Frequently Asked Questions

About Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster

• Who can help me explore or start in the Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster?

  Basel Area Business & Innovation offers personalized support for site visits, company setup, regulatory guidance, and more. Discover more on investinbasel.com

• Which regions are included in the Basel Area Supercluster?

  The Basel Area life sciences supercluster spans the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, and Jura. At the same time, its cross-border location connects seamlessly into France and Germany, offering triple-market access.

• Why is the Basel Area considered a Life Sciences Supercluster?

  The Basel Area is considered a Life Sciences Supercluster because it combines scale, density, and diversity: 800+ companies, 1,000+ research groups, 33,000+ professionals, global pharma HQs, world-class institutes, and attractive tax incentives, all within one borderless location.

• What is the Basel Area Life Science Supercluster?

  The Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster is the largest and most concentrated life sciences hub in mainland Europe. It brings together more than 800 companies, 1,000 research groups, and about 33,000 professionals across biotech, pharma, medtech, and healthtech. Located at the intersection of Switzerland, France and Germany, it connects international companies, research institutions and startups in one of the world’s densest innovation ecosystems.

• What support is available for international companies looking to set up in the Basel Area?

  International companies looking to enter or expand in the Basel Area can access free, customized support through Basel Area Business & Innovation, the official economic development agency. The agency also facilitates connections to local authorities, research networks, and innovation hubs, ensuring a smooth transition into the ecosystem. Whether you’re a multinational seeking a European base or a fast-growing scale-up exploring your next market, the Basel Area offers both strategic advantages and hands-on, personalized assistance.

Ecosystem

• Which biopharma companies have headquarters or major R&D sites in the Basel Area?

  Roche and Novartis maintain their global headquarters in Basel; Lonza’s global headquarters is also here. Additional anchors include Idorsia and Basilea Pharmaceutica in Allschwil (BL), plus major Basel sites for Bayer Consumer Care and Boehringer Ingelheim (Schweiz).

• Is lab and office spaces readily available in the Basel Area?

  Yes. The Basel Area has Europe’s largest available lab space per capita, surpassing even Boston. Commercial and R&D facilities are future-ready, sustainably designed, and affordably priced, with iconic spaces like the Switzerland Innovation Park and Novartis Campus. 

• How close is the Basel Area Supercluster to key research universities, biotech parks, or innovation clusters?

  Immediate. The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area (including HORTUS and the Novartis Campus hub), the Biozentrum/University of Basel, and globally known corporate campuses are all within the supercluster—providing turnkey space and daily proximity to academia and industry.

• What kind of life sciences ecosystem can I expect when choosing the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster offers an end-to-end ecosystem, with top-tier service providers for clinical trials, regulatory affairs, CDMOs, lab services and consulting. You’ll find a high density of peers and partners, from startups to industry leaders like Roche and Novartis. 

• Are other global biopharma leaders already in the Basel Area?

  Yes. The Basel Area is home to global HQs and major R&D centers of leaders like Roche, Novartis and Moderna. Many companies report effortless integration, fast startup timelines, and a collaborative ecosystem that accelerates both discovery and commercialization. 

For Biotechs

• What therapy areas stand out locally in the Basel Area?

  Oncology, immunology and rare diseases, infectious diseases and advanced manufacturing are longstanding strengths, backed by the companies and institutes based here. 

For Healthtechs

• How strong is the talent pool in healthtech in the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area concentrates a deep life sciences workforce and hosts leading computational biology and computer science groups at, for example, the University of Basel and ETH Zürich’s DBSSE in Basel.

Lifestyle

• How competitive is the housing market in the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area offers a stable and diverse housing market, with options ranging from city apartments to family-friendly suburban homes. Compared to Zurich or Geneva, competition is moderate, making it easier for relocating executives and families to secure suitable housing. Proximity to France and Germany also expands the range of attractive and affordable living options within easy commuting distance. Many expats find the process well supported by relocation services and local agencies.

• What is the availability of international schools in the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area is home to several highly regarded international schools, including the International School of Basel (ISB) and École Française de Bâle (EFDB), as well as bilingual programs that combine Swiss and international curricula. Demand is strong, but places are generally available with early registration.  Families relocating with children benefit from world-class education that eases integration and supports long-term career mobility.

• How livable is the Basel Area for relocating executives and their families?

  Ranked among the top 10 cities worldwide for quality of life, the Basel Area blends Swiss stability with European culture. Safe neighborhoods, efficient public transport, excellent healthcare, and green spaces make it family-friendly, while a vibrant cultural scene, international restaurants, and easy access to mountains and lakes create balance for professionals. Executives benefit from short commutes, a welcoming expat community, and a truly international environment that helps families feel at home quickly.

• Are there language or cultural considerations between German and French-speaking regions?

  Yes, the Basel Area sits at the intersection of Switzerland, France, and Germany, making it naturally multilingual and multicultural. While German is the dominant local language, French is widely spoken, and English serves as the working language across the life sciences ecosystem. This cultural blend enriches daily life and business, and many international families find it a unique advantage, helping children grow up with multilingual skills and global perspectives.

• What’s the quality of life like for international talent and their families?

  The city of Basel ranks 10th globally for quality of life. It combines Swiss safety, world-class healthcare, international schools, and 300 days of sunshine with a vibrant cultural scene and easy access to nature. The city is home to residents from 160+ nationalities and offers a bilingual, multicultural workforce. 

Location

• How do office spaces in the Basel Area compare to Zurich or Lausanne?

  The Basel Area offers modern, purpose-built office and lab spaces at some of Switzerland’s most competitive rates. Average office rents are around CHF 200 per square meter per month, compared to CHF 250 in Zurich and CHF 270 in Zug. Availability is strong, with flexible options across commercial hubs, the Novartis Campus, and Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area. Purpose-designed facilities for life sciences and healthtech make the Basel Area especially attractive for R&D-intensive companies.

• What are the key benefits of real estate, labor and operational costs in comparison to other major Swiss cantons?

  The Basel Area combines affordable commercial rents, competitive housing and liberal labor laws with Switzerland’s signature stability. Companies benefit from a deep, specialized talent pool that is larger and more cost-efficient than Zurich or Geneva. Operational costs are streamlined by lower office rents, efficient logistics and proximity to three countries, giving companies flexibility and savings without compromising access to talent or infrastructure.

• How easy is it to set up a business in the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area offers streamlined business registration, transparent labor and immigration laws, and pragmatic authorities. Permits are fast, and companies often start operations within weeks. For more information and free consulting services, get in touch with our team at investinbasel.com 

• Are there specific tax holidays or subsidies for foreign life sciences companies in the Basel Area?

  Yes. The Basel Area offers one of Europe’s lowest effective corporate tax rates—10.7% with R&D deductions—and foreign life sciences companies can qualify for tax holidays of up to ten years. In addition, the Innovation Incentive Program provides up to 25% cash back on R&D salaries and equipment costs, while Innosuisse, Switzerland’s innovation agency, funds up to 50% of projects with academic partners. These incentives reduce risk and free up capital for growth and discovery.

• What financial incentives are available for R&D in the Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster?

  Switzerland’s Innovation Incentive Program offers up to 25% cash rebates on R&D salaries, clinical trials, and depreciation. The location also offers corporate tax rates as low as 10.7%, and tax holidays of up to 10 years. Innosuisse funding (55% success rate) supports R&D projects up to 50% of the cost. 

• How accessible is the Basel Area internationally?

  The Basel Area is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of 3 countries, providing seamless access to European and global markets. With two international airports (Basel and Zurich) and flights of under 2 hours available to major EU capitals, it’s ideal for HQs as well as regional coordination. 

• Are there shared lab or coworking facilities for biotech startups?

  Yes. The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area and other facilities provide shared labs, coworking and incubator space, designed to meet biotech and healthtech startup needs.

Talent

• Will operating in a German-speaking canton affect business or hiring?

  No. The ecosystem is multilingual and “runs in English,” drawing talent from Switzerland, France and Germany. Companies routinely hire internationally and scale with cross-border teams.

• Which regions in Switzerland have the highest concentration of pharma, regulatory and commercial talent?

  The Basel Area leads Switzerland for life sciences talent concentration and scale, offering >25% more commercial life sciences talent than Zurich/Zug and over double the R&D expertise—accelerating both discovery and go-to-market.

• How strong is the life sciences talent pool?

  The Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster hosts the largest life sciences talent pool in mainland Europe, with 40% more commercial life sciences professionals than Zurich or Zug. It’s also globally ranked #1 for talent availability (IMD World Talent Ranking 2024), ensuring fast, efficient hiring. 

Why Basel Area

• Why should choosing a location align with your company's image and long-term strategic goals?

  Location is a credibility signal. Being in a dense, end-to-end ecosystem with peers, world-class institutes and iconic campuses supports hiring, partnerships, clinical execution and brand perception—shortening time from pipeline to patient.

• Why should I consider the Basel Area Supercluster for my R&D or commercial expansion?

  The Basel Area is Europe’s most concentrated life sciences cluster, offering access to over 33,000 life sciences professionals, 800+ companies, and 1,000+ research groups. It spans Switzerland, France and Germany, giving you triple-market access with minimal friction and one of Europe’s lowest corporate tax rates (10.7%). 

• What sectors dominate the local industry in the Basel Area?

  The Basel Area is Europe’s leading hub for life sciences, with a long-standing history in pharmaceutical, biotech, healthtech and medtech.

• Why is the Basel Area considered a life sciences supercluster?

  The Basel Area is Europe’s most concentrated life sciences hub, home to 800+ companies, 1,000+ research groups and 33,000+ professionals. Its borderless location at the heart of Switzerland, France and Germany delivers triple the talent and market access, while world-class institutes, global pharma leaders and innovation parks provide an end-to-end ecosystem. Combined with attractive tax incentives and a top-10 global quality of life ranking, Basel offers unmatched density, diversity and scale—making it Europe’s transformative life sciences supercluster.

Why Basel Area for R&D

• Is collaboration between academia and industry common here?

  Extremely. With 1,000+ research groups and the presence of Roche, Novartis and world-leading institutes, the Basel Area is built for industry–academia partnerships, from early discovery to clinical trials.

• Which research institutions are key players in the supercluster?

  The University of Basel (Biozentrum), the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), and the Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering are global leaders, complemented by company campuses like Roche Innovation Center Basel and the Novartis Campus.

• What opportunities are there for researchers in the Basel Area?

  Researchers can collaborate with 1,000+ groups, access funding programs like Innosuisse, and work alongside leading universities, hospitals and pharma HQs. The result is a dynamic research culture with global impact.