Life Sciences in Zurich: Innovative Hub for Biotech
Internationally important life science companies and startups are working towards a healthier future at the business location Zurich.
Over 1,000 life sciences companies are thriving in and around Zurich. No other business sector in the canton of Zurich has grown so rapidly in the last 20 years. Most densely scattered are the MedTech companies, which account for one-third of all jobs in the field of life sciences. Sonova, the largest provider of innovative hearing care solutions, has its head office on Lake Zurich. Other global players such as GE, Philips, and Siemens provide Switzerland with medical technology from their bases in the Greater Zurich Area. In addition, corporations such as Bayer, Pfizer, or Johnson & Johnson are stimulating business in the pharmaceutical field.
The biotechnology sector is experiencing particularly dynamic growth. At the Bio- Technopark Schlieren alone, over 40 spin-offs from Zurich’s universities are successfully driving forward their innovations. Industry giants have recognized the potential and already invested over CHF 1.5 billion in young enterprises at the Bio Technopark. Roche, for example, purchased ETH spin-off Glycart in 2005 and is continuing to operate it as the Roche Innovation Center Zurich.