Situated in the centre of Europe, Switzerland is an ideal gateway to the markets of the European Union and is well placed for hosting an extensive high-tech sector. Excellent R&D in public and private research institutions, positions Switzerland among world leaders in innovation and product development in the biotechnology industry.

With a well-educated and highly skilled workforce, Switzerland is also home to approximately 250 small and medium-sized enterprises active in the field of biotechnology. Having identified biotechnology as a key factor for future development, the Swiss government has undertaken various efforts to create an attractive business environment for this sector. The proximity to Switzerland's prestigious chemical and pharmaceutical companies and to national and international knowledge clusters makes this country an ideal place to set up your biotech business.
Biotechnology enjoys a favourable regulatory and administrative environment in Switzerland. Existng regulations not only cover current technology, but strengthen the legal basis for further developments in biotechnology. On the administrative side, the federal coordination centre for biotechnology provides one-stop processing of notifications and applications for authorization.
Accounting for 79 of the 465 European products in the pipeline, the Swiss biotech industry ranks an impressive second in Europe in terms of revenue and market capitalization. Switzerland is home to many biotech companies including world leaders who value a business environment supporting solid growth in Europe. Switzerland lies at the heart of one of the world's leading biotechnology regions, which also includes the neighbouring areas of France, Germany and Italy. The Swiss biotech industry is among the largest and most diversified in Europe.



Best for locating business
A sophisticated scientific environment with leading-edge competence in life sciences, microtechnology, precision instruments and medical devices. With an annual total expenditure of CHF 8 billion CHF (USD 6.3 billion) in 2004, Switzerland has one of the world's highest levels of research expenditure relative to gross domestic product (2.6 percent). Over two-thirds of the Swiss research is financed by the private sector. The excellent quality of research is documented by the top rankings of several Swiss universities, as well as the high numbers of publications and of patent registrations.
• A highly skilled and quality-conscious workforce, experienced in precision operations a world leader in terms of productivity
• The dense network of universities and research institutes guarantees biotech companies easy access to a highly qualified, motivated workforce. Up to 44 percent of the Swiss working population or 1.7 million persons are active in the science and technology sectors and more than 13'000 thereof are employed in the biotech and pharma industries.
• With an annual average of 1'856 working hours, the labour force in Switzerland works more hours per year than in any other European country.
• A stimulating environment for young, innovative start-ups with science parks and incubators
• Backing joint R&D projects of universities and the industry, CTI, the Swiss innovation promotion agency, is a key element in a rapid conversion of state-of-the-art laboratory findings to marketable products. With a network of more than 40 business incubators and science parks, Switzerland provides an excellent infrastructure for young and innovative companies.
• Access to the European market with more than 450 million consumers of products and services from Switzerland.
Good contractual relations with the European Union and the central geographical location provide Switzerland-based companies with an excellent platform for accessing the European market.
Cooperation with the European Union includes agreements on free trade, the free movement of persons, air and land transport, non-tariff trade barriers, research, government procurement and justice. These agreements also consolidate the position of Switzerland as a leading financial centre in Europe and beyond.
Short product registration cycles and easy access to markets for medical devices and innovative Drugs Companies obtain all authorizations and licenses for manufacturing, wholesale and retail operations of pharmaceuticals from the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swiss legislation is compatible with the European Union but has fewer administrative contact points Companies using contained genetically modified or pathogenic organisms notify and obtain all the necessary operation licences from the Federal coordination centre for biotechnology.
Well-developed network linking public administration, support instruments, research and industry. The Swiss high-tech community is marked by an exemplary and effective cooperation between the Swiss government, research institutes, finance and industry. Institutional links, private-public partnerships and personal networks across borders form an efficient structure to translate new ideas into innovative products.
Attractive fiscal system
A very favourable tax environment with moderate overall taxation is a key advantage of a business location in Switzerland. The maximum corporate tax rate on profit was 16-28 percent in 2004, which is one of the lowest rates in Europe.
Wide choice of venture capital and private equity funds. With more than 40 venture capital firms and sector-specific investment funds, Switzerland offers an excellent climate for biotechnology and other life science companies. In 2003 and 2004 Switzerland ranked third in Europe regarding venture capital influx of CHF 125 and 194 million respectively into the country.
Based in Geneva, Serono is the third-largest biotech company in the world. The company's research programmes are focused on reproductive health, neurology, metabolism and growth. Its products are sold in over 90 countries.
Ernesto Bertarelli of Sereno says: A centre of first-class scientific research, especially in life sciences, Switzerland has proven to be an excellent location for a global biotech company. There are many examples of fruitful cooperation with Swiss universities or polytechnic institutions as well as with start-up companies. This favourable environment has been supportive to our growth since we moved our headquarters here in 1977. Nevertheless, the attraction of Switzerland goes beyond purely scientific reasons. I am convinced that the spectacular growth of our company is a result of many political, social, environmental and cultural factors that come together here.
Bertarelli adds: “With more than 100 companies registered with the Swiss Biotechnology Association, this country has a broad foundation in biotechnology that can be compared favourably with both Europe and the United States. The export-driven economy of Switzerland inherently favours scientific activities and research. It has two well-known universities and polytechnic institutes of world renown, which have spurred scientific research, creativity and productivity.
Evidence of this talent and commitment can be seen in the number of Nobel Prizes awarded to the Swiss. Another factor essential to the expansion of biotechnology is the excellent level of the Swiss educational system. Serono knows it can count on the resources, know-how and skills of employees who are well trained, highly motivated and always multilingual.