESEARCH OUTPUT HAS wide, particularly relating to the tion site and its level of investment and cesses, overcome technical problems in ALLOWED SIGNIFICANT Bench-to-bedside production of biosimilars and development. As a result a new company, existing processes, develop and imple- TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS AND  e research output of EPFL Life Sciences biobetters, monoclonal antibo- the bioFactory Competence Center was ment new analytical methods, identify GIVEN BIRTH TO MANY STARTUPS. T has allowed signifi cant technology transfer dies and antibody drug conjugates and a started in April 2015 and became opera- causes of and overcome yield fl uctua- and given birth to multiple startups that wide range of novel recombinant proteins tional from January 2016 on the site of the tions and identify variations in raw PFL (Swiss Federal Institute of transform fundamental research into for personalised medicine, has resulted in blueFactory in Fribourg, providing for the materials to name a few of its activities. Technology Lausanne) is one of commercial applications. One such startup the need for a very well-educated work- needs of the biopharmaceuticals and  e ability to emulate a client produc- Switzerland’s two Federal Institutes is Mindmaze, which employs virtual and force. Indeed the choice of a location to related industries. tion process and carry out the imple- of Technology. Situated on the augmented reality, EEG scans and motion construct a new facility is often dictated Its aims are threefold: to provide mentation of new technologies and shores of Lake Geneva, EPFL capture to create a medical-grade “neural by the tax regime and the ability to hire a training, to supply services to the sector improvements, as well as coordinating E Microfluidic chip to manufacture hydrogel currently hosts more than 10,000 students, virtual-reality platform”. In 2016, workforce with the required knowledge. and to construct new pharmaceuticals tech transfer to and from a CMO, are representing over 120 diff erent nationalities, microbeads for stem cell expansion. Mindmaze raised more than $250 million in While schools and universities can production facilities based on a novel strong features of BCC activities. as well as 300 professors from all over the funding, and is considered a “unicorn provide basic education and specialised modular construction principle. In addition the modular construction world. Its appeal shows in its rankings: in MIT, Harvard Medical School, Imperial company”.Supported by EPFL’s expe- know-how, they cannot off er the practi- It delivered its fi rst training pro- systems which the BCC produce in a 2015, the Times Higher Education put EPFL College (London), NUS, NTU, etc. rienced workfl ow and infrastructure, cal hands-on training needed by today’s grammes to the Swiss biopharma in- wide range of materials can be custom- fi rst among “young” universities worldwide. EPFL Life Sciences consists of four startups often attract additional funding biopharmaceuticals industries. dustry in January 2016 and has already manufactured to clients’ specifi cations research institutes, supported by cutting- from industrial partners and other founda- Most recent graduates require exten- received acclaim for their quality.  e and be adapted to any building design. The first young university edge technology platforms. tions. A notable example is Innovative sive training by their employer before training, using trainers with many years’  is means it is possible to take In 2002, EPFL launched the School of Life • e Brain Mind Institute aims to unders- Medicines for Tuberculosis (iM4TB), an they can be allowed into the production experience in the biopharmaceuticals brownfi eld sites and modify them Sciences to integrate its longstanding tand the fundamental principles of brain EPFL spin-off dedicated to the development facility, as errors by new employees can industry, under GMP (good manufactu- simply by incorporating a series of expertise in engineering with biomedical function in health and disease by using of the new anti-tuberculosis drug PBTZ169. be extremely expensive to correct. ring practice) conditions typical of those modular pre-constructed containers research through education, research, and innovative experimental, technological, and  e drug has proven very effi cient in vitro which can provide for offi ces technology transfer. Over a decade later, the computational approaches. It also works against multi-drug resistant strains and Quality by design and GMP-compliant labora- 2016 Leiden Ranking named EPFL 1st in closely with EPFL’s Center of promises to shorten therapy timeframes for A further driving force is the tories and production sys- Biomedical and Health Sciences in Europe Neuroprosthetics and it birthed the Human the disease; in 2015, iM4TB received fi nan- increasing requirement of the tems. Indeed production (top 10% of fi eld publications).  e success Brain Project. cial support from the Gates foundation. US Federal Food and Drug equipment can be pre-instal- of the school is also refl ected by the nume- •  e Global Health Institute focuses on All together, these activities form a Administration (FDA) for led to provide for a turnkey rous awarded highly competitive research the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment framework that implements EPFL Life continuous professional biopharmaceuticals produc- grants, in particular from European of infectious diseases with global impact, Sciences “raison d’être” maximizing the training and the need to tion unit. Such systems gain Research Council (ERC). EPFL Life Sciences e.g. tuberculosis, and cholera pandemics synergy between biology and technology. implement Quality by Design from rapidity of construction trains a particular bread of interdisciplinary and is developing a novel interest in perso-  is strategy is boldly poised to advance principles (QbD) which - 12-18 months instead of 4-5 students. At the Bachelor level, students nalized health. basic knowledge in biology and medicine, enable employees to increase years - and considerably indeed undergo full training in engineering •  e Institute of Bioengineering, a joint and to tackle societal issues. their process understanding. reduced capital investment. and biology.  is leads to two Master degrees institute with the School of Engineering,  rough extensive market * PROFESSOR GISOU VAN DER GOOT Dean with students participating in international exploits the interface of life sciences with research in Switzerland and * IAN MARISON, CEO. bioFactory School of Life Sciences, Swiss Federal internships with partner industries and engineering, physics, chemistry, and com- internationally it became clear Competence Center Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) PHOTO: DR universities, including institutions such as puter science to discover fundamental PHOTO: LUTOLF’S LAB that the availability of a highly BioFactory constructs new pharmaceuticals production facilities.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 42 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 43

Celgene International Headquarters located in Boudry, Neuchatel.

Synergistic relationships For several years now, the Villar-sur- FOCUSING ON SUSTAINABLE Glâne site’s Contract Development and Manufacturing (CD&M) team has been off ering their large spectrum of services to external customers - from preliminary PARTNERSHIPS formulation to fully validated industrial manufacturing processes, including the BY JULIEN ROUSSET* THE VIFOR PHARMA SITE IN VILLARS-SUR-GLÂNE necessary certifi cations and technical ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF FRIBOURG PACKS AN IMPRESSIVE RANGE documentation for regulatory submis- OF PHARMACEUTICAL CAPABILITIES UNDER ONE ROOF. sions. To begin with, CD&M was seen as a way to optimise capacity usage. But experience has demonstrated that this is n the context of the Swiss pharma record in collaborative working and agile a mutually benefi cial arrangement – industry, Vifor Pharma is a medium- handling of complexity, with a diversifi ed more synergistic partnership than size player with large ambitions to portfolio of prescription and OTC pro- conventional customer-supplier become a global specialty pharma ducts. Altogether, production capability of relationship. I company; it already is a global leader the Vifor Pharma facilities network covers Working with Villars-sur-Glâne, in the treatment of iron defi ciency. As one solid, semi-solid and liquid formulations customers can access the wider world of of the company’s two manufacturing for oral, topical and rectal administration Vifor Pharma, a company that has a comes to looking globally for partner- facilities in Western Switzerland, Villars- and can also process biologicals. All this is well-earned reputation for punching ships to help achieve our mission”, sur-Glâne is the principal manufacturing supported at each location by on-site R&D above its weight in the areas of innova- CELGENE’S explains, Tuomo Pätsi, President EMEA. and conditioning site for the Swiss market for developing and testing new molecules tion, growth and speed to market. On the Celgene currently collaborates with and an internal supplier for a part of the and formulations as well as capability in other hand, working for external custo- approximatly 30 companies. company’s iron portfolio. It has a track up-scaling. mers has eff ectively expanded the site’s capabilities in a number of areas, notably 10 YEARS IN EUROPE International Headquarters handling hazardous products. It also in Switzerland justifi ed the time and eff ort it took to earn BY JOHANNA JUNOD* HEADQUARTERED IN SWITZERLAND FOR ITS EMEA  e company employs around 7,000 FDA approval. OPERATIONS, CELGENE INTERNATIONAL HAS ITS MANUFACTURING BASE people worldwide including 2,300 in the IN THE CANTON OF NEUCHATEL AND IS BUILDING A SECOND FACTORY. EMEA region.  e international Scaling the mountain - together Headquarters and a global manufacturing Knowing that it can be a very long haul to site are located in Boudry, Switzerland get a new drug to market, the CD&M team elgene is a multinational bio- the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. where more than 650 employees are see themselves as fellow alpinists, roped to pharmaceutical company Research continues into next-generation based.  e site produces all oral formula- their clients and working with them focused on the discovery, therapies in the company’s current disease tions of Celgene’s medications for hema- through the whole process to get to the top development and commerciali- areas of rare blood cancers, pancreatic, tological disorders and one new product of the ‘mountain’. It’s a relationship that C sation of innovative therapies breast and lung cancers, psoriasis and in immunology and infl ammation for the yields best results when it starts early in for unmet medical needs in cancer and psoriatic arthritis, as well as in other worldwide market.  e active ingredient the development process, designing-in other severe immune and infl ammatory conditions with signifi cant unmet needs. manufacturing site, with 20 employees, is clearly defi ned quality standards from the conditions. Celgene is one of the leaders More than 45 diseases are being studied in Zofi ngen, in the canton of Aargau. beginning. Vifor Pharma recognises that in Europe in developing therapies for rare at Celgene in addition to 18 rare conditions Celgene’s affi liate is based in Zurich with this kind of long-term, sustained partner- diseases. including acute myeloid leukemia, myelo- close to 50 employees serving Swiss ship is not for everyone. Current partners fi brosis, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, diff use physicians, customers and patients. are drawn from national and international Best possible treatments large B-cell lymphoma and chronic An additional manufacturing site is pharma companies, both large and small. Intensive research, development and lymphoid or Behçet’s leukemia.  ere are being built in Couvet, also in the canton But they all share a passion for getting a commercialisation of innovations in the also numerous clinical trials taking place of Neuchâtel, and will create 100 more Vifor Pharma’s new product to market as quickly and fi elds of chronic and rare diseases form at major medical centres using com- jobs when it becomes operational in expertise is also safely as possible to meet a, so far, unmet the basis of Celgene’s eff orts to off er pounds from Celgene. 2019. attractive to a patient need. patients the best possible treatments. More “We are highly focused on disease areas growing list of than 30% of revenues are reinvested in which have the potential to make a very *JOHANNA JUNOD, Associate Manager, contract customers. * JULIEN ROUSSET, Key Account Manager, research and development. More than signifi cant diff erence in improving Corporate Affairs Communications Contract Manufacturing Celgene International PHOTO: DR PHOTO: DR 50% of all global clinical trials come from patient lives. We are very active when it

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 44 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 45

T-shape handle equipped with a standard connection.

AKABE CUSTOMIZES INSTRUMENTS SINTETICA-BIOREN, A LEADER TO FIT THE SURGEON’S NEEDS IN INJECTABLE PRODUCTS

were his or her own FDA in 2011. Overall, Sintetica’s quality workplace, it engages in tackling poverty BY PHILIPPE FEHLBAUM* GREAT ARTISTS PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR PENCILS; BY OSCAR PANG* AN AFFILIATE OF fi ngers. BAAT will system is based on more than 300 stan- in the world and pays close attention to its SURGEONS LOOK AFTER THEIR INSTRUMENTS. AKABE PLACES MODULARITY, TICINO-BASED SINTETICA, THE drive all the regulatory Rod dard operating procedures. most important assets: its people. DESIGN AND INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT. MANUFACTURING SITE AT COUVET aspects related to the persuaders  is focus on patients as well as human IN THE CANTON OF NEUCHÂTEL medical certifi cation can be People-based excellence resources has proved very valuable not IS SPEARHEADING THE COMPANY’S uge progress has been made in certifi cation of new instruments. “We (ISO 13485, CE 95/42, customised to But according to group CEO Augusto only for product quality but also to drive INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION. recent decades developing better have to integrate the whole value chain FDA) to ensure timely fix screw. Mitidieri, quality procedures are not the innovation and conquer new markets and smarter implants, to custo- from development, production and delivery to the market. end of the story. “ e quality of a product with relatively limited resources. mize them to fi t every patient assembly to distribution including all the n 1987 Bioren started its operations by embodies the ability, desire, passion and On the innovation side, Mitidieri ex- H perfectly. Nowadays, hundreds of regulatory aspects required by the medical Innovation at the heart producing injectable pharmaceutical intelligence of those who produce it,” he plains: “ e inspiration for the company’s thousands of people have successful regulation to be eff ective in developing Developing smart implants is a products.  e following year it began explains. “If you work in a peaceful and strategy is a strong push toward one-day orthopaedic surgery each year to recover solutions for the surgeon”, Didier Guélat strong trend in orthopedics. In producing patented bags for infu- pleasant professional environment, the surgery and pain management with a from injuries or restore lost functions. explains. the future, orthopedic implants I sions. A facility was built in Couvet product that will emerge will be the best focus on cost containment. Sintetica is also While the patient lives with his will monitor how well they are faring with 20 employees - now there are 80. possible.”  is belief motivates the com- attentive to the development of rare and prosthesis, the surgeon lives with his Supporting surgical perfection in the body and measure how well bone Over the years its products have become ethical products, which often do not instruments: implants and instruments go BAAT and AKABE will focus on their attaches to them while also detecting widespread in Swiss hospitals, esta- interest multinational companies.” together. In comparison to the tremendous complementarities. While BAAT’s exper- problems such as infl ammation and blishing leadership in the fi eld of infusion progress made on the implants side, tise is in the development of specifi c infection. On the instrumentation side, bags. In 2004 it was acquired by Sintetica, 40 new products in five years however, little eff ort has been made to instruments, AKABE will concentrate on we are still in the Stone Age today and we based in Mendrisio in the canton of Ticino, With that philosophy, the company has optimize and customize instruments that developing, with surgeons, the optimal want to change this. New technologies forming a new company: Sintetica-Bioren. registered more than 40 new products in perfectly fi t the surgeon’s needs. toolbox for a given surgery and then off er tremendous opportunities to make Switzerland in the last fi ve years and is producing the toolbox with the best better and smarter instruments. A strategic move running more than 100 registration proce- A fruitful collaboration partners. Surgeons seek surgical perfec- As exemple, AKABE is working to Created in Chiasso in 1921, Sintetica is the dures worldwide. Among these products, When as a weathered surgical expert, I tion and we want to serve them with the bring to the market a new generation of oldest pharmaceutical company in Ticino, two are emblematic of the company’s met BAAT, a Netherlands-based company best adapted and most intuitive smart instruments integrating electronic manufacturing injectable drugs - analge- vision. Intrathecal baclofen is a drug for with more than twenty years’ experience instruments. systems to assist the surgeon by provi- sics, local anaesthetics and narcotics - for chronic spasticity therapy and a world fi rst in the development of orthopaedic im- We spend a lot of time with surgeons to ding real time information about bone hospital use.  e acquisition of Bioren was For CEO Augusto Mitidieri (center) the most because it is suitable for tropical climates plants and instruments, we realized we understand precise surgical gestures and quality and placement of screws. We a strategic move for the company, adding important asset is people. and resistant to adverse storage condi- could close that gap by joining our forces. our dream is to develop instruments believe this will make a breakthrough in an important production site together tions. Ampres is an anaesthetic of short With Didier Guélat, we founded AKABE in which he or she would perceive as if they increasing safety and the surgeon’s with its related distribution channels pany to continuously improve working duration, which, because it minimises the the techno park in confi dence during surgery. while at the same time strengthening its conditions and environment. duration of anaesthesia, reduces hospital Porrentruy, the heart of AKABE has started the expansion plans.  e combined produc- Consequently the predominant feature of costs and maximises patient comfort. Western Switzerland’s fi ne development of a dynamo- tion capacity has now reached 20 million the production site in Couvet is the passion Sintetica’s customers are currently precision mechanics in- metric screwdriver with glass ampoules in the futuristic factory and interest that employees show in their mainly hospitals in Switzerland. But in dustry. Both of us have electronic interface which opened in Mendrisio in 2011. e output of daily work, conscious of performing an order to pursue its expansion plans the fi fteen years of experience will provide to the surgeon the factory in Couvet is fi ve million infu- important mission for civil society.  is group is aiming at international custo- in developing and produ- information about the sion bags and 5.5 million glass vials. spirit is essential for the consistent achie- mers, either directly or through partner- cing orthopedic instru- torque applied to each Sintetica is a rapidly growing group and vement of Sintetica’s growth objectives. ships with distributors. Sintetica already ments and working closely s c rew. is now one of the leading Swiss pharma- Sintetica is a for-profi t company but owns three subsidiaries in Italy, the UK with surgeons. ceutical companies. Sintetica-Bioren has with a strong ethical orientation and it has and Germany. But Miditieri is looking With BAAT, we form a *PHILIPPE FEHLBAUM, proved a pillar of this expansion strategy begun to develop alternative methods for further afi eld. “A local partnership model team of 30 employees.  is Surgical Instrument Expert, thanks to its specialisation in manufactu- governance and accountability. It requires has been chosen for global expansion.” gives us substantial power co-founder of AKABE SA ring injectable products. Sintetica-Bioren’s that production processes do not pollute, it * OSCAR PANG, Site Director , Sintetica-Bioren

for the development and Akabe’s office within the technopark of Porrentruy. PHOTOS: DR PHOTO: DR quality control was approved by the US creates an atmosphere of serenity in the

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 46 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 47

The Institute of Life Technologies provides a wide range of services and consultancy.

diagnostic systems research group com- bines theory with practice in immune diagnostics, molecular and cellular dia- SIB: SWISS DATA SCIENCE FOR gnostics, instrumental analytics and bio-sensor development, as well as com- pound and phyto extract activity scree- ning.  e scientists work closely with their BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH, AND HEALTH colleagues at the Institute of Systems Engineering to focus on point-of-care with other health practitioners, SIB BY RON APPEL AND CHRISTINE DURINX* SINCE 1998, THE SIB SWISS INSTITUTE OF diagnosis at home, at the doctor’s offi ce or reached a national consensus on the BIOINFORMATICS HAS BEEN PROVIDING WORLD-CLASS DATA SCIENCE in pharmacies for immediate test results. diagnostic needs and expectations of TO THE LIFE SCIENCES, ON THE NATIONAL AND THE INTERNATIONAL LEVEL hospitals. Strong bonds were developed A one-stop contact point with Swiss hospitals with an initial focus All four research groups make use of the esides its core mission to pro- in data science related to personalized on oncology and hemato-oncology. Last expertise and modern infrastructure of the vide the life science community health. May, the fi rst diagnostic pipeline was analytical platform which encompasses with a state-of-the-art bioin- installed for the Clinical Pathology PARTNERSHIP FOR chemical, molecular, biological and formatics infrastructure, the SIB A unique organisation Department in the Geneva University micro-biological analysis.  e laboratories Bshares its expertise –storage, SIB’s structure is unique and depends on Hospital, and SIB will be collaborating are accredited in accordance with ISO analysis and dissemination of large an intercantonal and interinstitutional closely. 17025, while microbiology additionally biological datasets – with many research model of collaboration. SIB thus became SUCCESS AT THE ITV has Swissmedic accreditation. institutes and industrial partners. SIB a key player in the creation of ELIXIR – A bioinformatics reference centre As to education and training, the currently counts some 65 research and the European Life Science Infrastructure SIB’s activities are wide and varied.  e BY DR SERGIO SCHMID* THE INSTITUTE OF LIFE TECHNOLOGIES (ITV) AT HES-SO Institute of Life Technologies off ers a service groups, 150 resources, 19 institu- for Biological Information – and is today industry regularly calls on the Institute to VALAIS/WALLIS PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES AND CONSULTANCY practice-oriented bachelor’s course with tional members and 11 core facilities; its largest national node. ELIXIR is one of develop diagnostics tools. In 2013, one THAT FULFILL THE HIGHEST QUALITY REQUIREMENTS.I consolidation in food technology, biotech- over the years, it has created a true bioin- Europe’s three priority research infras- group wrote the algorithm of a non-inva- nology and analytical chemistry. Within formatics culture in Switzerland which, tructures whose mission is to implement sive prenatal test which detects chromo- the master of sciences HES-SO in life today, has the highest concentration of Europe’s life science data infrastructure. somal anomalies in foetal DNA taken t the Institute Life Technologies while the experts are active in virology, sciences, a specialisation in applied bioinformaticians in the world. SIB’s SIB is actively involved in the ELIXIR- from the mother’s blood.  e test pro- at HES-SO Valais/Wallis, clever peptide synthesis, peptide transporters, biosciences helps students to pave the way organisation and structure is a role model EXCELERATE project for the integration vides fast and safe results, and revolutio- minds are at work developing peptide conjugates, assay development, to a cleaner future with sustainable bio- in the world of data science and the of Europe’s bioinformatics resources, nized prenatal testing. SIB is also partne- genuine innovations to meet the recombinant technologies and technology, develop analytical tools for the Institute, as such, has been chosen by supporting all sectors of life science R&D. ring with Ariana Pharma to help develop A individual requirements of their bio-analytics. diagnostic industry and discover how to important instances as a support to their One of SIB’s key developments is its early detection tools for gastric cancer. demanding customers from the pharma- Researchers working in biotechnology manufacture drugs, acquire knowledge in own structure. Aware that the wealth of growing involvement in personalised In 2015 the Food and Agriculture ceuticals, biotechnology, medical dia- and sustainable chemistry dedicate the fi eld of genome analysis and discuss data produced by modern technologies health. In 2013, the Institute created a Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) gnostics, agri-food, cosmetics and che- themselves to biotechnological and cases of quality management and regula- and the growing self-awareness of pa- Clinical Bioinformatics Group to set appointed SIB as FAO Reference Centre mistry sectors. Some 78 competent colla- chemical innovation to address current tory aff airs. tients will change the way of considering bridges between data science and the for Bioinformatics. SIB collaborates on borators including 18 professors with challenges and work out sustainable  e Institute of Life Technologies is the medical data, SIB is also deeply involved medical community. During 2015, and the screening, monitoring and follow-up industry experience are working as an solutions for social, industrial and acade- one-stop contact point for industrial of zoonotic diseases by providing open- interdisciplinary team in applied research mic needs. Priority is given to bioprocess companies.  e team is experienced in access virus resources.  ese resources and development, creating added value of engineering, biomaterials, bio resources, publicly-funded projects or projects for provide information on the pathogens’ ences & me CHF 4.6 million (2015) a year.  e four (bio)analytics, biocatalysis, sustainable industrial clients and can open up access sci dic genomes, their epidemiology, evolution fe in research axes are clearly focused and energy and chemistry. to state support such as the CTI and the Li e and parenthood, and contribute to the Experimental designed to pool existing expertise and  e specifi c demands of the economy Commission for Technology and & clinical data Genes fi ght against dangerous viral infections in and genomes generate synergies. and society determine the programme of Innovation. Big data farm animals and wildlife, including Pharma Research Hospitals industry institutes As a unique example of its kind, the the food and natural products research  e Institute of Life Technologies is the & clinics Bioinformatics Proteins avian infl uenza and foot-and-mouth infrastructure and proteomes Data Data peptide and protein technologies (P2T) group.  e remit involves a broad spec- partner of choice for companies, especial- storage analysis disease.  is exciting development

programme focuses on the discovery and trum of expertise in food microbiology ly SMEs looking to achieve major success Bio- demonstrates the recognition of SIB’s statistics In silico data & knowledge optimisation of peptides and proteins for and food safety across the entire food with future-oriented innovations and production expertise beyond Switzerland’s border.

Systems Medicine therapeutic, diagnostic and food applica- chain, bioactive compounds and health as secure a strong foothold in the market. biology and health Comprehensive * RON APPEL (Executive Director), tions.  e industrial partners benefi t from well as processing of food and natural Smart data data interpretation * DR SERGIO SCHMID Head of Institute CHRISTINE DURINX (Associate Director) the development, characterisation and products. Structural Evolution of Life Technologies biology and phylogeny SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics PHOTO: DR production of peptides and proteins, In order to create more added value, the PHOTO: DENIS EMERY / PHOTO-GENIC.CH

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 48 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 49

Technicians and automated track with group of analyzers for Complete Blood Counts to analyse thousands samples per day.

Doubled testing capacity in Geneva In April 2016, Covance expanded its central laboratory, doubling its testing DEBIOPHARM GROUP: FROM capacity by increasing automation and improving workfl ow effi ciency to meet growing demand.  e expanded and renovated lab continues to bring solutions CANDIDATE DRUG TO PATIENTS to clients in such rapidly developing areas as pathology, genomics and companion A leader in sustained-release With Triptorelin and Oxaliplatin, BY THIERRY MAUVERNAY* THE GROUP diagnostics, helping pharmaceuticals technology Debiopharm’s two standard of care SPECIALISES IN DRUG companies bring innovative medicines to Debiopharm does not manufacture products in oncology, more than 1m DEVELOPMENT FROM EARLY patients faster and more effi ciently. drugs, except Triptorelin which is made patients have already been treated. STAGE TO REGISTRATION, Since its opening in 1992, the Geneva in its industrial development and pro- IMPROVING HEALTH MAINLY IN ONCOLOGY site has grown from 20 employees to more duction facility in Martigny in the Swiss Patients at the centre AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. than 650. Covance’s continued investment canton of Valais. We are a world leader in Every development we make is for the in the laboratory’s capabilities and local PLGA-based injectables, with expertise in benefi t of patients and their quality of life. AND IMPROVING LIVES R&D relationships demonstrates its ased in Switzerland and foun- R&D, chemical synthesis, formulation Last December, we launched the “Quality commitment to support and implement ded in 1979, Debiopharm Group improvement and hard-to-make phar- of patients’ life during their treatment in BY JEAN-MARC LEROUX* FROM ITS EUROPEAN HEADQUARTERS IN GENEVA, innovative technology - and its commit- is a family-run biopharmaceu- maceutical products. hospital” industry challenge that aims to COVANCE, THE DRUG DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS OF LABCORP, PROVIDES ment to the region, acknowledged by the ticals business active in drug Once a compound is in-licensed, stimulate innovation in the healthcare CRITICAL CENTRAL LAB SERVICES Chamber of Commerce and the Canton of B development, GMP manufactu- Debiopharm works on optimising the sector.  e award will support projects Geneva with the award of the Prix de ring of proprietary drugs and diagnostics. molecule’s properties and improving its dedicated to improving patients’ comfort l’Économie in 2014. At the heart of the drug development effi ciency. Triptorelin, which was origi- and quality of life. ovance, the drug development Covance helps companies make the process, the group in-licenses and deve- nally approved as a one-month treatment Targeted treatments are the future of business of LabCorp, the process of drug development more effi - * JEAN-MARC LEROUX General Manager and lops promising compounds such as small for prostate cancer, has been developed medicine. For this reason, Debiopharm Laboratory Corporation of cient by providing services that generate Chief Innovation Officer at Covance’s Central molecules or biologics, generally in in three sustained-release formulations, has been working on the development of a America, provides the pharma- high-quality and timely data to support Laboratory Europe (Meyrin/Geneva) early-stage development, in order to 1-, 3- and 6-month, reducing the new targeted antibiotic to tackle serious C ceuticals industry with unique new approvals and expand the use of transform them into valuable drugs for frequency of injections and improving staphylococcal-related infections (Debio perspectives and precision delivery existing therapies. Its value is evidenced the patients. Debiopharm also acquires patients’ quality of life. Today Triptorelin 1450) and has recently announced a phase through every stage in the development by its many relationships with small and assets and takes options on compounds. is available in more than 75 countries and II study evaluating project Debio 1143 in of a drug from molecule discovery to mid-sized biotech companies through to Its main therapeutic areas are oncology, can also benefi t children suff ering from ovarian cancer. We continue to look for commercialisation. multi-billion-dollar, long-term research infectious diseases and orphan drugs. central precocious puberty or women and develop tomorrow’s treatments in and development partnerships with world We screen between 600 and 800 suff ering from endometriosis. We keep oncology and infectious diseases. A platform towards FDA approvals leaders such as Lilly, Sanofi , Bayer, Takeda molecules each year, but only one or two improving our productivity and in It takes about 10-15 years to develop a new and Merck. In 2015, Covance collaborated are in-licensed. We have to be very September 2015 inaugurated our newly * THIERRY MAUVERNAY, Co-President medicine from the time it is discovered to on 87% of the 45 new drugs – and 100% of selective and stay focused on projects renovated production facility in Martigny. and Delegate of the Board, Debiopharm Group when it becomes available for treating those in oncology – approved by the US which can add signifi cant value. A scou- patients.  e average cost of researching Food and Drug Administration (FDA). ting team travels around the world from and developing a successful drug is esti- Covance’s Central Laboratory in Geneva congress to academia to fi nd the gems mated at $800 million to $1 billion.  is provides services for global clinical trials - we believe the world is our lab and that doesn’t include the cost of thousands of in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and strong and long-lasting partnerships with failures: for every 5,000-10,000 com- plays a key role in the company’s strategic the originators are key to our success. As pounds entering the research and deve- vision to improve health and improve a middleman, Debiopharm takes a lot of lopment (R&D) pipeline, only one will lives. Testing kits risks but always collaborates with the make it to market. Success requires im- are sent to multiple investigator sites, originators at every step in the develop- mense resources - the best scientifi c where patient samples (usually blood, ment process. We pay upfront fees and minds, highly sophisticated technology urine or tissue) are quickly collected, development milestones and share and complex project management. returned to the nearest central laboratory royalties on sales. If after evaluation a Ultimately, though, the development of and tested within 24 hours. Every mor- compound is not in-licensed, we may new, innovative therapies helps to im- ning, Covance in Geneva receives enough The automated line that allows Covance stay in touch with the researchers to prove the lives of millions of patients all samples for analysis to fi ll the equivalent to register and dispatch tens of thousands follow the evolution of their project and

over the world. of three-quarters of a passenger plane. samples per day. PHOTOS: DR PHOTO: DR give advice on its development.

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 50 BIOALPS 4 À 6 | COMPANY PROFILE

Femtosecond lasers are produced in Port in the canton of Bern.

A SCALPEL MADE OF LIGHT

second laser on the market. BY SANDRO PALUMBO* AT ZIEMER OPHTHALMIC SYSTEMS, SWISS-MADE  e drive to get rid of metal blades and HIGH TECHNOLOGY IS USING THE POWER OF PHOTONS FOR REFRACTIVE hooks used in conventional ophthalmic AND CATARACT SURGERY surgery continues. “Again, we were not the fi rst ones off ering femtosecond laser- rank Ziemer, CEO and President century when the fi rst femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery to the commu- of Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems in generation was brought to the market to nity but the ones focusing on an easy-to- Port, in the canton of Bern, has a compete with the microkeratomes, the integrate device in the operating theatre,” clear and concise vision when it time had come to realise the vision of the Ziemer says. “Benefi ting from the expe- comes to the future of ophthal- laser scalpel. “We were not the fi rst but rience gathered in the refractive world, mologyF and its sub-specialities, cataract we assessed this fi rst generation femtose- we were able to provide the same gentle and refractive surgery. Laser technologies cond laser very critically and had our and precise approach”. in eye surgery, femtosecond lasers, are own ideas,” says Ziemer. By the end of  e company founder also strongly just at the beginning of their life cycle and 2005, the vision became reality: Ziemer believes that the best surgical device their best days are yet to come. Why the and his team presented their fi rst femto- cannot maximise its value without a enthusiasm? As often in life, there is an second LDV laser for the refractive mar- suitable diagnostic tool. In the early years entrepreneurial story behind the vision. ket, engineered in Switzerland. of the company, Ziemer developed a Incorporating a novel method using a tailor-made diagnostic device able to A novel Swiss approach very low-energy emission combined visualise the anterior segment of the eye In the mid-1990s Ziemer was involved in with a high repetition rate, a very gentle which is required for precise surgical a company manufacturing blades for tissue separation was achieved.  is planning.  e device, named after the ophthalmic purposes. “I was wondering unique concept enabled Ziemer to design famous Italian scientist Galileo Galilei, why a surgery requiring such a high a compact and mobile laser, which was brought to the market soon after the degree of precision was still considered allowed it to be moved between operating femtosecond laser and continues to state-of-the-art when using a diamond rooms and hospitals thus minimising the evolve.  e next fundamental advance the shaped blade”, he says. After founding his fi nancial investment for the clinic. company envisages is to integrate captu- own company with just two employees red diagnostic data with the femtosecond back in 1998, he focused on a mechanical More than 3 million procedures laser and by doing so help the surgeon in microkeratome to provide a Swiss solu- Today, three generations of femtolasers the planning and decision making tion to the rapidly growing laser refrac- are in use on the global market, boasting process. tive surgery market. A motor-guided the completion of more than 3 million  e company’s eff orts were recognised blade was literally cutting a fl ap of tissue procedures. Over innovation cycles, the in 2011 when Ziemer was elected “Swiss on the cornea’s surface which was laid range of surgical applications possible on Entrepreneur of the Year”. Since its back so that an excimer laser could then the laser has signifi cantly grown which foundation, the company has grown to a remove a fi xed amount of tissue which gives surgeons the option to maximise size of almost 180 full-time equivalents as optimised the shape of the cornea for product usage in their clinical practice. In of 2016. perfect vision that did not require glasses. the autumn of 2014, Ziemer Ophthalmic It was the beginning of the well-known Systems stepped into the world of cataract * SANDRO PALUMBO, Vice President Marketing procedure called “Lasik”. surgery, unveiling the Femto LDV Z8 Ziemer Ophthalmic Sytems

 en, in the early years of the new which remains the most versatile femto- PHOTOS: DR

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN COMPANY PROFILE | BIOALPS 4 À 6 51

The Meyrin site is the global hub of the company’s infectious disease/OTX franchise.

A BIOTECH RESPONSE TO ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE bacterial origin from fermentation to BY JULIEN STORAI* PART OF THE GALENICA GROUP PHARMA BRANCH (VIFOR purifi cation, developing biological pro- PHARMA) SINCE 2009 , THE MANUFACTURING SITE OM PHARMA NEAR cesses from laboratory to industrial GENEVA HAS BECOME A GLOBAL HUB TO FIGHT INFECTIOUS DISEASES. production. Working with preclinical and clinical colleagues, R&D is also looking at he Vifor Pharma manufacturing kets like Russia and Brazil, these products analytical techniques to determine site in Meyrin is probably still have become established as the gold immuno-pharmacological data that better known locally as OM standards in treating these conditions. reinforce the body of scientifi c evidence Pharma, even though it has been e Meyrin biotech centre is unique in supporting the effi cacy and safety of the T part of the Galenica Group phar- being a full service facility covering the products with patients. Looking to the ma branch since 2009. e site, celebra- whole supply chain and supported by future, R&D focuses on the development ting 80 years of continuous production in on-site R&D, Quality and Medico- of immuno-modulators of both synthetic 2017, has benefi ted from almost 100 Marketing teams. e manufacturing area and biological origins as well as the million francs of investment over the past incorporates the two key units for the synthesis of new iron ligands. 10 years, making it today a state-of-the- production of live bacteria; fermentation e company currently has close to art, dedicated biotechnology centre and purifi cation. Covering a total surface 700 authorisations to market products in operating to highest GMP standards from of 6’200 square metres, the manufactu- around a hundred countries in Europe, API management to fi nished products. ring process is organised on four levels, Asia, Africa, Latin America and the proceeding from top to bottom with Middle East. Vifor Pharma focus and Full service facility separation of work fl ows, materials and capability in the area of immuno-modu- Within the context of Vifor Pharma, people. Recently, the site’s production lators promise to expand its business Meyrin is the global hub of the company’s capacity was increased with the installa- volume considerably in the coming years Infectious Disease / OTX franchise, tion of a large capacity lyophilisator, given the urgent need to combat antimi- notably manufacturing the immuno-mo- together with a new packaging line crobial resistance, defi ned by the World dulators Broncho-Vaxom and Uro- incorporating next generation serialisa- Health Organisation as, “an increasingly Vaxom. Both products are based on tion to ensure optimum traceability. serious threat to global public health”. bacterial lysates and have well proven advantages in treating recurrent infec- Global reach * JULIEN STORAI, Site Manager, Geneva tions respiratory and urinary tract infec- Also on site, the Quality and R&D teams Vifor Pharma c/o OM Pharma SA

PHOTOS: DR, DAVID MARECHAL tions. In many developing pharma mar- prepare and evaluate active ingredients of

AUTUMN 2016 52 BUSINESS GUIDE BUSINESS GUIDE 53

COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET A GUIDE TO LIFE SCIENCE COMPANIES Anecova SA Biotech VAUD http://www.anecova.com Anergis SA Biotech VAUD http://www.anergis.ch Angiotech Switzerland SA Medtech VAUD http://www.angiotech.com THE HEALTH VALLEY OF WESTERN SWITZERLAND HOSTS A LARGE NUMBER OF BIOTECH, MEDTECH AND PHARMA Anokion SA Biotech VAUD http://anokion.com COMPANIES. THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS GUIDE LISTS ALL THE MEMBER COMPANIES OF THE BIOALPS NETWORK. Anteis SA (Merz) Biotech GENEVE http://www.anteis.com Antion BioSciences SA Service GENEVE http://www.transcurebioservices.com/ Antlia SA Medtech VAUD http://www.ithetis.com Anton Meyer & Co AG Medtech BERNE http://www.meyco.ch COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET Apidel SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.apidel.com Applimed SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.applimed.ch 4cGroup Service GENEVE http://www.4cgroup.org Aproz Sources Minérales SA Nutrition VALAIS http://www.aproz.ch 4FO Venture Partners investisseur GENEVE Aptissen SA Medtech GENEVE http://aptissen.com A3 Angels investisseur VAUD http://www.a3angels.ch Argenius Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.argenius.com AB2 Bio SA Biotech VAUD http://www.ab2bio.com Ariad Pharmaceuticals SA (Incyte) Pharma VAUD http://www.ariad.com ABC Orthodontics SA Medtech JURA http://www.abc-orthodontics.ch ArisGen SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.arisgen.com Abionic SA Biotech VAUD http://www.abionic.com Arkimed SA Medtech VAUD https://arkimed.com/ ABL Analytics SA Service JURA http://www.abl-analytics.com Arnold Deppeler SA Medtech VAUD http://www.deppeler.ch ABMI SA Medtech VAUD http://www.abmintelligence.com Aromadis Sàrl Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.aromadis.ch ABMI SWITZERLAND SARL Service GENEVE http://www.abmi-groupe.com Arpasan Sàrl Nutrition GENEVE http://arpasan.com Abrema agence brevets et marques, Ganguillet Service VAUD http://www.abrema.com Arrayon Biotechnology SA Service NEUCHATEL http://www.arrayon.com AC Immune SA Biotech VAUD http://www.acimmune.com Artefact SA Medtech VAUD http://www.artefact-sa.ch/ Accuratus AG Medtech BERNE http://www.accuratus.ch ARTORG Center Recherche BERNE http://www.artorg.unibe.ch Accuray International Medtech VAUD http://fr.accuray.com Asceneuron SA Biotech VAUD http://www.asceneuron.com Acrostak International Distribution Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.acrostak.com ASQ Services SA Service VALAIS http://www.asq.ch Actigenomics SA Nutrition VAUD http://www.actigenomics.com ASSCO Engineering Monthey SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.assco.ch Actimed SA Medtech VAUD http://www.actimed.ch Assut Medical Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.assutsutures.com ACTIVEN SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.activen.ch/ Aston Life Sciences Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.astongroup.ch ADC Therapeutics SA Biotech VAUD http://www.adctherapeutics.com Atelier mécanique René de Siebenthal & Fils SA Medtech VAUD http://www.desiebenthal.ch Addex Pharma SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.addexpharma.com Atheris Laboratories SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.atheris.ch Adipogen SA Biotech VAUD http://www.adipogen.com/ Atracsys Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.atracsys.com Administrative Management Concept Service GENEVE http://www.amc-b.com Attolight Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.atto-light.com Adolphe Merkle Institute Recherche FRIBOURG http://am-institute.ch Augurix SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.augurix.com Aerni-Leuch AG Medtech BERNE http://www.aerni-leuch.ch Auxyme SA Service VALAIS http://www.auxyme.ch Agilent Technologies SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.agilent.com Avance Medical Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.avancemedical.com/ AIGSV, Association industrielle genevoise des Sciences de la vie Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.aigsv.ch Aximed SA Service JURA http://www.aximed.ch Aïmago SA Medtech VAUD http://www.aimago.com Axis biodental SA Medtech JURA http://www.axis-biodental.ch Akenco Pharma SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.akenco-pharma.com Ayanda Biosystems SA Biotech VAUD http://www.ayanda-biosys.com Akka Switzerland SA Service VAUD http://www.akka.eu AZAD Pharma AG Pharma BERNE http://www.azadpharma.com Alchilap SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.alchilab.ch Azuréa Technologies Bévilard SA Medtech BERNE http://www.azurea.ch Alchimie Forever Sàrl Pharma GENEVE http://www.alchimie-forever.com B Braun Medical SA Medtech VAUD http://www.bbraun.ch Alcimed Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.alcimed.com B.C. Development SA Medtech JURA Alcon Management SA Service GENEVE http://www.alcon.com Baccinex SA Pharma JURA http://www.baccinex.com Alcon Pharmaceuticals Ltd Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.alcon.com Bachem SA, succursale de Vionnaz Pharma VALAIS http://www.bachem.com Aleva Neurotherapeutics SA Medtech VAUD http://www.aleva-neuro.com Baldelli SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.baldelliautomation.com Alliance Service VAUD http://www.alliance-tt.ch Balluff AG Medtech BERNE http://www.hytech.ch Almedica AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.almedica.ch Bangerter Microtechnik AG Medtech BERNE http://www.ba-micro.com Alpaderm Sàrl Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.alpaderm.com Barman Robert, IVA Biotechnology Service VALAIS http://www.iva-biotechnology.ch Alpes Lasers SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.alpeslasers.com Battelle Memorial Institute Geneva Research Center Recherche GENEVE http://www.battelle.org Alpine Institute for Drug Discovery SA Pharma VAUD http://www.aidd.ch Bausch Advanced Technology Group Medtech JURA http://www.bausch-group.com Alpro Swiss Sàrl Nutrition VALAIS Baxalta BioScience Manufacturing Sàrl Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.baxter.ch ALRO Engineering SA Service VALAIS http://www.alro.ch Baxalta Recombinant Sàrl Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.baxter.ch Altacare Service VAUD http://www.altacare.com BC Consulting & Solutions Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.bcconsulting.eu.com Altran AG Service VAUD http://www.altran.ch be-Advanced Incubateur BERNE https://be-advanced.ch Alys Technologies SA Medtech VAUD http://www.alys-technologies.com Be-Ceuticals SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://be-ceuticals.com Amal Therapeutics SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.amaltherapeutics.com Beckman Coulter Eurocenter SA Biotech VAUD http://www.beckmancoulter.ch Amazentis SA Biotech VAUD http://www.amazentis.com/ Becton, Dickinson and Company Medtech VAUD http://www.bd.com American Orthodontics Switzerland Sàrl Medtech VALAIS http://www.americanortho.com Bellus Health (International) Limited Pharma VAUD http://www.bellushealth.com Amires Sàrl Service NEUCHATEL http://www.amires.eu Berdat Charles Medtech JURA http://www.charlesberdat.ch Amotec Technique de montage SA Medtech BERNE http://www.amotec.ch Bernafon AG Medtech BERNE http://www.bernafon.com Amsonic AG Medtech BERNE http://www.amsonic.ch Bern University of Applied Sciences Recherche BERNE https://www.bfh.ch Analytecon SA Pharma NEUCHATEL http://analytecon.com.au/ Berney Précision SA Medtech VAUD http://www.berney-precision.ch Andre Roland SA Service VAUD http://www.andreroland.com Biar SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.biar.com Andrew Alliance SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.andrewalliance.com Bien-Air Dental SA Medtech JURA http://www.bien-air.ch Andromis SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.andromis.ch Bien-Air Surgery SA Medtech JURA http://www.bien-air.ch

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 54 BUSINESS GUIDE BUSINESS GUIDE 55

COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET

Bio-Ur SA Biotech JURA http://www.bio-ur.ch Cendres + Métaux Holding SA Medtech BERNE http://www.cmsa.ch BioAlliance Pharma Switzerland SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.bioalliancepharma.com Centre de Recherche Nestlé Nutrition VAUD http://www.nestlenutrition.com BioAlps Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.bioalps.org Centredoc Service NEUCHATEL http://www.centredoc.ch BioArk SA Incubateur VALAIS http://www.bioark.ch Centre de Cautionnement et de Financement - Valais (CCF SA) investisseur VALAIS htp://www.ccf-valais.ch BioBooster Service VAUD Ceramaret SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.ceramaret.ch Biocartis SA Medtech VAUD http://www.biocartis.com Ceres Heilmittel AG Pharma VALAIS http://www.ceresheilmittel.ch BioCell Interface SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.biocell-interface.com CERN Recherche GENEVE https://home.cern Bioinnovation Solutions SA Biotech VAUD http://www.bioinnova.ch/ Chirmat Sàrl Service VALAIS http://www.chirmat.ch BioKaiZen Lab SA Biotech VALAIS Chord Therapeutics Sàrl Biotech GENEVE http://chordtherapeutics.com Biokema SA Biotech VAUD http://www.biokema.ch CHUV Recherche VAUD http://www.chuv.ch Biolabo Scientific Instruments SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.biolabo.ch CimArk SA Service VALAIS http://www.cimark.ch Biomedix SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.thegard.com CIMO Compagnie industrielle de Monthey SA Service VALAIS http://www.cimo.ch BioMérieux (Suisse) SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.biomerieux.com CITIEFFE INTERNATIONAL SA Medtech VAUD http://www.eqval.ch Biomet Orthopaedics Switzerland GmbH Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.biometeurope.com Claude Ammann Consulting Service VAUD http://www.claudeammann.com Bionactis International Group (BIG) SA Pharma VAUD http://www.bionactis.com/ Clinical Laboratory Automation SA Medtech JURA http://www.cla.ch BioPack Medical Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://biopackmedical.ch Clinique de Genolier Recherche VAUD http://www.genolier.net/fr/ Biophos SA Medtech VAUD http://www.biophos.com Clinopsis SA Service VAUD http://www.clinopsis.com Biopôle SA Incubateur VAUD http://biopole.ch Club Valaisan des Business Angels investisseur VALAIS http://www.bizangels.ch Biosafe SA Biotech VAUD http://www.biosafe.ch Codan Argus AG Medtech BERNE http://www.codanargus.com Biosensors Europe SA Medtech VAUD http://www.biosensorsintl.com Codman Neuro Sciences Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.codman.com Biosmart GmbH Medtech BERNE http://www.biosmart.ch Comet AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.comet.ch Biotech SA Medtech JURA Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI) Service BERNE https://www.kti.admin.ch Biotelligences Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.biotelligences.com Composites Busch SA Medtech JURA http://www.compositesbusch.ch Biowebspin SA Service VALAIS http://www.biowebspin.com Confrérie Clinique SA Medtech VAUD http://www.confrerie-clinique.com BioXPress Therapeutics SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.bioxpress.com Contelec AG Medtech BERNE http://www.contelec.ch Bista Consulting Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.bista-consulting.com CoPexis SA Service VAUD http://www.drdcpharma.com BlackRock Asset Management investisseur GENEVE https://www.blackrock.com Coraflo Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.smartcanula.com Blue Ocean Ventures investisseur GENEVE http://www.blueocean-ventures.com CordSavings SA Service VALAIS http://cordsavings.ch BM Laser, Broquet et Monin Medtech JURA Cosmotec SA Pharma VALAIS http://www.cosmotec.ch Boiron SA Pharma BERNE http://www.boiron.com Covance Central Laboratory Services SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.covance.com Bordier Affinity Products SA Biotech VAUD http://www.bordier.ch Covestro International SA Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.bayer.com Botta & Fils Medtech BERNE http://www.bottaweb.ch CPAutomation SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.cpautomation.ch BPR Swiss GmbH Medtech BERNE http://www.bpr-swiss.com Creaholic SA Medtech BERNE http://www.creaholic.com Bracco Suisse SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.bracco.com Crealine SA Pharma JURA http://www.crealine.ch Bredam SA Medtech VAUD http://www.bredam.ch Creapole SA Service JURA http://www.creapole.ch Bridgehead International Ltd Service VAUD http://www.bridgeheadinternational.com Createch AG Medtech BERNE http://www.createch.ch Brook Automation AG Medtech BERNE http://www.remp.com Crisalix SA Medtech VAUD http://www.crisalix.com BT Bienne Special Tools Sàrl Medtech BERNE http://www.btbienne.ch/ CSEM - Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique SA Recherche NEUCHATEL http://www.csem.ch Büchi Optik AG Medtech BERNE http://www.buechioptik.ch CSL Behring SA Pharma BERNE http://www.cslbehring.ch Bumotec SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.bumotec.ch/ Cukierman & Co. Life Sciences investisseur VAUD http://www.cukiermanlifesciences.com Business & Decision (Suisse) SA Service GENEVE http://www.businessdecision-lifesciences.com DAC-Ortho SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.orthodeal.com Businesssupport Service VALAIS http://businesssupport.ch Dassym SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.dassym.com BV Holding AG investisseur BERNE http://www.bvgroup.ch Data Mining Int Inc Service GENEVE http://www.datamining-international.com BVB consulting Service VAUD DBS System Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://dbs-system.ch/ CABI Bioscience Swiss Center Recherche JURA http://www.cabi.org Debiopharm Diagnostics SA Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.debiopharm.com Calciscon AG Biotech BERNE http://www.calcisco.com Debiopharm Intl. SA Pharma VAUD http://www.debiopharm.com Câlinesse Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.calinesse.com Debiopharm Investment SA investisseur VAUD http://www.debiopharm.com Calypso Biotech SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.calypsobiotech.com Debiopharm Research & Manufacturing SA Pharma VALAIS http://www.debiopharm.com Calypte Biomedical Corporation Medtech GENEVE http://www.calypte.com Debiopharm SA Pharma VAUD www.debiopharm.com Campus Biotech Incubateur GENEVE http://www.campusbiotech.ch/ Debiotech SA Biotech VAUD http://www.debiotech.ch Campus Biotech Innovation Park Incubateur GENEVE http://www.campusbiotech.ch/ Décovi SA Medtech JURA http://www.decovi.ch Capesal SA Medtech VAUD http://www.capesal.ch Deerfield Institute for Healthcare Research Sàrl Recherche VAUD http://www.deerfield.com/ Capital Risque Fribourg SA investisseur FRIBOURG http://www.capitalrisque-fr.ch Degonda-Rehab SA Medtech VAUD http://www.degonda.ch Capital Transmission SA investisseur GENEVE www.capitaltransmission.ch Degonda-Rehab SA Medtech BERNE http://www.degonda.ch Capsant Neurotechnologies SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.capsant.com Deloa SA Medtech JURA http://www.borruat.ch Carbagas AG Service BERNE http://www.carbagas.ch Dentsply IH SA Medtech VAUD http://www.dentsplyimplants.com/ Carbogen Amcis SA Service VALAIS http://www.carbogen-amcis.com DePuy Motion Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.depuy.com/ Cardinal Health Switzerland Sàrl Pharma VAUD http://www.cardinal.com/europe DermoSafe SA Medtech VAUD http://www.dermosafe.com/ CareFusion Switzerland 317 Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.carefusion.com Detech SA Medtech JURA http://www.detech.ch Carestream Health Suisse SA Medtech VAUD http://www.carestreamhealth.com DFB Pharmaceuticals Inc. Pharma VAUD http://www.dfb.com CAScination AG Medtech BERNE http://www.cascination.com Diacosa AG Pharma BERNE http://www.diacosa.ch CCV (Centre Chimie Vouvry) Sàrl Service VALAIS http://www.ccv-chimie.ch Diagnoplex Pharma VAUD http://www.diagnoplex.com Celgene International Sàrl Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.celgene.com DiagnoSwiss SA Pharma VALAIS http://www.diagnoswiss.com CELLnTEC Advanced Cell Systems AG Medtech BERNE http://www.cellntec.com Diamed GmbH/Bio-Rad Laboratories AG Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.diamed.ch/

TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN AUTUMN 2016 56 BUSINESS GUIDE BUSINESS GUIDE 57

COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET COMPANY NAME MAIN SECTOR CANTON INTERNET

Diepharmex SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.audispray.com FME AG Medtech BERNE http://www.fme-ag.com Digmesa Polyform AG Medtech BERNE http://www.polyform.ch Fondation «Clos Brochet» Incubateur NEUCHATEL Dineras International SA Service GENEVE Fondation Artères Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.arteres.org/ Distal Motion SA Medtech VAUD www.distalmotion.com Fondation Eclosion Incubateur GENEVE http://www.eclosion.ch DJO Global Switzerland Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.djoglobal.eu/ Fondation EssentialMed Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.essentialmed.org DM2TC Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.dm2tc.ch Fondation Genevoise pour l’Innovation Technologique FONGIT Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.fongit.ch Dompé International SA Pharma VAUD http://www.dompe.com Fondation Genevoise pour la Formation et la Recherche Médicale Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.gfmer.ch Dorix SA Medtech BERNE http://www.dorix.ch/ Fondation H. Dudley Wright Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.hdwright.org Dorphan SA Pharma VAUD http://www.dorphan.com Fondation IM4TB Fondation/Association VAUD http://im4tb.org Dr E Gräub AG Pharma BERNE http://www.graeub.com Fondation d’Impulsion économique et technologique (FITEC) investisseur JURA http://www.fitec.ch Dräger Medical Suisse SA Medtech VAUD http://www.draeger.com Fondation ISREC Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.isrec.ch Drug Design Tech SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.drugdesigntech.com Fondation Jeantet Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.jeantet.ch Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi) Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.dndi.org Fondation Leenaards Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.leenards.ch DuPont de Nemours Holding SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.dupont.com Fondation pour l’Innovation Technologique (FIT) Fondation/Association VAUD www.fondation-fit.ch Dynamics Group SA Service GENEVE http://www.dynamicsgroup.ch Fondation The Ark Fondation/Association VALAIS http://www.theark.ch Dynatec SA Medtech VAUD http://www.dynatec.ch Fonds de soutien à l’innovation du canton de Fribourg Investisseur FRIBOURG http://www.promfr.ch Eclosion2 SA investisseur GENEVE http://www.eclosion.ch Fors AG Medtech BERNE http://www.fors.ch Ecole d’Ingénieurs de Changins Recherche VAUD http://www.eichangins.ch Forteq Nidau AG Medtech BERNE http://www.forteq-group.com/ Ecosafe SA Medtech VAUD http://www.ecosafesa.com Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.finddiagnostics.org Edel-for-Life SA Medtech VAUD http://www.edeltherapeutics.com Frimorfo SA Service FRIBOURG http://www.frimorfo.com Edwards Lifesciences SA Medtech VAUD http://www.edwards.com Fritz Gyger AG Medtech BERNE http://www.fgyger.ch Egatec SA Medtech BERNE http://www.egatec.dk/ FriUp Service FRIBOURG http://www.friup.ch Elanix Technologies SA Biotech VAUD http://www.elanix.ch/ FSC - Fondation Suisse pour les Cyberthèses Medtech VALAIS http://www.fsc-sfc.org Electro Medical Systems SA Medtech VAUD http://www.ems-company.com Future Health Biobank SA Service FRIBOURG http://www.futurehealthbiobank.ch Electro Müller AG Medtech BERNE http://www.electro-mueller.ch/de/ Future Health Cell Bank SA Service GENEVE http://www.futurehealth.co.uk Electromag SA Medtech VAUD http://www.electromag.ch G-Therapeutics Biotech VAUD http://gtherapeutics.com/ Eli Lilly (Suisse) SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.lilly.ch Gait Up Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.gaitup.com/ encreTpixel Service VAUD http://www.encretpixel.com Galderma Pharma SA Pharma VAUD http://www.galderma.ch Endeavour Vision SA investisseur GENEVE http://www.endeavourvision.com Galenica AG Pharma BERNE http://www.galenica.com Engqvist Consulting Service VAUD http://www.engqvistconsulting.com Galexis AG Service BERNE http://www.e-galexis.com EOC Partners investisseur VAUD http://www.eocp.com GAP Engineering SA Service VALAIS http://www.gap-engineering.ch EP Solutions SA Medtech VAUD http://ep-solutions.ch GAVI Alliance Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.gavialliance.org EPFL Recherche VAUD http://www.epfl.ch Gene Predictis SA Service VAUD http://www.genepredictis.com EPFL Fribourg Recherche FRIBOURG http://fribourg.epfl.ch/ Gene Signal International SA Biotech VAUD http://www.genesignal.com EPFL Neuchatel Recherche NEUCHATEL http://microcity.epfl.ch GeneBio - Geneva Bioinformatics SA Service GENEVE http://www.genebio.com EPFL Valais Wallis Recherche VALAIS http://valais.epfl.ch GeNeuro SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.geneuro.com EPFL Innovation Park Incubateur VAUD http://www.parc-scientifique.ch Geneva Biotech Center SA Service GENEVE http://www.genevabiotechcenter.com Epithelix Sàrl Biotech GENEVE http://www.epithelix.com Geneva Health Forum Fondation/Association GENEVE http://ghf.globalhealthforum.net ERAS Suisse SA Service VALAIS http://www.eras.fr Genevensis Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.genevensis.com Ergomed Virtuoso Sàrl Service GENEVE Genge & Thoma AG Medtech BERNE http://www.gengethoma.com Espace Création Renens Incubateur VAUD http://www.republic-of-innovation.org Genilem Service GENEVE http://www.genilem.ch Espace Création Sion Incubateur VALAIS http://www.espacec.ch GeniuSoft Sàrl Service FRIBOURG http://www.geniusoft.ch EspeRare Foundation Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.esperare.org GenKyoTex SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.genkyotex.com Estoppey-Addor SA Medtech BERNE http://www.estoppey-addor.ch Genohm SA Medtech VAUD http://www.genohm.com/ Estoppey-Reber AG Medtech BERNE http://www.estoppey.ch Genomic Health International Sàrl Biotech GENEVE http://www.genomichealth.com Etameca SA Medtech BERNE http://www.etameca.ch Gersteltec Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.gersteltec.ch Ethicon Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.ethiconinc.com Gevaltec Sàrl Medtech VALAIS http://www.revaltec.fr/ Ethimedix SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.ethimedix.com GF Machining Solutions SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.gfms.com Euro-Private Equity SA investisseur GENEVE http://euro-pe.com GGBA - La GREATER GENEVA BERNE area Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.ggba-switzerland.ch Eurosearch Service BERNE https://www.euresearch.ch Gibaud (Suisse) SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.gibaud.com Exabone Gmbh Medtech VAUD http://www.exabone.com Ginko Ventures investisseur GENEVE http://www.ginkopartners.com ExcellGene SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.excellgene.com Givaudan SA Cosmétique GENEVE www.givaudan.com ExCellness Biotech SA Medtech VAUD http://www.excellness.com GlaxoSmithKline AG Pharma BERNE http://www.glaxosmithkline.ch EY (Ernst & Young) Service GENEVE http://www.ey.com Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.glenmarkpharma.com Fabrinal SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.fabrinal.com GMP SA Medtech VAUD http://www.gmp.ch Fasmed Fondation/Association BERNE http://www.fasmed.ch GMT Fine Chemicals SA Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.gmtchemicals.com Fasteris SA Service GENEVE http://www.fasteris.com Gomina AG Medtech VALAIS http://www.gomina.ch Ferring International Center SA Pharma VAUD http://www.ferring.com Gribi AG Medtech BERNE http://www.gribi.ch FIPA (Fonds Inartis de pré-amorçage) investisseur VALAIS Groupe Genitec Holding SA Service JURA http://www.genitec.net Firmenich SA Service GENEVE http://www.firmenich.com Groupe PP Holding SA investisseur GENEVE http://www.groupe-pp.ch Fischer Connectors SA Medtech VAUD http://www.fischerconnectors.ch Gsell Medical Plastics AG Medtech BERNE http://www.gsell.ch/ Fischer Söhne AG Service BERNE http://www.fischersoehne.ch/ gyMetrcis SA Medtech VAUD http://www.gymetrics.com FKG Dentaire SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.fkg.ch H. Hilderbrand Cie & SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.hilderbrand.ch Fluid Automation Systems SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.fas.ch Haag-Streit Holding AG Medtech BERNE http://www.haag-streit.com

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Haemonetics SA Medtech VAUD http://www.haemonetics.com Instrumat AG Medtech VAUD http://www.instrumat.ch Hanco Schleiftechnik AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.hanco.ch Insys Industriesysteme AG Medtech BERNE http://www.insys.ch/fr/ Häni & Co. AG, Arch Medtech BERNE http://www.hanitec.ch/medizin-technik/ Integra Lifesciences Services SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.integralife.com Harald Nordin SA Medtech VAUD http://www.nordin-dental.com Intercosmetica Neuchâtel SA Cosmétique NEUCHATEL http://www.intercosmetica.ch Harting AG Medtech BERNE http://www.harting-mitronics.ch Interdelta SA Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.interdelta.ch Haslab GmbH Medtech BERNE http://www.haslab.ch Interdigit SA Service VAUD http://www.interdigit.com Health Systems and Technology Service GENEVE http://www.hst-consulting.ch Interlabor Belp AG Service BERNE http://www.interlabor.ch Heig-vd Recherche VAUD http://www.hev.ch InterMedService Sàrl Service JURA http://www.intermedservice.org/about.php Helbling Technik Bern AG Service BERNE http://www.helbling.ch Intersteri AG Service BERNE http://www.intersteri.ch Helvemed SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.helvemed.com Intrace Medical SA Service VAUD http://www.intrace-medical.com Helvetica Health Care Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.helveticahealthcare.com Intrachem Bio SA Service GENEVE http://www.intrachembio.com HemaCore SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.hemacore.com/en/ Intuitive Surgical Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.intuitivesurgical.com Henry Schein Medical AG Medtech BERNE http://www.heiland.ch Invacare International Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.invacare.eu.com HEPIA Recherche GENEVE http://www.hesge.ch Ionight AG Service BERNE http://www.ionight.com Heraeus Materials SA Medtech VAUD http://www.heraeus-medicalcomponents.com Ipstudies Sàrl Service FRIBOURG http://www.ipstudies.ch HES-SO Fribourg Recherche FRIBOURG http://www.hefr.ch ISS AG, Integrated Scientific Services Service BERNE http://www.iss-ag.ch HES-SO Genève Recherche GENEVE https://www.hesge.ch ITV - Institut Technologies du vivant HES-SO Valais Wallis Service VALAIS http://itv.hevs.ch/ HES-SO Valais-Wallis Recherche VALAIS http://www.hevs.ch Ivers-Lee AG Service BERNE http://www.ilmedtec.ch Heska SA Biotech FRIBOURG http://www.heska.com Ixxeo Healthcare SA Service VAUD http://www.ixxeo.com Highpoint Solutions Service GENEVE www.highpointsolutions.com Jacques Allemann SA Medtech BERNE http://www.jacques-allemann.ch Hilfsmittelstelle HMS Bern AG Medtech BERNE http://www.hilfsmittelstelle.ch JAG Jakob AG Medtech BERNE http://www.jag.ch HL Technology SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.hl-technology.ch JAG Jakob AG Medtech JURA http://www.jag.ch HMT Microelectronic AG Medtech BERNE http://www.hmt.ch Jalon SA Service VAUD http://www.clinovo.com/ Hock’n Roll AG Medtech BERNE http://www.hocknroll.ch Janssen Vaccines AG Pharma BERNE http://www.janssen.com Hoffmann Neopac AG Medtech BERNE http://www.hoffmannneopac.ch Jardin Cosmetik Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.jardincosmetik.ch Hologic Europe Middle East and Africa SA Medtech VAUD http://www.hologic.com Jet Medical SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.jetmedical.net Homeolab SA Pharma VALAIS http://www.pharmacievouilloz.ch JetSolutions SA (ILC Dover) Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.jetsolutions.ch Hôpital Jules Gonin Recherche VAUD http://www.ophtalmique.ch Jinfo SA Medtech JURA http://www.jinfo.ch Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG) Recherche GENEVE http://www.hug-ge.ch/ Juratec SA Service JURA http://www.juratec.ch Hospiveda Sàrl Medtech VAUD Katzarov SA Service GENEVE http://www.katzarov.com Hrand Djevahirdjian SA (Djeva) Medtech VALAIS http://www.djeva.com KB Medical SA Medtech VAUD http://www.kbmedical.com Hucovision SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.hucovision.com Kemopharm SA Service GENEVE Human Brain Project Recherche GENEVE https://www.humanbrainproject.eu Kessler Prévoyance SA Service VAUD http://www.kessler.ch HumanVet Sàrl Pharma VAUD http://www.humanvet.com/ Kessler SA Service BERNE http://www.kessler.ch Hygie-Tech SA Medtech VAUD http://www.hygie-tech.ch Kessler SA Service GENEVE http://www.kessler.ch I-Dent Innovation For Dentistry SA Medtech VAUD http://www.i-dent-dental.com KeySep Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.keysep.com ID Quantique SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.idquantique.com Komax Systems LCF SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.komax.ch Idexx Switzerland AG Service BERNE http://www.idexx.com Kuhn und Bieri AG Medtech BERNE http://www.kuhnbieri.ch Idiap Research Institute Recherche VALAIS https://www.idiap.ch Kyburz & Cie SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.kyburz-cie.ch IE Industrial Engineering Genève SA Service GENEVE http://www.ie-group.com Kyowa Kirin Sàrl Pharma GENEVE www.kyowa-kirin.com IFPMA Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.ifpma.org La Colline Cellular Research Laboratories SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.lacolline-skincare.com iForE investisseur GENEVE LA MANUFACTURE, ATELIERS PROTEGES, fondation du Dr. A. Rollier Medtech VAUD http://www.lamanufacture.ch IHMA Europe Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.ihmainc.com Laboratoire Dr. Bregnard SA Medtech JURA IIG - Institut Informatique de Gestion - HES-SO Valais Service VALAIS http://iig.hevs.ch/ Laboratoire Gibro SA Cosmétique NEUCHATEL http://www.laboratoiregibro.com/ IMG SA - Instruments, Industrial & Medical Group Medtech FRIBOURG Laboratoire Pauline Burgener Switzerland SA Cosmétique VAUD http://drburgener.com/ ILP Lüthi + Partner AG Service BERNE http://www.ilp-switzerland.ch Laboratoires Anesa SA Service VALAIS ILS Services Schweiz SA Service GENEVE Laboratoires Bailleul Pharma GENEVE www.bailleul.com Inartis Fondation/Association VALAIS http://www.inartis.ch Laboratoires Biologiques Arval SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.arvalcosmetics.com Inartis Network Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.inartis-network.ch Laboratoires Plan SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.laboratoiresplan.com Include Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.includeconsulting.com Laborial (Suisse) SA Service VAUD http://www.laborial.com Incyte Europe Sàrl Pharma GENEVE www.incyte.com Labseed SàRL Medtech VAUD http://www.labseed.com Index Ventures investisseur GENEVE http://www.indexventures.com Lacpure SA Medtech VAUD Indigo Consulting Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.revaltec.fr/ Lamineries Mattey SA Medtech BERNE http://www.matthey.ch Inflamalps SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.inflamalps.com Lascco SA Incubateur GENEVE http://www.lascco.com Infomed SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.infomedsa.ch Laser-Automation Gekatronic SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.laser-automation.com InnoPeritus Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.innoperitus.com Laserix Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.tecvision.ch/laserix/ Innovation Lab Fribourg Service FRIBOURG http://innolabfribourg.ch Lasermed SA Medtech BERNE http://www.lasermed.ch/fr/ Innovative Solutions Service VAUD http://www.innovativesolutions.ch Lastec AG Medtech BERNE http://www.lastec.ch Innovaud Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.innovaud.ch Laubscher Präzision AG Medtech BERNE http://www.burde-metall.at/glc.htm Inomed Technology SA Medtech JURA http://www.inomed.ch Lauener + Cie SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.lauener.ch Inovorto Medical SA Medtech NEUCHATEL Lausanne Région Service VAUD http://www.lausanneregion.ch/xml_1/internet/fr/intro. Inselspital Universitätsspital Bern Recherche BERNE http://www.insel.ch cfm Institut de Recherche en Ophtalmologie (IRO) Recherche VALAIS http://www.iro.vsnet.ch Legacy HealthCare SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.legacyhealthcare.ch/ Institut de Recherche en Réadaptation - Réinsertion Recherche VALAIS http://www.irr-valais.ch Leitner SA Medtech BERNE http://www.leitner-ag.ch

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Leman Cardiovascular SA Medtech VAUD http://www.lemancardiovascular.com Medipol SA Biotech VAUD http://www.medipol.ch Leman Consulting SA Service VAUD http://www.lemanconsulting.ch Medirio SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.medirio.com Leman Micro Devices SA Medtech VAUD http://www.leman-micro.com MediSeeds Sàrl Nutrition VALAIS http://www.mediseeds.ch Lemo SA Medtech VAUD http://www.lemo.com Medistri SA Service FRIBOURG http://www.medistri.com/ Lemur-Scouting Sàrl Service JURA http://www.lemur-scouting.ch Meditec Consulting GmbH Service BERNE http://www.meditec-consulting.ch Les Simples Nutrition VALAIS http://www.lessimples.ch Medicxi Ventures investisseur GENEVE http://www.medicxi.com Link Implants AG Medtech BERNE http://www.link-implants.ch Medlight SA Medtech VAUD http://www.medlight.com Linkage Biosciences Sàrl Biotech GENEVE www.linkagebio.com/ Medos International Sàrl Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.jnj.com Locatis SA Medtech JURA http://www.locatis-electronics.ch MedPlast SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.medplast.ch Logival SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.logival.ch Medtronic Biopharma Sàrl Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.medtronic.ch Lonza AG Pharma VALAIS http://www.lonza.com Medtronic Europe Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.medtronic.ch Loroch CTLS Service VAUD http://www.loroch.ch Meister & Cie AG Hasle-Rüegsau Medtech BERNE http://www.meister-ag.ch Louis Bélet SA Medtech JURA http://www.beletsa.ch Melet Schloesing Pharmaceuticals SA Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.mslabos.com/ LPS Services SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.lps-services.ch Memedge Consulting Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.memedge-consulting.ch LSC consulting Service GENEVE http://www.lsc-consulting.fr/ Menicon Co., Ltd Pharma GENEVE www.menicon.com Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Recherche VAUD http://www.ludwigcancerresearch.org Mensys Group SA Service VAUD http://www.mensys-group.com Lugaia AG Service VALAIS http://www.lugaia.ch Méoc SA Service VALAIS http://www.meoc.ch Lunaphore Technologies SA Medtech VAUD http://www.lunaphore.ch Merck Group Pharma VAUD www.merckgroup.com Lyncee Tec SA Medtech VAUD http://www.lynceetec.com Merck Serono SA Pharma VAUD http://www.merckserono.com Madep SA Service NEUCHATEL http://www.madep-sa.com Merck Sharp & Dohme (Switzerland) GmbH Pharma VALAIS http://www.merck.com MaestroHeart SA Medtech GENEVE Meridian AG Medtech BERNE http://www.meridian.ch Mandatec AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mandatec.ch Métafil-Lagirolle SA Medtech JURA http://www.metafil-lagirolle.ch Mane SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.mane.com Meyer Sintermetall AG Medtech BERNE http://www.sintermetall.ch Manigley SA Medtech BERNE http://www.manigley.ch MH LOG Martin Hochuli Service BERNE Manufactures D’Outils Dumont SA Medtech JURA http://www.dumonttools.com Michael Page Healthcare & Life science SA Service GENEVE http://www.michaelpage.ch Manuplast SA Medtech VAUD http://www.manuplast.ch Micro Precision Systems AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mpsag.com Mapag Maschinen AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mapag.ch MicroLeman SàRL Medtech GENEVE http://www.microleman.com MAPE Pharmaceutical and Industrial Engineering SA Service JURA http://www.groupe-mape.com Microscan Service SA Service VAUD http://www.microscan.ch Marcel Blanc et Cie SA Medtech VAUD http://www.marcel-blanc.ch Microsens SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.microsens.ch Marcel Jaccard SA Medtech VAUD http://www.jaccard.ch Mikron Holding AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mikron-tg.com Marly Innovation Center (MIC) Incubateur FRIBOURG http://www.marly-innovation-center.org Milian SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.milian.com Masimo International Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.masimo.com Milupa SA (Danone) Nutrition FRIBOURG http://www.milupa.ch MassChallenge Switzerland Incubateur VAUD http://masschallenge.org Mindmaze SA Medtech VAUD http://www.mindmaze.ch Max Jung AG Medtech BERNE http://www.maxjung.ch Mintaka Medical Research Foundation Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.mintakafoundation.com MaxiMed Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.maximed.ch MMV Medicines For Malaria Venture Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.mmv.org Mayba.ch Medtech VALAIS https://www.mayba.ch/ Moinas & Savoye Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.msc-ip.com MCE Swiss SARl Service VAUD http://www.mvlab.ch/ Monnier & Zahner AG Medtech BERNE http://www.monnier-zahner.ch MCL Medizinische Laboratorien AG Service BERNE http://www.mcl.ch Mosimann Developpement Medtech VAUD MCS Labordatensysteme AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mcs-ag.com Motilis Medica SA Medtech VAUD http://www.motilis.com MD-Clinicals SA Service VAUD http://www.md-clinicals.com MPS Precimed SA Medtech BERNE http://www.mps-precimed.com Mecaplast SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.mecaplast.ch Multiple Dimensions AG Medtech BERNE http://www.multipledim.com Mecha AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mecha.ch Mycotec SA Service NEUCHATEL http://www.mycotec.ch Med Communications International Sàrl Service GENEVE www.medcommunications.com Mymetics SA Biotech VAUD http://www.mymetics.com Med Discovery SA Biotech VAUD http://www.med-discovery.com MyoPowers Medical Technologies SA Medtech VAUD http://www.myopowers.com Medacta International SA Medtech JURA http://www.medacta.ch Myotest SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.myotest.ch MedC. Partners Sàrl Service VAUD www.medmap.ch Nano Bridging Molecules SA Medtech VAUD http://www.nbmolecules.com Medeco-ch Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.medeco-ch.com Nanolive SA Medtech VAUD http://www.nanolive.ch Medelec SA Medtech VAUD http://www.medelec-tubes.com Nanologica Pure Sàrl Service JURA Medexpansion Sàrl Service VAUD http://medexpansion.ch NanoWorld Technologies Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.nanoworldtechnologies.com Medical Cluster Incubateur BERNE http://www.medical-cluster.ch Naturalps Sàrl Cosmétique VAUD http://www.naturalps.ch/ Medical Device Solutions AG Medtech BERNE http://www.mds-ag.ch NayaMed International Sàrl Medtech VAUD https://www.nayamed.com Medical Devices Lease SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.mdlfinance.com NBB Biotech GmbH Service FRIBOURG http://www.nbbbiotech.com Medical Titanium Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.medicaltitanium.com Neo Medical SA Medtech VAUD https://neomedicalinc.com/ MedicMicro SA Medtech VAUD http://www.medicmicro.ch/ Neocutis SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.neocutis.com Medico-Technique CRM SA Medtech NEUCHATEL Neode Parc technologique et industriel SA Incubateur NEUCHATEL http://www.neode.ch/ Medicontur International SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.medicontur.com Neomed Medical SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.neomedmedical.ch Medics Labor AG Service BERNE http://www.medics-labor.ch NeoMed Sàrl investisseur GENEVE http://www.neomed.net Medidee Services SA Service VAUD http://medidee.com Nestlé Health Science SA Biotech VAUD https://www.nestlehealthscience.fr/ Mediliant SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.mediliant.com/ Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences SA Biotech VAUD http://www.nestleinstitutehealthsciences.com Medimaps Group SA Service GENEVE http://www.medimapsgroup.com Nestlé SA Nutrition VAUD http://www.nestle.ch Medinel Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.medinel.com NetModule AG Medtech BERNE http://www.netmodule.com Medinorma Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.medinorma.ch Neurix SA Service GENEVE http://www.neurix.ch Medos International Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.jnj.ch NeuroAssets sàrl Service VAUD http://www.neuroassets.com Mediplant Fondation/Association VALAIS http://www.mediplant.ch Neurolite AG Medtech BERNE http://www.neurolite.ch

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Nitto Denko Europe Technical Centre SARL Medtech VAUD http://www.nitto.com/ Picodrill SA Medtech VAUD Novagraaf International SA Service GENEVE http://www.novagraaf.ch Pictet Alternative Advisors SA investisseur GENEVE http://www.pictet.ch Novartis Consumer Health SA Pharma VAUD http://www.consumer-health.ch Piguet Frères & Cie SA Medtech VAUD http://www.piguet-freres.ch Novassay SA Pharma VAUD http://novassay.com/ Pixon Engineering SA Service VALAIS http://www.pixon-ch.com NovImmune SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.novimmune.com Plaspaq SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.plaspaq.ch Novipart Sàrl Service VALAIS http://www.novipart.com Platinn Service FRIBOURG http://www.platinn.ch Novo Business Consultants AG Service BERNE http://www.novo-bc.ch Polar Electro Europe B.V. Medtech NEUCHATEL www.polar.com Novoglas AG Medtech BERNE http://www.novoglas.ch Polydec SA Medtech BERNE http://www.polydec.ch Nr1club Service VAUD http://www.nr1club.ch Polytech Ventures investisseur VAUD https://polytechecosystem.vc Nufer Medical AG Medtech BERNE http://www.nufer-medical.ch Precipart SA Medtech BERNE http://www.precipart.ch Numelec SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.numelec.com Preclin Biosystems AG Service VAUD http://www.preclinbiosystems.com Nutricia SA Nutrition FRIBOURG http://www.nutricia.ch Predige SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.les-naturelles.com Nutrimedis SA Nutrition FRIBOURG http://www.nutrimedis.ch PreenTec AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.preentec.ch NV Log SA Service GENEVE http://www.nvlogistics.com PregLem SA (Gedeon Richter) Biotech GENEVE http://www.preglem.com ObsEva SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.obseva.com Pretec AG Metrology Medtech BERNE http://www.pretec.ch Obtech Medical Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.jnj.com Prexton Therapeutics Biotech GENEVE http://www.prextontherapeutics.com Odlander Fredrikson SA/ HealthCap investisseur VAUD http://www.healthcap.eu Primequal SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.primequal.com Odinelixir SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.odinelixir.ch Pro Valplantes SA Nutrition VALAIS http://www.valplantes.ch Odysis SA Service VAUD http://www.odysis.com Produits Dentaires SA Medtech VAUD http://www.pdsa.ch Omega Statistical Consulting Service VAUD http://www.omegastatco.ch Protec Medical Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.protec-shop.ch OmniScience SA Service GENEVE http://www.omniscience-ltd.com Proxilab Analyses Médicales SA Service VAUD http://www.proxilab.ch OMPI Service GENEVE http://www.wipo.int PulmonX International Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL https://www.pulmonx.com/ OncoEthix SA Biotech VAUD http://www.oncoethix.com Pure by Switzerland SA Cosmétique JURA ONCommit Sàrl Service VAUD http://oncommit.ch/home-francais.html PX Dental SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.pxdental.com One Drop Diagnostic Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.onedropdiagnostics.com QGel SA Service VAUD http://www.qgelbio.com OPI Service GENEVE http://www.opi.ch Qloudlab SA Medtech VAUD http://qloudlab.com Orphée SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.orphee-medical.com Qualimatest SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.qmt.ch Ortho-Team AG Medtech BERNE http://www.ortho-team.ch Qualimetro SA Medtech VAUD Ortho.Kern SA Medtech VAUD http://www.ortho-kern.ch Quantum Pharmaceuticals SA Cosmétique NEUCHATEL http://quantumpharmaceuticals.com Orthoglobal Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.orthoglobal.ch Quartz Bio SA Service GENEVE http://www.quartzbio.com Oscimed SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.oscimedsa.com Quotient Suisse SA Service VAUD http://www.quotientbd.com Osterwalder AG Medtech BERNE http://www.osterwalder.com Qwane Bioscience SA Medtech VAUD http://www.qwane.com Outcome Europe Sarl Service VAUD http://www.outcome.com R-Action Distribution Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.radistribution.com P Niklaus SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.niklaus-sa.com Realtech Consulting Service VAUD http://www.realtech.com/en/index.cfm P&TS SA Service NEUCHATEL http://www.patentattorneys.ch Recomatic SA Medtech JURA http://www.grouperecomatic.ch/ Pact & Partners International Service VAUD http://www.pactpartners.com Regen Lab SA Biotech VAUD http://www.regenlab.com PACTT Recherche VAUD http://www.pactt.ch/ RegenHU SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.regenhu.com PAP Cosmetics Sciences SA Cosmétique VALAIS RehaxOne SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.rehaxone.com PaxVax Berna GmbH Pharma BERNE http://paxvax.com Republic of Innovation Service VAUD http://republic-of-innovation.ch PB&B SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.pbbtech.ch ReseaChem GmbH Service BERNE http://www.reseachem.ch Pearlwater Mineralquellen AG Nutrition VALAIS http:// Reuteler & Cie SA Service VAUD http://www.reuteler.net Pen-fix Sàrl Medtech JURA http://www.pen-fix.ch RF Pharmaceuticals Sàrl Service GENEVE Petitpierre SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.petitpierre.ch Rheon Medical SA Medtech VAUD http://www.rheonmedical.com/ Petz Industries AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.petz-industries.com/ RiboVax Biotechnologies SA Service GENEVE PFL Antralux SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.precel.ch/ Ridepharm Consulting Sàrl Service VALAIS http://www.ridepharm.com PFM Medical CPP SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.cppswiss.ch Riotex AG Cosmétique BERNE http://www.riotex.ch PGT Healthcare Pharma GENEVE http://www.pg.com RNI Consulting Healthcare Sàrl Service VALAIS http://www.rni-conseil.com/ Pharma Consulting Marion Senn GmbH Medtech BERNE http://www.pharmaconsulting.ch Rodanotech Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.rodanotech.ch Pharma Futura SA Service VALAIS http://www.nutritiondusport.ch Roewasys AG Medtech BERNE http://www.roewasys.com Pharmadev SA Cosmétique GENEVE http://www.pharmadev.ird.fr/ Rofin Lasag AG Medtech BERNE http://www.lasag.ch PharmAlp SA Nutrition VALAIS http://www.pharmalp.ch Romédic SA Medtech VAUD PharmaSys Service NEUCHATEL http://www.pharmasys.fr Rosin Entreprise Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.rosin-ent.com Pharmatic AG Service BERNE http://www.pharmatic.ch Ruetschi Technology AG Medtech VAUD http://www.ruetschi.com Phasis Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.phasis.ch Rüfenacht AG Medtech BERNE http://www.starbowl.ch PhenoSystems SA Service VAUD http://www.phenosystems.com S&S Sàrl Medtech BERNE http://www.ssgmt.com Phonak Communication AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.phonak-communications.com Safrima AG Medtech BERNE http://www.safrima.ch Photoderma SA Medtech VAUD http://www.photoderma.com Sage Products Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.sageproductsglobal.com PHT Corporation Sàrl Service GENEVE http://www.phtcorp.com Sanakvo Fondation Fondation/Association VALAIS http://www.sanakvo.org Phyt-Inov SA Cosmétique JURA http://www.phyt-inov.com Sanaro SA Nutrition VALAIS http://www.sanaro.ch Phyto Concept Conseil SA Service VALAIS http:// Sandozmedica Ltd Service VAUD http://www.sandozmedica.com PhytoArk SA Incubateur VALAIS http://www.phytoark.ch Saniswiss SA Service GENEVE http://www.saniswiss.com Phytomed AG Cosmétique BERNE http://www.phytomed.ch Sanitex SA Medtech JURA http://www.sanitex.ch Phytopharma SA Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.phytopharma.ch Sankom SA Nutrition JURA http://www.sankom.com Pibor Iso SA Medtech JURA http://www.pibor.ch Sanofi-Aventis (Suisse) SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.sanofi-aventis.ch

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Santen Switzerland SA Pharma GENEVE www.santen.com Stericenter SA Medtech VAUD http://www.steriswiss.ch Saphetor SA Service VAUD http://saphetor.com SteriSwiss Sàrl Medtech GENEVE http://www.steriswiss.ch Saphirwerk AG Medtech BERNE http://www.saphirwerk.com Stiftung Competence Center for Medical Technology (CCMT) Recherche BERNE http://www.ccmedtech.ch SATYAtek SA Medtech VAUD http://www.satyatek.com Stiftung für Technologische Innovation Fondation/Association BERNE http://www.sti-stiftung.ch SAV-IOL SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.sav-iol.com/ Stoppani AG Service BERNE http://www.stoppani.com SBG - Healthcare Strategic Marketing & Communication Service VAUD http://www.sbg-marcom.ch Stragen Pharma SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.stragen-pharma.com Schaerer Medical AG Medtech BERNE http://www.schaerermayfield.com Stratarium Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.stratarium.com Schlafli Engineering AG Medtech BERNE http://www.schlafli.ch Straumann Villeret SA Medtech BERNE http://www.straumann.com Schneiter Intellectual Property Service VAUD http://www.sv-ip.com Stryker Osteonics SA Medtech VAUD http://www.stryker.ch ScienceVisuals Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.visualbiotech.ch Stryker Spine SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.stryker.ch Scientis Pharma SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.scientispharma.ch/fr/cysteamine_cream Suisse Med Technologies SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.suissemt.com Scitec Research SA Service VAUD http://www.scitec-research.com Suisselle SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.suisselle.ch SDI Surgical Device International Sàrl Medtech BERNE http://www.sdigmbh.ch Sunrise Medical AG Medtech BERNE http://www.sunrisemedical.ch Second Sight Medical Products Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.secondsight.com/?lang=fr Sunstar Suisse SA Cosmétique VAUD http://www.sunstar.com Sedia Medizintechnik AG Service FRIBOURG http://www.sedia.ch Supply Chain Operations SA Service VAUD http://supplychainoperations.ch Selexis SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.selexis.com Surcotec SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.surcotec.ch Semadeni AG Medtech BERNE http://www.semadeni.com SUSS MicroOptics SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.suss-microoptics.com SensArs Neuroprosthetics Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.sensars.com/ Swiss Arab BioPharma Pharma GENEVE Sensimed SA Medtech VAUD http://www.sensimed.ch Swiss Beauty Technologies SA Cosmétique VALAIS http:// Sensogram Technologies AG Medtech BERNE http://www.sensogram.com Swiss Biotech Center Service VALAIS http://www.swissbiotech.org Sérolab SA Pharma VAUD http://www.serolab.ch Swisscom Ventures investisseur VAUD https://www.swisscom.ch/en/ventures.html SeroMer Holding SA Biotech VAUD http://www.merckserono.net Swiss Dental Material SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.sdm-sa.com Servicos AG Cosmétique BERNE http://www.servicos.ch Swiss Digital Health Service VALAIS http://www.swissdigitalhealth.com Servier (Suisse) SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.servier.com Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property Service BERNE https://www.ige.ch Seyonic SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.seyonic.com SIB Swiss Institute of BioInformatics Recherche GENEVE http://www.sib.swiss/ SFM SA Service VALAIS http://www.sfm-magnesium.ch Swiss Institute of Cell Therapies (SICT) Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.swiss-ict.ch/ SGS M-Scan SA Service GENEVE http://www.sgs.com/en/life-sciences Swiss Malaria Foundation Fondation/Association VAUD http://www.swissmalaria.ch SGX Sensortech SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.sgxsensortech.com SWiSS TM SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.swiss-tm.com SICHH - Swiss Integrative Center for Human Health SA Recherche FRIBOURG www.sichh.ch Swiss-Medical-Consultants Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.swiss-medical-consultants.com SIE AG Surgical Instrument Engineering Medtech BERNE Swissatec Sàrl Medtech JURA Siegfried (Evionnaz) Pharma VALAIS http://www.siegfried.ch Swissaustral Biotech SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.swissaustral.ch Siemens Suisse SA Medtech VAUD http://www.siemens.ch Swissderm AG Cosmétique FRIBOURG http://www.swissderm.ch Sigatec SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.sigatec.ch Swissfillon AG Service VALAIS http://swissfillon.ch Signal Processing SA Medtech VAUD http://www.signal-processing.com SwissInnov Product Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.swissinnov.com/ SimplicityBio SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.simplicitybio.com SwissLens SA Medtech VAUD http://www.swisslens.ch Sintetica-Bioren SA Pharma NEUCHATEL http://www.sintetica.com Swissmedbank SA Medtech VAUD http://www.swissmedbank.ch/ Sirad SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.sirad.ch Swisssurgical Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.swisssurgical.com SISPha SA Service VALAIS http://www.sispha.com Switzerland Global Enterprise Lausanne Service VAUD https://www.s-ge.com Skin Cell Technologies, Benathan Service VALAIS Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/ Bienne Incubateur BERNE https://www.switzerland-innovation.com Smartcanula Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.smartcanula.com Swortec SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.swortec.ch SmartCardia SA Medtech VAUD http://www.smartcardia.com Symbion Medical Systems Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.symbion-medical.com SmartGene Services Sàrl Medtech VAUD http://www.smartgene.ch Symbios Orthopédie SA Medtech VAUD http://www.symbios.ch Smile Line SA Medtech BERNE http://www.smileline.ch Symetis SA Medtech VAUD http://www.symetis.com SMR Engineering & Development SA Medtech BERNE http://www.smr.ch Syngenta Crop Protection Monthey AG Nutrition VALAIS http://www.syngenta.com Snortec Sàrl Medtech GENEVE www.snortec.ch/ Synthes Produktions GmbH Medtech VALAIS http://www.synthes.com Socar Research SA Service VAUD http://www.socar-research.com Sysmex Suisse SA Medtech VAUD http://www.sysmex.ch Société industrielle de Sonceboz SA Medtech BERNE http://www.sonceboz.com/en/medtech Systems Assembling SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.sysa.ch Socorex Isba SA Medtech VAUD http://www.socorex.com Swiss Vitamin Institute Service VAUD www.swissvitamin.ch Solae Europe SA Nutrition GENEVE http://www.solae.com Tagator SA Service FRIBOURG http://www.tagator.com Solid Drug Development SA Service GENEVE http://www.soliddrugdevelopment.com Tasly Europe Co., Ltd Pharma GENEVE www.tasly.com Sompharmaceuticals SA Pharma VAUD http://www.sompharmaceuticals.com TauDerma SA Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.tauderma.com/fr/ Sophia Genetics SA Service VAUD http://www.sophiagenetics.com Tavernier Tschanz Service GENEVE http://www.taverniertschanz.com/ Spagyros SA Service JURA http://www.spagyros.ch TC Metrix Sàrl Biotech VAUD http://www.tcmetrix.ch/ SpineArt SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.spineart.ch Techma Consult Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.techma-consult.com Spinomix SA Medtech VAUD http://www.spinomix.com TechniCAD Engineering SA Service VALAIS http://www.technicad.ch SpirAlps SA Nutrition VALAIS http://www.spiralps.ch Technilab SA Medtech GENEVE SP Solutions SA Service VALAIS http://www.spsolutions.ch Techno-Lens SA Medtech VAUD http://www.technolens.ch St. Jude Medical GVA Sàrl Medtech GENEVE https://www.sjmglobal.com TechnoCut SA Medtech JURA http://www.technocutsa.ch Staar Surgical AG Medtech BERNE http://www.staar.com Technology Park of Saint-Imier Incubateur BERNE https://www.saint-imier.ch Startech Consulting - Lai Service VAUD http://www.startech-consulting.ch/ Technology transfer office of the University of Neuchâtel (TTO UniNE) Recherche NEUCHATEL https://www2.unine.ch Station de recherche Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil Service VALAIS http://www.agroscope.admin.ch Techtransfer Fribourg Recherche FRIBOURG https://www.tt-fr.ch Steiger Galvanotechnique SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.innosurf.ch Temmentec AG Cosmétique BERNE http://www.temmentec.ch Stemedica International SA Biotech VAUD http://www.stemedica.com Tenax SA Medtech JURA http://www.jic.ch/tenax Stemergie Biotechnology SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.stemergie.com The Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.theglobalfund.org

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (Ecublens) SARL Medtech VAUD http://www.thermofisher.com Wyss Center for Bio and Neuro Engineering Fondation/Association GENEVE http://www.campusbiotech.ch Tissot Medical Research SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.tissotmedical.com/ Xcelens SA Medtech GENEVE Topotarget Switzerland SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.topotarget.com Xigen SA Biotech VAUD http://www.xigenpharma.com Tornos SA Medtech BERNE http://www.tornos.com Xitact SA Medtech VAUD http://www.mentice.com Totzke & Dreher Scientific SA Service GENEVE http://www.td-s.com Y-Parc SA Incubateur VAUD http://www.y-parc.ch Trabold & Co AG Medtech BERNE http://www.trabold.ch Ypsomed AG Medtech BERNE http://www.ypsomed.com Transcot SA Service GENEVE Yttermed SA Medtech VAUD http://www.yttermed.ch/ TRB Chemedica International SA Pharma GENEVE http://www.trbchemedica.com Zanin Swiss Cosmetics Cosmétique VALAIS http://www.zanin-cosmetics.ch TRB Chemedica SA Pharma VALAIS http://www.trbchemedica.com Zermatten Dental Medtech VALAIS Triflo Medical Switzerland Sàrl Service NEUCHATEL http://www.triflomedical.ch Zestagen SA Biotech VAUD http://www.zestagen.com Trimastek Sàrl Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.trimastek.com Ziemer Ophthalmic Systems AG Medtech BERNE http://www.ziemergroup.com Triskel Integrated Services SA Service GENEVE http://www.triskel.com Zilooa - Ethical Skin Care Cosmétique NEUCHATEL http://www.zilooa.com UCB Farchim SA Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.ucbsuisse.ch/ Zimmer Schweiz GmbH Medtech BERNE http://www.zimmer.com UNIBE Recherche BERNE http://www.unibe.ch Zimmer Surgical SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.zimmer.com/ UNIFR Recherche FRIBOURG http://www.unifr.ch Zorion Medical Medtech VAUD http://www.zorionmedical.com UNIGE Recherche GENEVE http://www.unige.ch ZTC Technology SA Medtech NEUCHATEL http://www.ztc-techno.com UNIL Recherche VAUD http://www.unil.ch Unilabs Pharma VAUD http://www.unilabs.ch Unimed SA Medtech VAUD http://www.unimed.ch UNINE Recherche NEUCHATEL http://www.unine.ch Unitec Recherche GENEVE http://www.unige.ch/unitec United BioSource (Suisse) SA Service GENEVE http://www.unitedbiosource.com UniverCité Incubateur VAUD http://www.univercite.ch University of Engineering and Management of Vaud (HEIG-VD) Recherche VAUD www.heig-vd.ch USF Healthcare SA Service GENEVE http://usfhealthcare.com/ V-Watch SA Medtech GENEVE THE BIOALPS TEAM V.I.P.S. Viral Inactivated Plasma Systems SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.vipsmedical.com COMMITTEE Manager, PACTT (TTO UNIL-CHUV) SECRETARIAT Valley Road Capital investisseur VAUD http://valleyroadcapital.com Dr SACHA SIDJANSKI Valmed SA Medtech VALAIS http://www.valmed.ch President Head of External Relations, Mr CLAUDE JORIS Valpharmex SA Service VALAIS Dr BENOÎT DUBUIS School of Life Science, Secretary General Valsynthese SA (Société Suisse des Explosifs Group) Pharma VALAIS http://www.valsynthese.ch Director, Fondation Campus Biotech Geneva EPFL- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Valtronic Technologies SA Medtech VAUD http://www.valtronictechnologies.com Mr CHRISTOPHE ROUILLER Lausanne Valucept Sàrl Cosmétique GENEVE http://www.valucept.com Executive Assistant Vice President Mr ROLAND FEGER Vaxeal Holding SA Biotech VAUD http://www.vaxeal-group.com Mr RAPHAËL CONZ Business Manager, Service of Economy, Mr. JEROME COCHAND Vector LifeSciences SA Biotech GENEVE http://www.vectorlifesciences.com Economic Promotion Manager Republic and Canton of Neuchâtel Executive Assistant VeinPress GmbH Medtech BERNE http://veinpress.com Office for Economic Affairs (SPECo) Prof IAN MARISON Veldana Medical SA Medtech VAUD http://www.pnnmedical.ch Canton of Vaud Venner Medical (Suisse) SA Medtech VAUD http://www.vennermedical.com Director, Biofactory Competence Center, Fribourg ADDRESS VentureKick Service VAUD http://www.venturekick.ch Treasurer Venturelab Service VAUD http://www.venturelab.ch Professor, School of Engineering and Dr MASSIMO NOBILE BioAlps Association VeoSource SA Medtech VAUD Architecture of Fribourg, “Life Sciences Initiatives” C/o OPI VI Partners AG investisseur VAUD http://www.vipartners.ch University of Applied Sciences of Western The Ark Foundation Ch. du Pré-Fleuri 3 Vifor Pharma Pharma FRIBOURG http://www.viforpharma.ch Switzerland 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates Vifor Pharma (OM Pharma) Pharma GENEVE http://www.ompharma.ch Prof JEAN-LUC VEUTHEY Members Switzerland Vigisense SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.vigisense.com Mrs CATHERINE LALIVE D’EPINAY Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vinci Capital investisseur VAUD http://www.vincicapital.ch Economic Development Officer, University of Geneva Contact Viroblock SA Medtech GENEVE http://www.viroblock.com Department of Security and Economy, Prof KALIA YOGESHVAR BioAlps Association Viso Médical SA Medtech NEUCHATEL Republic and Canton of Geneva Associated Professor, School of Pharmaceuti- Phone +41 (0) 22 304 40 40 Vivactis (Suisse) SA Service VAUD http://www.vivactis.com Mrs ANNE-RENEE LEYVRAZ cal Sciences Email [email protected] Vivier Hi-Tech Park Incubateur FRIBOURG www.vivier.ch Technology Transfer and Communication University of Geneva Web www.bioalps.org VIVOS-Dental AG Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.vivosdental.com Voisin Consulting Sàrl Service VAUD http://www.voisinconsulting.com VTU Engineering Schweiz SA Service VALAIS http://www.vtu.com Vuilleumier Technology SA Medtech BERNE http://www.vui-tec.ch TECHNOLOGY BY BILAN VWR International AG Service VAUD http://www.vwr.com Vygon Suisse Sàrl Medtech BERNE http://www.vygon.ch Editor Fabrice Delaye MARKETING PUBLISHER Walgreens Boots Alliance Development GmbH Pharma BERNE http://www.wbadev.com Art Director Pierre Broquet Dahlia Al-Khudri, Jacques Molinari Tamedia Publications romandes SA Waypoint Capital investisseur GENEVE http://www.waypointcapital.net Photo Director David Huc WestRock Switzerland SA Biotech VALAIS http://www.mwvaardex.com Design Director Charlène Martin ADVERTISING SALES CUSTOMER SERVICE Wibemo SA Medtech FRIBOURG http://www.wibemo.ch Writers Matthieu Hoffstetter, Pascal Vermot Tamedia Publications romandes AND INQUIRIES Willemin-Macodel SA Medtech JURA http://www.willemin-macodel.com TRANSLATION/EDITING av. de la Gare 33 - 1001 Lausanne 11, rue des Rois - 1204 Genève Witech Bassecourt SA Medtech JURA http://www.witech-sa.ch Vivienne Gerritsen Tél. +41 21 349 50 50 e-mail: [email protected] World Medical Device Organization Service VAUD http://www.wmdo.org and Mark Whitehead [email protected] Tél. +41 22 322 36 36 World Health Organization (WHO) Service GENEVE http://www.who.int

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