Join us for a DEEP DIVE focused on how AI is transforming due diligence and venture building in life sciences, on Monday 23 November 2026 at Biopôle, in Lausanne.

BioAlps and Biopôle are delighted to present DEEP DIVE: The Augmented Investor, an exclusive event putting the spotlight on what investors are seeing that you aren’t.

AI is now part of the investor’s toolkit. Investors use it in due diligence to screen opportunities, analyse markets and technologies faster, and support their decisions with better data.

Venture builders use it to back their projects with the most up-to-date information and a stronger business case. For life sciences entrepreneurs, knowing how investors use these tools, and using them yourself, is quickly becoming a competitive advantage.

During this DEEP DIVE, our experts will look at how AI can shape analysis, due dilligence and decision-making for investors. Furthermore, entrepreneurs will gain invaluable insights on how AI can help build a strong fundraising strategy, prepare investor-ready data room and drive growth.

If you’re a startup or a scale-up, don’t miss this chance to see how AI is changing the funding game and to connect with peers, investors and experts across the Life Sciences ecosystem.

Programme

4.45 pm | Welcoming attendees (please join by 5.00 pm for a timely start)

5.00 pm | Welcome

• Magali Bischof, Secretary General, BioAlps
• Pierre-Jean Wipff, Innovation & Partnership Director, Biopôle

5.10 pm | Presentations

• Vincent Favrat, CEO & Founder, On Venture Studio SA
• Antoine Trannoy, Managing Partner, Jolt Capital

6.00 pm | Panel – Q&A

6.25 pm | Networking & Apero

8.00 pm | End of the eventent

➡️ Register here

📍 Biopôle – Phenyl building, route de la Corniche 3, 1066 Epalinges  |
🗣 Language | English
⚠️ Participation is complimentary for attendees whose organisation is located in Western Switzerland. A fee of CHF 50 applies to all other participants.

If you have any questions, please send an email to contact@bioalps.org.

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Biopôle SA is delighted to announce that Bewe has been awarded the Pre-Clinical Top-Up, marking the next phase of a long-standing relationship between our campus and the University of Fribourg spin-off, which is developing a neuroscience-based digital intervention for unhealthy food cravings.

Indeed, Bewe previously participated in Biopôle’s Investment Readiness Programme and Start-Up Fund, which not only financed R&D and infrastructure but also helped the start-up’s team hone their business plan and investment strategy.

Having now secured CHF 2m from a range of investors – including Arcanys Ventures, Capital Risque Fribourg, Kickfund, the Fondation pour l’Innovation et la Technologie (FIT) and Swisspreneur – Bewe is eligible for and has been awarded the Pre-Clinical Top-Up, a convertible loan of CHF 250,000 which is designed to support start-ups facing high clinical validation costs.

Advancing the clinical evidence

Bewe will use the funding to accelerate a series of clinical studies designed to generate evidence for its digital therapy in combination with anti-obesity medication. The company is collaborating with academics at Stanford University and the Centre Pluridisciplinaire Neuchâtelois de l’Obésité, a multi-expert weight management clinic in Neuchâtel, to evaluate how behavioural therapy can improve long-term treatment outcomes and reduce weight regain after medication is discontinued.

‘This feels like a full circle moment: Biopôle has been instrumental in our journey from an early-stage spin-off to a company preparing for clinical validation and international expansion,’ said Frédérik Plourde, CEO of Bewe. ‘This funding will enable us to generate the real-world evidence needed to unlock further partnerships with healthcare providers, payers and the pharmaceutical industry as we prepare for our next stage of growth.’

An exciting road ahead

Over the next year, Bewe will start enrolling patients into its US and Swiss clinical trials alongside launching its AI-powered Digital Twin platform, which is designed to deliver personalised cognitive interventions and enhance treatment effectiveness. Looking further ahead, the company aims to reach 1 million users and expand its clinically validated platform beyond obesity into other addictive behaviours, including alcohol and nicotine, across Switzerland, Europe, the UK and the US.


Source: Press Release

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Spineart, a global fast-growing company in spine surgery innovation, and eCential Robotics today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance for the PERLA® TL application (PERLA® by Spineart app) for use with the eCential® Op.n® Navigation and Robotic-Assisted Platform.

Building on the previously established compatibility between PERLA® and the Op.n® navigation platform, the FDA clearance now extends the solution to robotic-assisted workflows. This advancement enables surgeons to leverage integrated navigation and robotics technologies to support implant placement accuracy, workflow efficiency, and procedural confidence in both open and minimally invasive spine procedures.

This milestone represents a significant advancement in Spineart’s strategy to deliver a comprehensive enabling technologies ecosystem and provides surgeons with high navigation and robotic-assisted capabilities when using the PERLA® TL Open and MIS pedicle screw systems.

The PERLA® app will operate seamlessly on the Op.n® platform, bringing together implant technology, real-time navigation, and robotic assistance within a unified workflow designed to support consistent procedural execution and high standards of patient care.

“This is an exciting milestone for our PERLA® range and for our commitment to innovation in spine surgery. Together with eCential Robotics, we are introducing a truly collaborative robotic platform that brings simplicity, precision, and active robotics capabilities together to help redefine the surgical experience for spine surgeons and their patients”, said Laurent Nodé-Langlois, Chief Technology Officer at Spineart.

“Spineart has been a trusted partner and one of the first to believe in our vision for an open robotic platform. We are incredibly grateful for the trust and collaboration they have brought to this journey. Together, we have created a seamless workflow that combines Spineart’s implant expertise with eCential’s navigation and robotics technology. This FDA clearance represents an important milestone for both organizations and demonstrates what is possible when two teams unite around a shared commitment to advancing spine surgery,” said Lisa Jacobs, President, North America at eCential Robotics.

As hospitals and surgeons increasingly adopt navigation and robotic-assisted technologies, this addition further strengthens Spineart’s comprehensive portfolio of spine technologies and reinforces the company’s commitment to providing surgeons with innovative solutions backed by clinical evidence, global experience, and a relentless focus on patient outcomes.

Source: Press Release | PERLA® TL – Spineart

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The Biopôle-based startup announced a $40M Series A funding round to build the automated lab for agentic biology, led by Highland Europe, with existing investors Ace Ventures, ByFounders and Y Combinator doubling down.

Last week, they shared their work with Anthropic. Claude designed proteins, sent them to Adaptyv‘s automated wet lab, and got real experimental data back.

They believe this is where biology is going: AI agents designing experiments, running them in automated wet labs, learning from the results and iterating.

But AI can only move as fast as the experiments behind it. To use the potential of AI to cure all diseases, there’s a need to build high-throughput wet lab infrastructure: a “biological gigafactory”. That’s exactly what Adaptyv is doing.

Over the past year they have grown their lab throughput by over 5x and onboarded more than 100 customers, ranging from bio AI labs like Chai Discovery and Boltz to pharmas like Roche and Novo Nordisk to dozens and dozens of new startups that use AI to radically speed up drug discovery.

Now they are scaling: doubling their team in Lausanne and opening a new office and lab in London in Q4 2026.

Source: Press Release

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Spineart announces that the BAGUERA® C cervical disc has received FDA approval for 1 and 2 contiguous levels, expanding access in the United States to a motion-preserving solution for patients suffering from cervical disc disease. 

As one of Spineart’s foundational technologies and a cornerstone of its cervical portfolio, BAGUERA® C brings nearly two decades of international clinical experience to a market with relatively few cervical disc replacement options. Since its introduction, over 80,000 devices have been sold worldwide, establishing a long track record of clinical use.  

The FDA approval is supported by two randomized controlled trials with nearly 600 patients enrolled in the United States. Additional clinical evidence, including a 10-year follow-up study published in The European Spine Journal in 2023, demonstrated that 85% of implants maintained motion a decade after treatment, providing long-term data on preservation of motion at the treated level. 

“This approval represents an important milestone for Spineart and for surgeons seeking an alternative to spinal fusion in appropriately selected patients,” said Jerome Trividic, CEO of Spineart. “With nearly 20 years of international experience and proven long-term clinical outcomes, BAGUERA® C delivers robust evidence and real-world performance.” 

The addition of BAGUERA® C in the United States further strengthens Spineart’s comprehensive portfolio of spine technologies and reinforces the company’s commitment to providing surgeons with innovative solutions backed by clinical evidence, global experience, and a relentless focus on patient outcomes. 


Source: Press Release

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The 15 winners of the FutureHealth Lausanne 2025 Innovation Challenge – selected by the FutureHealth Ecosystem – have been unveiled.

For the first time, FutureHealth Lausanne carried out an Innovation Challenge – powered by the Canton of Vaud, Biopôle, BioAlps and the city of Lausanne.

Health Innovators had the opportunity to showcase their innovative solutions to high-level decision-makers and key opinion leaders.

On 30 September, the top five winners will pitch their breakthrough solutions live on stage, showcasing ideas set to transform healthcare.
Three companies from the Swiss Health Valley have been selected:

• • Artiria Medical
  • Lagosta
  • Virtuosis AI

Participants of the FutureHealth Lausanne 2025 will get to explore all 15 selected winning solutions in the innovation zone.

Join us on 30 September, to connect with leaders, decision-makers, and visionaries who are actively shaping the future of healthcare.

You’ll witness groundbreaking solutions, discover emerging innovations, and engage directly with the people turning ambition into action!

Source: FutureHealth Lausanne

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Oculis Holding AG, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on innovations addressing ophthalmic and neuro-ophthalmic diseases with significant unmet medical needs, announced that it has amended its loan facility (the “Amended Loan Agreement”) with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock (the “Lender”).

The Amended Loan Agreement replaces the prior loan agreement between Oculis and the Lender dated May 29, 2024, and the upsized structure will provide CHF 75.0 million in borrowing capacity (which may be increased to up to CHF 100.0 million) (the “Loan”).

The Loan comprises tranches 1, 2 and 3, in the amounts of CHF 25.0 million each, as well as an additional loan of up to CHF 25.0 million, which may be made available by the Lender to Oculis on mutually agreed terms. No amounts were drawn at signing.

Access to this additional capital offers significant financial flexibility beyond Oculis’ current cash reserves as the Company moves toward upcoming key milestones across all three core assets: regulatory discussions with the FDA on three indications investigated with Privosegtor (OCS-05) for acute optic neuritis, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuritis (NAION), and treatment of acute relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) during 2H 2025; initiation of Licaminlimab (OCS-02) Phase 2/3 trial for dry eye disease in 2H 2025; initiation of Privosegtor (OCS-05) Phase 2/3 trial for acute optic neuritis in 1H 2026; OCS-01 Phase 3 DIAMOND trials’ topline results in Q2 2026, and if positive, its first NDA filing in 2H 2026.

Riad Sherif, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Oculis, said, “We are pleased to have upsized our previous loan agreement with funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, which expands an instrument allowing enhanced flexibility to ensure the future financial and operational strength of Oculis. Our current robust cash position provides runway into early 2028, which is further strengthened by the loan facility, as we remain focused on advancing our portfolio of differentiated assets and bringing transformative treatments to those who need them most.”

Source: press release 

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A shared perspective on two podcast episodes at the heart of Geneva’s scientific life.

How can academic research, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and patient impact come together and speak the same language?Through the first two episodes of the Where Science Talks podcast, Campus Biotech gives voice to the people shaping a vibrant and interconnected ecosystem.

Campus Biotech: a catalyst for innovation in life sciences

In the first episode, Erwin Bottinger (CEO of the Wyss Center, a nonprofit neurotechnology venture builder translating R&D into clinical and market impact), Antonio Gambardella (Director of FONGIT, Geneva’s incubator for tech start-ups), and Nicolas Vachicouras (CEO and co-founder of Neurosoft Bioelectronics, a start-up developing next-generation brain interfaces) share a common belief: Campus Biotech provides a unique environment where research, entrepreneurship and industrialization reinforce one another.

Listen to the podcast

Swiss Health Valley: a regional dynamic driven by BioAlps

In the second episode, Magali Bischof, Secretary General of BioAlps, and Sebastien Mazzuri, Director of R&I at the Esperare Foundation, provide a complementary perspective at the regional level.

The Swiss Health Valley encompasses all life sciences stakeholders in Western Switzerland: research institutes, hospitals, innovative SMEs, major corporations, cantons and innovation hubs.

BioAlps acts as a catalyst for interaction — identifying experts, fostering connections, and raising the visibility of talent and projects.
“The diversity of the ecosystem is its greatest strength,” notes Magali Bischof, who highlights the importance of inter-cantonal collaboration and the key role of events in sparking meaningful encounters.

Based at Campus Biotech, the Esperare Foundation illustrates an original model that combines philanthropic funding with a therapeutic development mindset.

Listen to the podcast 

A Territory of Impact, from Local to Global

What emerges from both episodes is the power of intelligent network—from the site itself to the broader region. Campus Biotech acts as a point of convergence: a place for creation, exchange with key institutions and partners, and co-development.

Closely connected to it, the Swiss Health Valley provides the regional foundation in which these dynamics take root. BioAlps plays a key role in orchestrating this ecosystem: the team connects stakeholders, promotes projects, and supports initiatives on the ground.

Rooted in Geneva and Western Switzerland, yet international by nature, this ecosystem draws on the density of talent, the complementarity of approaches, and the fluidity of individual trajectories. All with a shared goal: to turn science into tangible, accessible, and patient-relevant solutions.

Source: Campus Biotech

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Three life sciences projects from Geneva have been awarded funding through the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF), underscoring the canton’s strong commitment to driving innovation and advancing sustainable solutions.

CHF 100,000 FIF Seed Loan awarded to BrainScape Medical: Creating Solutions for Optimised Brain Health Management

BrainScape Medical, a Geneva-based life sciences startup supported by the Wyss Center and led by CEO & co-founder Laura Johnson, PhD, has been granted a FIF Seed Loan of CHF 100,000. The company is developing an end-to-end solution to solve the many problems of current brain disorder management and care. Their technology focuses on providing brain monitoring options designed for easy, patient-friendly, and long-term use outside the clinic. This funding will support the further development and clinical validation of their innovative solutions.

CHF 50,000 FIF Grant awarded to AnimalCare Engineering: Revolutionizing Pet Health Monitoring

AnimalCare Engineering has received a FIF Grant of CHF 50,000 to advance its mission of enhancing pet health through innovative monitoring technologies. This life sciences project, supported by CERN Venture Connect and led by co-founders Anna Kolano, PhD and Katarzyna Stachyra, MEng, is developing cutting-edge devices that provide real-time health insights for pets, empowering veterinarians and pet owners to ensure optimal care. This grant will facilitate the refinement and testing of their health monitoring systems, notably for diabetes diagnosis in pets.

CHF 400,000 FIF Growth Loan awarded to EarlySight: Advancing Retinal Disease Diagnostics

EarlySight, an EPFL spin-off based in Geneva led by CEO Timothé Laforest, has been granted a FIF Growth Loan of CHF 400,000 after having previously been awarded a CHF 100,000 FIF Seed Loan in 2023. This life sciences startup is pioneering a novel imaging technology that enables single-cell level visualization of the retina, facilitating early detection and monitoring of retinal diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. This funding will support the scaling of their technology and expansion into new markets.

About the FONGIT Innovation Fund (FIF)

The FIF supports innovative startups and scale-ups in the Canton of Geneva that are actively working towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Entrepreneurs can apply for three types of financing: the FIF Grant (up to CHF 50,000), the FIF Seed Loan (up to CHF 100,000), and the FIF Growth Loan (up to CHF 400,000).

The next FIF application deadline is 21 May. Learn more and apply at.

Source: press release
:EarlySight: Mathieu Kunzi, CTO & Co-founder, and Timothé Laforest, CEO & Co-founder

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