Innovation

them to be up and running faster, to be fully independent from universities, for instance.’

Innovating for the future

Pierre-Jean paints a bright picture of the future of innovation in life sciences, with exciting AI developments and original ways to support patients and identify better care pathways leading the way. ‘We are at the dawn of a new era.’

According to Pierre-Jean, Biopôle SA provides much more than its flagship initiatives. ‘We offer premium infrastructure, visibility, but one thing that really differentiates us is the way we nurture trust between people, so that they can exchange meaningful or helpful information, and the way we connect people or organise events or opportunities to connect them either passively or actively.'

‘People benefit from the dynamics, momentum, growth and successes of the community,’ he continues. ‘In 2022, Biopôlebased companies raised almost CHF 400m. It’s a momentum that really engages people in our community to move forward themselves.’

And that era includes open innovation. Twenty years ago, people were encouraged not to talk about their intellectual property and work behind closed doors. Now, in both the corporate and start-up world, Pierre-Jean sees a change: ‘Of course there will still be IP, protections, patents, the need not to disclose everything, but the more you interact, the more you can get involved.’

‘People are talking and exchanging ideas. Innovation is about people, and Biopôle is working to help open more of those doors –to help people find each other.’

The Biopôle Start-up Fund is a flagship initiative that supports the most promising life sciences ventures on campus so they can focus on exciting innovations in human health. The winners are selected by the nine members of our Scientific Advisory Board. They have shared their motivation drivers and their outlook for 2023.