The cluster organisations

Read the PDF edition (2 pages)

The promotion of the life sciences cluster is a task of the cantonal economic policy. Since 2016 the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and Jura have pursued it through Basel Area Business & Innovation, an agency that combines the promotion of inward investment with support for start-ups and innovation. It was formed by combining earlier organisations, among them BaselArea, the regional investment promotion agency, and i-net, a technology network.¹ The agency runs incubation and acceleration programmes for start-ups in the life sciences and in other technologies while marketing the region to foreign companies.

The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, part of the national Switzerland Innovation network created under the federal Research and Innovation Promotion Act, has its main campus in Allschwil, with further sites in the region. The main building in Allschwil, opened in 2022, hosts start-ups, established companies and research units, among them groups of the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and of the university.² The concentration of biotechnology companies in Allschwil, at the edge of the city, reflects the shortage of space in Basel-Stadt and the more favourable conditions in Basel-Landschaft. It also shows that the cluster crosses the cantonal border created in 1833.

The financing of start-ups, by venture capital funds, business angels, the large groups' corporate venture arms and public instruments, is the subject of Chapter IV. Here it suffices to note that the existence of the large groups creates a supply of experienced researchers and managers who found companies, as well as a demand for licences and acquisitions that offers start-ups an exit. Like Actelion, which was founded by former Roche employees, many of the smaller companies in Allschwil have such roots. The large groups thus act as a school for entrepreneurs and as a buyer of their products.³

Notes

On the formation of Basel Area Business & Innovation from BaselArea, i-net and the China Business Platform, and on its sponsorship by the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and Jura, see its annual reports. Dates to be verified. ↩
On the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area and its main campus in Allschwil (opened 2022), and on the legal basis of the Switzerland Innovation parks in Art. 32 ff. of the Research and Innovation Promotion Act (RIPA, SR 420.1), see the publications of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation. To be verified. ↩
On the role of large pharmaceutical companies as sources of founders and as acquirers in the Basel biotechnology cluster, see the regional studies by Basel Area Business & Innovation and the Swiss Biotech Report published annually by the Swiss Biotech Association. To be verified. ↩

For general information only. This article does not constitute legal or tax advice, does not replace advice on an individual case and creates no lawyer-client relationship. It reflects the legal position as of August 2025.

English

Contact

Dr Alexander Ressos, TEP

Rechtsanwalt/Attorney-at-Law

I am a Swiss attorney-at-law and also admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and in England & Wales, with almost 25 years of experience.

Together with my multilingual team, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Ukrainian and French native speakers, I advise companies and their owners from around the world on the full range of banking, corporate, commercial and tax law matters in Switzerland, including international tax planning, fiduciary services, and legal family office services including immigration & relocation or real estate investments. My practice has a particular focus on clients from growth and frontier markets in Greater China, Central Asia and the Caucasus, the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and I equally advise clients from Europe and North America. Through an affiliated Swiss trust company, we also take care of the incorporation and ongoing administration of their companies and other structures, including accounting, tax returns and corporate secretarial services, and I serve as a professional director where required. With the support of a network of first-class cooperation partners, I also implement solutions worldwide.

My approach is to act as a trusted advisor who works directly with decision-makers, on an equal footing: I start from what you want to achieve and shape every structure, contract and tax decision around your commercial goals and how it improves your after-tax return. As “lawyers who make it happen”, my team and I stay involved until your company is set up, your structure is in place and your transaction has closed, and we remain available for any follow-on work that may be required. You benefit from bespoke solutions and personal attention, and sound, friendly and practical advice. We are not the lowest-cost provider in the market, nor do we intend to be; our aim is to deliver well-founded, proper solutions and excellent value for money.

Get in touch →

The cluster organisations

Notes

Setting up or expanding in Switzerland?