Expanding commercially into Europe: The clear case for biotech in the Basel Area

International expansion into Europe has always been part of the U.S. biotech playbook for commercialization. Now, the conversation is shifting toward which region offers the greatest strategic advantage. Following giants like Roche and Novartis – and the influx of hundreds of smaller biotechs – the Basel Area has become a go-to for strategic commercial expansion.

While already known as a thriving location for R&D innovation, the Basel Area is now gaining recognition for a life sciences ecosystem ripe for operational lifecycle success; full of highly skilled, deeply experienced biotech talent primed to work in a business-friendly climate. Major industry players have led the commercial expansion movement in the Basel Area – for example, BeOne Medicines built its European hub in the region, where it’s focusing on a successful commercialization strategy.

Evidenced by the success stories of the companies that call the Basel Area home, the region’s position as a premier biotech hub is attributable to three main factors:

• a rich life science talent pool,
• commercial talent that specifically understands how to navigate regulatory frameworks and market a drug in Europe,
• and the pro-business environment.

This expansion trend is predicted to continue as the Basel Area Life Sciences Supercluster successfully enables scale for a wide range of operational and commercial functions of booming biotechs and successful drug launches. Surrounded by contract development and manufacturing organizations, supply chain experts, world-class academic research institutions, biotech commercial professionals, and other industry thought leaders, the Basel Area has become the premier hub for life sciences leaders who require a wide range of resources at various stages of the commercial lifecycle.

Read on to learn how the region’s unique assets are supporting unprecedented leadership in biotech progress and growth.

The Basel Area of Switzerland is centrally located in Europe, enabling convenient, quick access to all major European cities. A “borderless location” where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, the Basel Area is a gateway to European markets and beyond. English-speaking, talent-rich, and well connected by air and train, the area’s interconnectedness supports the many demands of a full commercial lifecycle. With close proximity to major pharma players, industry-specific service providers and consultants, physicians, investors and vendors across the continent, the location is optimal for commercializing products throughout Europe.

Retention is high in this attractive region that boasts an unmatched quality of life – people may move to work for a powerhouse, but then, they settle in and stay. Tapping into the deep well of commercial resources, along with the scaling opportunities of cross-border teams and a large network of innovation partners with clinical, drug discovery, sales, marketing and reimbursement expertise, opportunities abound. For forward-focused organizations that are beyond an early-stage mindset, there is also a steady supply of affordable, move-in ready, purpose-built workspaces, from smaller options up to 10,000 m2.

A region deeply rooted in life sciences innovation, the Basel Area simply entices biotech companies to establish a European presence. In the case of commercial expansion, choosing a premier location is 100% strategic. CEOs shouldn’t settle for less.

There’s a rich, nurturing soil from which thriving scientific minds and companies grow, and the Basel Area is built on it. The region’s innovative scientific pioneers have long dominated the world’s stage, boasting eight Nobel Prizes and two Lasker Awards. The opportunities are there.

“The number one reason why CEOs are interested and excited about Basel is because of the talent,” says Detrick. “The rich blend of functional expertise is unparalleled.” 

When expanding commercially, people are the most critical asset, especially when targeting a new country or continent. Policies, workflows, regulatory systems, even customer behaviors can be daunting unknowns in life sciences innovation – unless existing talent is in place to provide context, support and expertise. That’s where the Basel Area shows its value, rich with highly skilled, deeply experienced biotech and commercial talent that has “done it before.” Successful launches made possible by smart, cross-functional teams are the norm here.

“For these talented people… this is not their first rodeo,” adds Detrick, who supports U.S. life sciences companies in biotech, healthtech, and medtech on pathways to expansion in Switzerland and the Basel Area. “They’ve done this before, and they’re all in and around Basel.”

Switzerland has long been recognized for its favorable fiscal and labor environments that support expanding organizations. From liberal labor laws and rapid securing of permits to stable regulation and competitive operating costs, the Basel Area is widely regarded as an attractive location to expand commercially in biotech.

Building on its established economic and political stability, the region’s fiscal advantages, including low tax burdens, are striking. The corporate tax rate is as low as 13% for companies with less than $750 million in global revenue, among the lowest in the country, sinking to about 10.6% with the R&D super-deduction and patent box. Further, local incentives, rebates and tax credits are available. For instance, through the Basel Incentive Programme, the canton of Basel-Stadt provides grants covering up to 25% of eligible R&D personnel costs for technical and scientific roles to encourage business innovation. 

“Basel understands that biotech is a capital-intensive business, and so [they’re] trying to inculcate a business environment that is supportive of [life sciences] companies,” Detrick says of the government, which is both “structured and transparent.”

A pro-business environment that fosters high productivity and efficiency in tandem with competitive operating costs, the Basel Area remains perfectly positioned in Europe for biotech innovation and growth. As life sciences companies expand their reach, this industry epicenter is the destination of choice thanks to an optimal location, impressive talent, and pragmatic government support.