Damian Müller elected Swiss Medtech President

Damian Müller was elected President of Swiss Medtech at its last General Meeting. The 39-year-old Council of States member from Lucerne succeeds Beat Vonlanthen, who is handing over leadership of the Swiss medical technology association after six years.

The Assembly also elected two female entrepreneurs, Juliette von Arx, CEO of Lifestage Solutions AG, and Katrin Siebenbürger Hacki, CEO of Medows Sàrl, to the Board of Directors. State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), was welcomed as guest speaker at the well-attended General Meeting in Bern.

Damian Müller is the new President of Swiss Medtech. The 39-year-old Council of States member from Canton Lucerne expressed his thanks for the trust placed in him and said following his election: «The medtech sector is an extremely important asset for both the Swiss economy and the provision of healthcare. I believe communicating this value to the outside world is one of my most important tasks as Swiss Medtech President.» Damian Müller has served on the Board for the past year and succeeds Beat Vonlanthen who successfully guided the association through challenging circumstances over the past six years.

The Assembly also elected two businesswomen – both with over twenty years of experience in the medtech industry – to the Board of Directors. Juliette von Arx is CEO of the trading and tech company Lifestage Solutions AG and replaces Harald Schatzl, a long-standing Board member. Katrin Siebenbürger Hacki is CEO of the Lausanne-based company Medows Sàrl and will play a key role in developing Swiss Medtech in the French-speaking Romandie region.

Guest speaker, State Secretary Helene Budliger Artieda, Director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), was welcomed by approximately 200 representatives of the Swiss medtech industry. Ms Budliger Artieda addressed «Economic policy in uncertain times», emphasising that interfering industrial policies and protectionism (both of which are currently on the rise) are not the right path for Switzerland.

«Switzerland’s integration into international supply chains and markets remains key. SECO is working tirelessly – also in the interest of diversification and resilience – to promote free trade and remove technical barriers which hinder trading. At the same time, we are doing everything we can to consolidate and expand the favourable framework conditions in Switzerland. In this way, we can ensure a strong foundation for our innovative and productive companies, such as those in the medtech sector.»

Source: press release