2024: A Year of Growth and Innovation at Biopôle

2024 was a landmark year for Biopôle-based companies, underscoring the campus’s reputation as a premier hub for life sciences innovation. With over CHF 246 million secured in funding, 25 new companies joining, significant commercial partnerships, and groundbreaking research advancements, Biopôle has been cultivating for 20 years a thriving ecosystem that propels healthcare and biotechnology forward.

Record-Breaking Fundraising Rounds

Biopôle companies attracted substantial investment in 2024, demonstrating the strength and potential of their cutting-edge innovations. Among the top fundraising achievements:

• ADC Therapeutics: Secured $105 million to advance cancer therapies.
• Arga Medtech: Closed an oversubscribed €54 million Series B funding round.
• Vandria: Raised $30.7 million in Series A for mitophagy-based therapies.
• Orbis Medicines: Secured €26 million in seed financing for biopharmaceutical advancements.
• Volumina Medical: Raised $21 million to support its regenerative medicine clinical programs.

Grants Fueling Innovation

Beyond private investments, Biopôle-based companies benefited from prestigious grants, driving progress across various fields:

• Cellestia Biotech: Awarded a CHF 2 million grant from Innosuisse.
• Novigenix: Led a project securing a €1.75 million grant for liquid biopsy research.
• PeriVision, Inselspital, and the University of Bern: Received CHF 1.1 million to develop retinal disease diagnostics.
• Limula: Secured CHF 500,000 in FIT Tech Growth loan funding.
• Nexco Analytic: Awarded a CHF 100,000 FIT Tech Seed loan.
• Neuria: Received CHF 150,000 from Venture Kick for digital health solutions targeting obesity.

Major Commercial Agreements

Biopôle companies also made significant strides in global partnerships, solidifying their role in the life sciences industry. The standout deal of the year was Haya Therapeutics’ $1 billion agreement with Eli Lilly, focusing on obesity and metabolic conditions. Other notable partnerships included:

• AKYmed & Rara Avis Biotec: Advancing reproductive biotechnology solutions.
• Aspivix & Bayer Schweiz: Collaborating to transform gynecological procedures.
• Atinary & Takeda/Snapdragon Chemistry: Driving AI-powered drug discovery.
• Impli & Bayer: Enhancing hormone monitoring technologies.
• PeriVision & Genentech (Roche’s US division): Partnering for a clinical trial agreement.

25 new companies joined Biopôle in 2024

In 2024, Biopôle welcomed at least 25 new companies. Most of them are startups or SMEs (96%). Shared spaces, like StartLab, Superlab, DH2, or other coworking spaces are particularly attractive for these organisations, as 50% of the newbies choosing to join one of them. Avenza, BioLizard, Evidone, Neuria or Kisco are now Biopôle’s residents !

➡️ Sources: Biopôle SA. 📸 Biopôle SA.