Considering the size of the country, it is fair to say that Switzerland is one of the global leaders in red biotechnology (large parenteral molecules, technical suspension culture of stem cells, transgenic immune cells, gene therapy). Up to now, white or industrial biotechnology and its market participants have been able to benefit directly or indirectly from the innovative strength of the financially strong pharmaceutical industry. But the changes in the pharmaceutical industry will make this "free-riding" more difficult in future, as the technological innovations required will be very different in some cases. The SATW Biotechnology/Bioinformatics working group is therefore taking up the challenge of realising similar successes and innovation boosts in other markets, products and areas. Which applications are relevant and necessary for the Swiss economy? Who are the industrial and academic partners in Switzerland? What new, innovative forms of collaboration do we need to develop to make progress here? An initial discussion paper on the topic will be published on 1 March 2020 (available from the working group leader), and a longer-term work plan and responsibilities will be drawn up with an initial working group in the second quarter of 2020. The working group leader will provide regular updates here. In the longer term, the SBA should also be the "leading house" for industrial biotechnology. The following institutions and companies will be active in the working group in the first phase.
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