Life Sciences, the Region’s Leading Sector

The numbers are impressive, showing that more than 50% of Switzerland’s life sciences exports originate in the Basel region. The sector accounts for one third of the total value added in the Basel region. Around 800 life sciences companies are behind these numbers, employing over 30,000 individuals in the region. With two of the world’s top five largest pharmaceutical companies, Novartis and Roche, headquartered in Basel, the city is doubtless a global nexus of life sciences.

Every other year, the WHO publishes an updated list of the most vital medications. In 2021, Roche headed the list with 32 medications. Industry Night gives you the chance to discover how this worldwide concern tirelessly researches, develops, and produces. Maybe you’ve always wondered what exactly “personalized medicine” means? You’ll find out more at Roche. Across the Rhine, Novartis lets you discover their established campus and consider the big questions life sciences explore in the SchoolLab. The pavilion features a multimedia exhibition titled “Wonders of Medicine”, which includes SchoolHUB for everyone who wants to experience medical concepts hands-on.

Bayer Schweiz is another global life sciences business welcoming visitors near the main train station. Stop by their Basel base to learn more about the latest developments in medical care and agriculture. The Science Lab lets you test out exciting experiments and learn more about the chemistry underpinning everyday life. The Basel Krebsliga also offers insights into the early detection and prevention of cancer.

Two more spots to discover the modern world of medical technology are Medartis and Straumann. Medartis specializes in osteosynthesis, a surgical procedure for rapidly restoring fractured bones to full functionality. Fixing bone fractures with surgery is a highly complex procedure, and Medartis’ implants and technologies support surgeons and OR staff in over 50 countries. At the Medartis headquarters in Stücki Park, you can learn more about their achievements in medical technology, experience cutting-edge technology from head to toe in the anatomy lab, and talk to engineers and product specialists.

The implants Straumann develops and produces are for dental health. At Industry Night, you’ll learn how they manufacture dental implants and invisible dental splints, how an intraoral scanner works, and what digital dentistry has to offer.

Current medicine still struggles to combat dementia, a neurological condition. The dandelion dementia centre raises awareness of the situation. They’ll share their important work during Industry Night and explain what does and does not help individuals with dementia on an everyday basis.