Spaces

In 2020, Biopôle SA invested in the creation of Superlab, which is managed privately by Superlab Suisse SA and offers more than 1,500 m2 of private serviced lab space, ready to go, with some shared equipment. For some companies outgrowing StartLab, it’s the obvious next step – in fact, some of the first StartLab members have made the move already. For others, it’s their first choice when looking for private laboratories. Olivier explains the rationale: ‘As a company, you’re growing the team, you also want to have your own space, but without running it, managing it or building it. So that’s what Superlab offers.’

Some companies prefer a third option: to build their own lab within the Biopôle campus. The buildings at Biopôle are designed to house labs, so it isn’t difficult to make any space suitable for R&D or production, according to a company’s requirements. And some companies prefer to build custom-made labs in collaboration with Biopôle SA. There are even companies that joined the campus through StartLab who have then chosen the option of custom-made facilities and Biopôle SA has been there to help with the transition. Olivier explains the move: ‘When you’re in a shared facility, you’re part of a community and it’s very reassuring. But when you start up on your own, it’s a big step. We’re able to help by finding the best location on campus, by supporting on the design side. We love to be able to assist Biopôle companies with their growth.’

Digital Health Hub (DH2)

25+ digital health companies on site

15 hosted in the DH2

1,100 m2 of private office and co-working space

Supported by Clinique de La Source and Hôpital de La Tour

Spaces

What about office space?

The same choices apply to offices too, with desks in shared co-working spaces, private offices to rent and bespoke spaces, either in an existing building or in one of the new developments on the Biopôle site. In 2022, Biopôle SA created more than 25 small and mid-size offices, covering about 2,000 m2 in the Serine building, in response to the increasing demand for such spaces.

Another space that was created in 2019 and extended in 2022 is DH2, a dedicated area for digital and healthcare innovators. It offers desks in a co-working space (with private lockers, Wi-Fi, a shared printer, etc.) as well as private offices. Today, 15 companies with shared and private offices call it their home. However, the number of companies working in digital health is growing and an additional ten companies are currently hosted elsewhere on campus.

Bespoke spaces

Some companies prefer to build their lab and office space from scratch as part of new developments on site, in collaboration with Biopôle SA and the building owners.

Olivier feels that Biopôle SA’s flexibility and understanding of its companies’ needs is what makes it a special place: ‘We are always in contact with the CEOs of the companies. We can plan ahead: what does their growth look like? What might their future needs look like? And we adapt.’

2015

6 buildings

Surface area

33,000 m2

2020

8 buildings

Surface area

54,000 m2

2025

14 buildings

Surface area

105,000 m2