Switzerland positioned as innovation hub at KoreaBIO-SIP West EPFL MOU signing

A skilled labor force, particularly specialists and engineers, is crucial for innovation and production in the biotech sector. However, an increasing shortage of such talent, compounded by fierce internal competition among companies and an aging population, is making it harder to find qualified professionals.

Joël Savary, director of international markets at the Fribourg Development Agency in Switzerland, pointed out these issues during an MOU signing between the Korea Biotechnology Industry Organization (KoreaBIO) and the Switzerland Innovation Park Network West EPFL (SIP West EPFL) at the Embassy of Switzerland in Korea on Tuesday. 

The event, held as part of Korea-Switzerland Partnering Day, aimed to boost industry collaboration, promote technology exchange and joint R&D, and position Switzerland as an attractive hub for biotech firms.

SIP West EPFL is a national initiative of Switzerland that aims to attract both Swiss and foreign companies in need of advanced research and disruptive technologies to develop new markets. Located in Lausanne, it collaborates closely with the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) on various initiatives, including joint research projects, technology commercialization, and startup soft-landing programs. As a result, it has become a leading hub for bio and high-tech innovation clusters in Europe.

"Switzerland has a unique edge when it comes to attracting talent," Savary said. With a population of just 9 million, the country relies heavily on global recruitment, but its own diverse workforce lays a solid foundation for growth.

“What many don’t realize about Switzerland,” added Antoine Jourdan, director of SIP West EPFL, “is that despite its small size, the country has an incredibly dense and varied network of research institutions, spanning from fundamental research to applied science and patient care. This diversity is crucial for translating technology into real-world impact for patients.”

Currently, 20 percent of all European life science companies are based in Switzerland. Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli, Swiss Ambassador to Korea, highlighted that a key factor behind this success is the availability of highly qualified professionals, from lab technicians to top executives.

As of 2023, the Swiss life sciences sector employed around 90,000 people. Significant investment in research and development fueled this growth, she said, with both public and private sectors contributing about 2.5 billion Swiss francs annually—approximately 2.97 billion US dollars, or about 3 percent of Switzerland's GDP—to pharmaceutical R&D. “This creates clear pathways for Korean bio firms aiming to enter the European market through SIP West EPFL.”

Savary echoed these remarks, highlighting Switzerland's academic strengths. “Our institutions consistently produce experts across biotech, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and even fields like food transformation,” he said, adding that many of these professionals are ready to transition into biotech.

Switzerland’s strong educational framework, Savary added, allows companies to easily hire skilled workers and retrain professionals from other sectors, such as food processing, to become bioprocessing specialists.

But what really draws talent to Switzerland, Savary said, isn’t just the career opportunities; it’s the quality of life. “People don’t just come here for a job—they come for the safety, the stability, the lifestyle. Families move here knowing they’ll thrive.”

He contrasted Switzerland’s stability with the current political challenges in neighboring France, highlighting its collaborative political culture and openness to diverse cultures.

Switzerland’s central position in Europe also plays a big role. Positioned between key time zones—connecting the Americas and Asia—Switzerland benefits from its proximity to major European markets, including Germany, France, and Italy. Savary said this advantageous placement makes the country an “ideal hub for exchanging goods and ideas.”

Lee Seung-kyou, vice president of KoreaBIO, said that Korea is more passionate about technological advancement and innovation than ever before, and the bioindustry is growing within this context. Last year, bio-health-related exports in the country increased by 54 percent compared to the previous year. 

Lee emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations for managing their industrial ecosystems. “Based on the MOU signed today, KoreaBIO plans to foster closer ties with Swiss university laboratories,” he said. Through the exchange of technological expertise, he expressed hope that the innovations and talents from Korea and Switzerland will interact actively, “creating synergies that open new markets.”

Jourdan discussed the potential for Korean companies to explore new ventures and grow in the European market. He introduced Innosuisse, a Swiss government innovation agency focused on fostering research and innovation, explaining that Swiss firms can secure funding for up to 50 percent of their innovation project costs.

“While Switzerland does not traditionally provide direct funding to companies, we have mechanisms to support research in collaboration with businesses,” Jourdan clarified. He noted that the government finances academic research benefiting companies, allowing them to retain intellectual property.

Looking ahead, Switzerland’s national investment promotion strategy—part of the Federal Council's 2024-2027 foreign policy framework—focuses on the future of health. “The country aims to establish itself as a prime partner for Korean companies in this sector,” Tartagli said.