From pirates to powerhouse

Switzerland has deliberately built one of the world’s most innovation-friendly environments—now especially visible in life sciences, where deep academic-industry ties and cross-border collaboration fuel biotech growth.

The shift is striking given the country’s early reputation for weak patent protections. Over time, stronger IP frameworks and sustained investment helped Switzerland develop strength across the pharma value chain and create startup-ready infrastructure, with Basel emerging as a dense biotech supercluster anchored by major employers and a growing network of accelerators and innovation parks.

That ecosystem is also shaping cell and gene therapy momentum, from early-stage company building through to manufacturing scale-up in hubs like Basel and Zurich—positioning Switzerland to support both novel science and the operational demands of advanced therapies.

Read the full article on the original source (Cell & Gene Therapy).