Back from Basel: 5 Swiss Biotech Day Takeaways

By Sophia Plesser, Head of Executive Search, Panda International

I just got back from Swiss Biotech Day 2025, and despite the jam-packed agenda, travel delays, and too much coffee, I left feeling energised, informed, and genuinely optimistic about the future of biotech. 

Over 3,000 people gathered in Basel from nearly 50 countries, and the buzz wasn’t just in the Global Village, it was in the conversations, the panels, the networking, and the subtle but steady sense that even in a complex market, biotech isn’t slowing down - it’s sharpening its focus.

For those who couldn’t attend -or, like me, were tied up in meetings for most of the day, here are five standout themes from the conference and the panels I did catch, ranging from venture capital realism to cutting-edge innovation and AI that's finally proving its value.

1. Venture Capital in 2025: Focused, Not Frozen

At Swiss Biotech Day 2025, the panel discussion titled "Biotech Investor Strategy in a Dynamic Market" brought together leading European investors to explore the evolving landscape of venture capital in the biotech sector. Moderated by Kevin Grogan of Citeline, the panel featured insights from Anta Gkelou (Sofinnova Capital Strategy), Dani Bach (Limani Partners), and Jean-Philipp Kruse (Lilly Ventures).

The discussion highlighted a shift toward more disciplined investment strategies. Investors are increasingly focusing on de-risked assets, platform technologies with clear translational potential, and leadership teams that blend scientific expertise with business acumen. The trend is moving away from broad portfolios toward targeted investments in companies that demonstrate robust data packages and a clear path to clinical development.

Despite a tight IPO window, private biotech fundraising in Switzerland reached a record CHF 833 million in 2024, with significant rounds like Alentis Therapeutics (CHF 163 million) and SixPeaks Bio (CHF 102 million) leading the way. This indicates that while capital is available, it is being allocated more selectively, favouring companies that are well-prepared and strategically positioned.

2. CMC & Manufacturing: From Cost Centre to Competitive Edge

After hearing investors hammer home the importance of execution, it was no surprise to see CMC, once a backstage function, take a front-row seat in strategy conversations. The panel on "CMC Success Factors for Emerging Biotechs" unpacked why manufacturing is now a critical driver of value, especially in high-stakes modalities like biologics, oligos, and lipid nanoparticles.

Led by Sonja Merkas (Livinovea), the session brought together voices from Genevant, Nxera Pharma, TenPoint Therapeutics, and Bachem. The consensus? If your CMC story isn’t buttoned up early, it can cost you the deal - or the timeline.

From building scalable, GMP-ready processes to navigating the nuanced expectations of CDMO’s, the advice was clear: treat CMC like a product strategy, not a technical afterthought. Biotechs that bring manufacturing thinking upstream, especially those targeting partnerships, are far better positioned to scale and survive scrutiny.

3. Innovation Spotlight: Responsive, Not Just Personalised

Innovation was everywhere - from immune-evasive cell therapies and RNA-editing platforms to microbiome-engineered therapeutics. But what really caught my attention was the growing convergence of diagnostics and therapeutics, especially in oncology. There’s a clear trend toward dynamically responsive medicine, with trials now being designed around real-time stratification tools that evolve with patient data.

Highlights included:

• Araris Biotech AG and its ADC platform using native antibodies (no engineering required).

• ARTBIO’s alpha-emitting radioligand therapies, target tumours with ultra-specific precision.

• Novel delivery platforms for microbiome and RNA-based therapeutics.
  

We’re moving beyond personalisation and toward adaptive interventions that adjust as a patient’s disease profile shifts.

4. AI in Biotech: Quietly Powerful, Deeply Embedded

AI didn’t need flashy headlines at Swiss Biotech Day this year, it was already woven into the fabric of the most forward-looking strategies. Rather than lofty promises, the conversation shifted to what’s already working: AI-powered molecule discovery, clinical trial simulations, real-time data harmonisation, and even AI-supported regulatory filings.

A standout session featuring NVIDIA, IQVIA, and SOPHiA GENETICS made one thing clear, the most effective applications are coming from biotech-native platforms, where AI isn’t bolted on but baked in. These are the companies building with explainability and validation in mind from day one, not retrofitting compliance after the fact.

It was also encouraging to hear that regulators are starting to lean in, especially in Europe, where agencies are increasingly open to AI-enhanced data submissions, so long as they meet standards for transparency and reproducibility.

 

5. Organ-on-Chip: The Netherlands Is Betting on Predictive Biology

While AI is transforming the way we interpret data, Organ-on-Chip technology is reshaping how we generate it. One of the most future-focused sessions at Swiss Biotech Day was the roundtable led by a powerhouse Dutch delegation, which spotlighted the Netherlands’ growing influence in this space.

The case they made was compelling: Organ-on-Chip platforms are becoming smarter, more scalable alternatives to traditional animal models, with higher predictive accuracy and strong ethical advantages. What stood out was the pace of progress, driven by public-private partnerships and a national commitment to translational impact.

From academic labs to pharma pipelines, there’s clear momentum, especially in how these models are used to de-risk early-stage candidates before they hit the clinic. The Netherlands isn’t just participating in this shift; it’s actively shaping the standards.

 

Final Thought: Sharpened Focus, Steady Optimism

If there’s one word I’d use to describe this year’s Swiss Biotech Day, it’s intentional. Whether it was investors refining their thesis, biotechs rethinking how early they integrate CMC, or the way AI and Organ-on-Chip are quietly becoming core infrastructure rather than innovation theatre, the industry feels sharper, more focused, and ready to scale with purpose.

While challenges around capital and regulation are still part of the landscape, what stood out was how proactive and solution-oriented the conversations have become. Biotech isn’t standing still. It’s evolving with clarity, creativity, and a renewed sense of collaboration.

Looking forward to next year's conference!

Photo cred: https://mva.org/news/register-for-swiss-biotech-days-2024-with-your-33-mva-discount/