Cluster expertise

Immunology is the complex and exciting branch of biomedical science concerned with the physiological responses of the body’s immune system, the recognition of self and not self, and all the biological, serological, and physical chemical effects of immune reactions. The field covers autoimmune disease, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency and transplant science among others.

One of the most diverse and dynamic biopharmaceutical market, immunology is forecast to reach over $138 billion in worldwide sales by 2016, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3 percent and is expected to account for nearly 20 percent of the global pharmaceutical market by 2016¹. Recent bibliographic studies rank Switzerland first for the number of publications in immunology, and second and third respectively in molecular biology and pharmacology², demonstrating the vibrancy of research in the country. It is no surprise that the blockbuster drug to treat multiple sclerosis, Rebif®, was developed in Western Switzerland.

Emerging diseases, micro-organism drug resistance, as well as personalised medicine and changing public health priorities provide a wealth of opportunity in the immunology field. The BioAlps region is uniquely poised, with its combination of fundamental research and applied sciences, to bring to market innovations in diagnostics, vaccines, monoclonal antibody and drug therapies.

The field of immunology converges with the field of oncology and research in the NCCR Molecular Oncology³ and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, which are researching tumour immunology and immunity, and cancer immunotherapy. Multinational companies such as UCB, who recently built a CHF 300 million production unit in the region, and Merck, market leading products in immunology, notably autoimmune disease, which are manufactured in state-of-the-art facilities in Switzerland. Founded by the previous head of Nestlé Global Research, the startup AC Immune is developing innovative therapeutics with “best in class” potential against Alzheimer's Disease and other conformational diseases along three axes: vaccines, antibodies and small molecules.

NovImmune, founded by cDNA cloning inventor Bernard Mach, specialises in discovering and developing compounds to treat the underlying causes of inflammatory diseases and immune-related disorders and AC Immune is a biopharmaceutical company and a leader in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) drug development, developing innovative therapeutics against AD along three axes: vaccines, antibodies and small molecules, was elected by the World Economic Forum as Technology Pioneer 2009 for its accomplishments as an innovation leader and for its breakthrough technologies.

It is this particular blend of academic knowhow and commercial savvy that is the reason why molecular diagnostics and point of care testing are specialties of the region, with companies like Abionic, Augurix and Biocartis working closely with leading academic institutions to leverage knowledge and science.

The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) manages several bioinformatics core facilities that help scientists around the world conduct their research and analyse their data, helping scientists under stand cellular biology and systems.