End-to-end ecosystem
Scale faster in the Life Sciences Supercluster
Futureproof your pipeline in one of Europe’s leading life sciences hubs. From titans of industry to biotech breakthroughs, you’re never far from the network you need.
Welcome to your neighborhood
Explore one of Europe’s most connected life sciences clusters
You already know the big names in the Basel Area, but today the region is about far more than pharma. Investment from leaders like Roche and Novartis now fuels an unrivaled mix of industry-leading institutes and infrastructure, getting you from pipeline to patient in less time and with less risk. With your peers already here, the Basel Area Supercluster is the smart move – and a confident choice.
A hub built around connection and growth
Join over 800 life sciences companies and 1,000 research groups in one of Europe’s most concentrated life sciences ecosystems, where world-class research centers, labs and facilities are closely connected to support collaboration.
The Bachgraben district is a fast-growing life sciences hub emerging as a magnet for companies building and scaling in Europe. Major players like Johnson & Johnson moved in, alongside the launch of a new AI Innovation Center. The campus brings together labs, offices and co-working spaces, along with schools and childcare, with a strong focus on sustainability and international collaboration. At its core is the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, anchoring the district’s continued growth and connectivity.
Your commercial catalyst
From licensing and regulation to Proof of Concept trials and production, the Basel Area’s concentrated network of commercial suppliers and partners supports every stage of your growth within a leading life sciences cluster. And if you’re looking to out‑license, your BD teams can land a leading pharma partner fuss-free.
Your breakthrough destination
In the Basel Area, you’re never far from the network you need. Europe’s supercluster surrounds you with peers and pioneers – not commodities traders or crypto miners. So whether you’re doing R&D, launching, partnering, acquiring or selling, futureproof your plans in the place that’s serious about life sciences.
Service providers next to you
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Pre-clinical and clinical trials (CRO)
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Cleanroom design, engineering and building technology
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Lab analysis and R&D services
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Qualification and validation
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Regulatory affairs
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Manufacturing (CDMO)
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Consulting services
Your most concentrated network
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800+ companies
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1,000+ research groups
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16+ academic and research institutions
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33,000+ life sciences professionals
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Private and public investors
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1 go-to agency to support your business expansion
"Basel is the life science capital of Europe, and for us this represented an unbelievable opportunity. Our new building deepens collaboration with local industry and academia, advancing medical research together."
Head of Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich
Impact rooted in research
A deeply collaborative academic network supports the Basel Area’s life sciences ecosystem, linking world-class research, industry partnerships and a steady flow of talent from institutions like:
- The University of Basel, Switzerland’s oldest university, is internationally recognized for its strengths in life sciences and medicine and works closely with industry partners across the region.
- The FHNW School of Life Sciences provides specialized programs that prepare graduates for careers in biotech, pharma, and other life sciences fields.
- The Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) at ETH Zurich, based in Basel, focuses on systems biology and bioengineering, advancing fields such as synthetic biology and data-driven life sciences.
In addition, within a three-hour radius, companies also have access to talent and partnerships from globally top-ranked institutions including ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the University of Zurich.
Expand with ease
Iconic breakthroughs deserve iconic buildings
Specialized office space
Offices and buildings are purpose-built for life sciences by world-renowned architects like Frank Gehry and local heroes Herzog & deMeuron. These flexible, cost-effective workspaces are designed to support commercial teams as they scale.
Your future-ready lab space
While Europe battles a lab space shortage, in the Basel Area we’ve already built the future. Here, cutting-edge R&D spaces come move-in ready, fully-serviced and built for expansion. Shared lab desks, private labs, and entire buildings offer sustainable spaces that inspire, with unrivalled availability.
Let’s talk
Ready to grow? Bring your project to Europe’s life sciences hub and scale faster through unmatched connections.
FAQs
The Basel Area offers one of Europe’s most concentrated life sciences innovation ecosystems, 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.
Yes. The Basel Area is home to global headquarters 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.
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.
As one of the top life sciences clusters in Europe, the Basel Area Supercluster brings together a mix of global pharma companies, biotech startups, scale-ups, CROs, CDMOs, digital health companies and AI-driven innovators, creating a diverse and highly collaborative ecosystem.
Its combination of density, influence, proximity and collaboration. Life sciences companies, research institutions, service providers and talent are all located within a compact region, making it easier to partner, hire and move projects forward efficiently.