Takeda Neuchâtel receives the BioAlps Industry Award 2024
Share this article
The BioAlps Awards 2024 ceremony took place on 21 November 2024 at the University of Fribourg in front of around 250 key players from the Swiss Health Valley, at the end of the BioAlps Networking Day. The Neuchâtel site of the Japanese biotech company Takeda received the BioAlps Industry Prize 2024.
Takeda Neuchâtel produces three drugs that treat blood coagulation disorders or deficiencies, including Von Willebrand Factor, a protein required for blood coagulation. The BioAlps jury was keen to recognise the highly technical, innovative and unique cell culture process developed by Takeda to produce it.
Benjamin Jequier, Head of Manufacturing, and Caroline Anneron, Quality Manager, received the trophy on behalf of the company.
Sébastien Bourgeois, Director of the Takeda Neuchâtel production site, had a few words to say.
Why did Takeda choose French-speaking Switzerland as the location for its production site?
Takeda chose French-speaking Switzerland as the location for its production site for a number of strategic reasons. The region is at the heart of Swiss Health Valley, an ecosystem recognised worldwide for its expertise in life sciences, its know-how in advanced engineering, and its proximity to leading academic centres. Switzerland’s solid infrastructure, climate of innovation and economic and political stability are also major assets that will enable Takeda to carry out its projects on a long-term basis.
Takeda Neuchâtel has announced major investments for 2022 (over CHF 100 million). Is this a sign of confidence in the sustainability and stability of the Swiss Health Valley?
Absolutely. Our investments in 2022 reflect our confidence in Swiss Health Valley and our long-term commitment to the region. The stability of the economic and political environment in Switzerland is essential for Takeda and provides a fertile ground for high-quality research and production activities. The Swiss Health Valley offers a unique dynamic that stimulates innovation and helps us achieve our mission of providing essential treatments to our patients around the world.
What does this award from BioAlps and the representatives of Swiss Health Valley mean to you?
Receiving this award is an honour and recognition not only of the collective work of our teams, but also of our commitment to the life sciences ecosystem in French-speaking Switzerland. This award represents the confidence and appreciation of BioAlps and the Swiss Health Valley for our contribution in terms of innovation, sustainable development and strategic partnerships. It inspires us to continue our efforts and strengthen our role within this dynamic community.
How does Takeda see its future in Switzerland and its place within Swiss Health Valley?
Takeda sees a strong and promising future in Switzerland. We are convinced that the Swiss Health Valley will continue to grow as a centre of innovation and excellence in life sciences. Our ambition is to play a leading role in this ecosystem, by strengthening our presence and developing collaborations with local players, whether academic, industrial or institutional. Our vision is to contribute to the sustainable development of the region, while meeting the growing needs of patients worldwide.
What are Takeda Neuchâtel’s plans for the future?
Our aim is to increase our production capacity and explore new technologies to continue innovating our processes. We also intend to strengthen our sustainability initiatives by investing in eco-responsible infrastructures. In addition, we want to continue to invest in the development of our people and cultivate local talent. Takeda looks forward to playing an even more active role in the Swiss Health Valley, contributing to advances in life sciences and improving the health of patients worldwide.
About Takeda
Takeda is focused on creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. We aim to discover and deliver life-transforming treatments in our core therapeutic and business areas, including gastroenterology and inflammation, rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies, oncology, neuroscience and vaccines. Working with our partners, we aim to improve the patient experience and push the boundaries of treatment options through our dynamic and diverse pipeline. As a leading research and development-driven, values-driven biopharmaceutical company, Takeda is headquartered in Japan and is committed to patients, employees and the planet. Takeda employs around 50,000 people worldwide, including 1,700 in Switzerland, where it has its regional headquarters for Europe and Canada in Zurich and its production site in Neuchâtel. In Neuchâtel, Takeda produces recombinant therapies to treat various forms of haemophilia or blood coagulation deficiencies for the global market.
About BioAlps
BioAlps is the life sciences cluster for Western Switzerland. The association, which was set up in 2003, is supported by 15 academic institutions in French-speaking Switzerland and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. Its mission is to facilitate exchanges, create synergies and promote innovation between the players in the Swiss Health Valley: universities, colleges, hospitals, authorities, businesses, scientists, research centres, start-ups, innovation and entrepreneurship support organisations, etc.
The BioAlps Awards have been presented since 2008. In 2023, the Industry Prize was awarded to Dr Igor Fisch and Dr Nicolas Mermod, co-founders of Selexis (now KBI Biopharma). The Academy Prize was awarded to Prof. Hervé Bourlard, former Director of Idiap. In 2024, the BioAlps Academia Award 2024 was awarded to the Swiss Cancer Center Leman, and the BioAlps Industry Award 2024 was awarded to Takeda Neuchâtel.
📸Picture: Benjamin Jequier, Head of manufacturing, Takeda Neuchâtel and Caroline Anneron, quality Directeur, Takeda Neuchâtel (both in the centre). With Prof. Antoine Geissbuhler, President, BioAlps (right), and Ana Pinto, Neuchâtel Economy (left).
Monica Pedreira
Communication Manager
Communication Department Site (Neuchâtel) Global Manufacturing & Supply (GMS)
Baxalta Manufacturing Sàrl
Route de Pierre-à-Bot 111
CH – 2000 Neuchâtel / Switzerland
+41 79 374 76.43
Sandra Ansanay-Alex
Communication & Event Manager
BioAlps Association
Avenue de Sécheron 15
1202 Geneva
+ 41 78 264 84 14