Posts by Magali Bischof

Is Swiss Venture Capital now rising too fast?   A few years back, Swiss pension funds remained cautious when it came to 2 digit investments and above. However, their outlook on innovation and growth stage financing is now changing.   Funds such as Swisscanto, which belongs to the Zürcher Kantonalbank, or the Swiss Entrepreneur Fund,…

Scientists from EPFL’s BionanoPhotonic Systems (BIOS) Laboratory have created a powerful sensor which will be able to support at-home disease identification.   Their work combines optics and smart image analysis on a chip, capable of identifying and analyzing the number of biomarkers in a small sample.   Read the full EPFL article      

Prof Pantaleo’s work published as part of the “Milestones” edition of Nature.   In this edition, Nature identifies the 21 milestones which have greatly contributed to HIV research since the 1980s. Prof Pantaleo’s work, on the virus’ capacity to conceal itself in the lymphoid tissues, is acknowledged as one of the key milestones in worldwide…

SOPHiA GENETICS was awarded the 2019 Tech Tour Growth Award out of a pool of 50 companies.   The selecting committee were thoroughly impressed by the companies capacity to grow rapidly and steadily. Indeed, not only has SOPHiA GENETICS‘ team grown to reach over 250 employees in 8 years, but the quality of the team’s…

The EPFL’s Blue Brain Project has identified how to mathematically determine a neuron type classification based on the neuron’s shape.   With this discovery, Prof. Markram’s team can now tackle the task of classifying all types of neurons present in the human brain. This breakthrough is a tremendous milestone achievement towards mapping the human brain.…

UNIGE and UNIL scientists have discovered that clofazimine can be used to reduce tumors in the case of “triple negative” breast cancer.   This cancer type, responsible for over 50% of breast cancer deaths, tends to be extremely resistant to existing treatments. The use of clofazimine blocks the Wnt cellular communication channels. This affects, in turn, the spreading of…

Imitating the complexity of cellular function while having access to a simpler system which can be mathematically altered.   Scientists from EPFL’s Laboratory of Biological Network Characterization (LBNC) have developed a ‘cell-free’ system which reenacts the functions of the normal biological processes. This method enables diagnosis and research on a large scale, with lower costs,…

Aktiia’s cuffless blood pressure measurement device only needs calibrating every two months   Aktiia’s founders have worked for the past 15 years on the technology behind their optical blood pressure monitor wearable at the wrist. Other blood monitoring devices exist and require calibration every day. However, aktiia’s technology provides valid results and only needs calibration…

On 14 March 2019, the Digital Health Hub was launched @Biopôle   The Digital Health Hub was inaugurated today @Biopôle SA. This new center of excellence is fully dedicated to digital health and will address the growing demand for a forum and gathering point to accelerate the development of patient-focused digital solutions. Based @Biopôle, this…

Intake of Vitamin B3 analogue increases blood cell creation and in-turn positively impacts leukemia and aggressive lymphomas treatments.   Scientists from the EPFL and UNIL/Ludwig Cancer Research have discovered that the intake of nicotinamide riboside (vitamin B3 analogue) increases the production of red blood cells. The creation of these fresh cells helps counter the loss of…