Basel Area - The Leading Location in Life Sciences

The Basel region's status as a capital of the life sciences industry is no recent development. From Renaissance alchemist and physician, Paracelsus, to the 1950 Nobel Prize winner Tadeus Reichstein, responsible for isolating cortisone and synthesising Vitamin C, Basel boasts a long-established reputation within the field.

However, this is not a region living off its former glories; the BaselArea has had Switzerland's number one growth rate over the past ten years and shows no sign of slowing down.

EUROPE'S LEADING CENTRE FOR LIFE SCIENCES

Despite being renowned as Europe's leading centre for pharmaceuticals, chemicals and modern biotechnology, Basel shows no sign of complacency. Hans-Peter Wessels, Managing Director of BaselArea Business Development, stresses the need to keep evolving apace, 'We are dedicated to maintaining an ideal environment,' he says. 'It is important that the region continues to offer a foundation for success.'

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Providing a climate that is conducive to productivity is, in Wessels' eyes, made easier as the volume of industry continues to rise. 'Having so many different activities and companies from related fields working side by side helps create synergies and benefits competition,' he says. 'Customers, investors, venture capitalists and new laboratories - everyone operates very closely and we do our best to ensure that development becomes a self-fulfilling cycle.'

LIFE SCIENCE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Although many companies operate within similar spheres, Wessels says that companies do not have to be a Novartis or Roche-type firm to operate here. 'There are opportunities for businesses of all sizes,' he explains. 'In fact, there are schemes in place to attract smaller start-ups.'

These include grants for spin-off companies from the universities and initial tax-reductions for new ventures. Applications are processed on a case-by-case basis and such initiatives are not reflective of an overall approach towards attracting new business. Unlike elsewhere, massive tax incentives to attract overseas investment are not on offer. Instead, the policy reflects just how confident and established the region has become.

'Taxes are quite low and further benefits for businesses to come here are evident,' says Wessels.

The region certainly has the facilities to accommodate new businesses with the further enlarged laboratory complexes - an innovation park and tech centres - currently in development, underlining the commitment to growth.

QUALIFIED LIFE SCIENCE LABOUR POOL

It is easy to believe that such an intense growth rate and concentration of industry could lead to staffing shortages. Wessels staunchly disputes this interpretation. 'Within one hour of Basel, you will find four of the top 100 universities in the world,' he argues. 'This allows for extremely beneficial collaborative projects and recruitment. The universities are attuned to the needs of surrounding business.'

Wessels cites the establishment of ETH Zurich and the University of Basel's joint systems biology institute and the new life sciences college at the local University of Applied Sciences as developments that will further swell the labour market.

But Wessels is also keen to stress that employees are not drawn from Switzerland alone. Basel's population is temporarily swollen by the influx of 50,000 workers each day from across the border in France and Germany, joining a highly international local population. 'People come from all over the world to work in local companies or to start their own ventures.' he explains. 'Basel offers a high quality of life, with a welcoming business and social environment.'

Such internationalisation of the region's industry, workforce and character lends weight to Wessels' claim that the Basel region is 'open to the world'.

BASELAREA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

BaselArea Business Development is a non-profit organisation that promotes the benefits of Basel's economic region as the main contact point for companies and entrepreneurs wishing to establish their business in the area.