This year, PharmaKorell once again participated in the Swiss Biotech Day. Dr Konrad Dreizler, Dr Frank Wienen and Dr Ulrich Korell represented the company in Basel. As a member of the renowned Swiss Biotech Association, we took the opportunity to attend the general assembly, selected presentations, panel discussions and networking events to identify current industry trends and initiate new partnerships.
In the following brief interview with Konrad, we share some key impressions and highlights from the event.
This was your first time attending the Swiss Biotech Day in Basel. How did the event begin for you?
The Swiss Biotech Day opened with a Welcome Reception at the Markthalle Basel on Sunday evening. The informal setting with standing tables, drinks and snacks provided an ideal environment for networking. There was a strong turnout, and the atmosphere was open and engaging – it was easy to start conversations and make new contacts.
What were your main impressions of the first day, particularly regarding the General Assembly and the technical presentations?
The main exhibition day began on Monday for Ulrich and me. While the exhibition stands were still being set up, we took the opportunity to align internally.
At 10 a.m., we attended the General Assembly of the Swiss Biotech Association. The 2024 Annual Report was presented, key achievements from the past year were reviewed, members voted on strategic matters, new board members were introduced, and a preview of 2025 was shared. Two emerging companies from Basel also presented their projects.
The remainder of the day included numerous short presentations by biotech companies at various stages of development. These sessions were complemented by discussions at the exhibition stands, where attendees had the chance to connect with potential clients and explore collaborative opportunities.
There were also numerous panel discussions. A particular highlight for me was the Swissmedic session, where three companies shared their experiences with the regulatory approval process and identified areas for potential improvement.
How was the second day of the event for you?
On Tuesday, I attended the exhibition with Frank. I initially focused on international delegations and had valuable conversations with participants from Estonia, Taiwan, South Korea and Australia. Later in the day, I joined further presentations and panel discussions that introduced innovative biotech initiatives.
One particular highlight was the presentation by Basilea. The company develops antifungal and antibacterial therapies. The session focused on three pipeline products: Fosmanogepix (antifungal: candidaemia/invasive candidiasis), BAL2062 (antifungal: invasive aspergillosis), and BAL2420 (antibacterial: severe Enterobacteriaceae infections).
I also found the short presentation by BeiGene, titled “Building a New Model for Oncology Innovation”, to be highly compelling. The company’s rapid growth and the increasing number of patients it now serves were particularly noteworthy. In addition, it was announced that the company will be rebranding under the new name BeOne in the future.
Will PharmaKorell participate again next year?
The Swiss Biotech Day is a well-structured and insightful event. We certainly plan to participate again next year.
