Biopôle science park is a dynamic research community that brings together academic institutes and companies involved in the life sciences. Founded in 2004 by Vaud Canton, it offers top-flight facilities, common work spaces and high-value services, all designed to foster innovation and promote business development. Biopôle is home to more than 50 companies and research groups, including the headquarters of several multinationals, along with numerous cutting-edge SMEs and highly promising startups, some of which are based in the park’s StartLab incubator. Biopôle also hosts a number of tech and other service providers. More than 25 world-renowned research groups are located on site, most of which are run by the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the University of Lausanne (UNIL) or the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. More than 1,200 people work at Biopôle, and this number is set to grow rapidly: a further 40,000m2 of office and lab space is scheduled to be built between 2018 and 2020.
There is relatively little purely manufacturing equipment available at Biopôle. On-site equipment – which includes a GMP manufacturing platform and cell production equipment – is either used for research or clinical development by the research groups or owned by Biopôle companies. Access to this equipment is granted on a case-by-case basis (e.g. in the event of a collaborative project, partnership, etc.).
Biopôle is home to more than 25 research groups, primarily from the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), the University of Lausanne (UNIL) and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research. Biopôle's academic partners provide unique expertise, collaborative opportunities and access to cutting-edge tech platforms. The below image groups all tech platforms.
Plateformes technologiques Biopôle
Biopôle SA owns a total of 80,000m2 of land and has building development rights on a further 134,000m2. So far, 33,000m2 of land has been developed. Construction work is scheduled to be completed on a further 40,000m2 as follows: • SE-B building: 9,000m2, January 2018 • SE-A building: 1,750m2, March 2018 • CSS building: 1,850m2, May 2018 • Ludwig Center: 9,000m2, 2019 • SB-A building: 9,750m2, March 2020 • SB-B building: 9,500m2, December 2020
Biopôle hosts projects related to the life sciences sector and welcomes research labs, production labs and companies in need of office space. StartLab offers business incubator services.
To strengthen synergies, Biopôle members get direct access to these platforms and the expertise of the various research groups. On top of that, the StartLab incubator offers shared laboratory facilities. On top of that, the StartLab incubator offers shared laboratory facilities.
Biopôle has the advantage of being located in an urban setting. There is an array of services either on site or nearby, including a bank, pharmacy, medical center, supermarket, restaurants, hotels, a conference center and meeting rooms. Biopôle members can also count on a broad range of partner service providers that offer their services on preferential terms. In addition, Biopôle organizes various scientific and networking events.
Biopôle is home to more than 50 companies and research groups, including ADC Therapeutics, Incyte and Nestlé Health Science. The full list of companies and research groups and a description of what they do is available on the right (button). These companies are active in the following key fields:
• Oncology • Immunology • Personalized medicine • Nutrition • Neurology
• Bioinformatics • Diagnostics • Medtech and medical devices • Digital and connected health
The only requirement for companies and institutes wishing to move to Biopôle is that they must be active in the field of life sciences. To gain access to StartLab's facilities, support and other services, companies must submit an application.
Biopôle is located in an urban neighborhood on the north side of Lausanne. It is very easy to get to: • By car: there are two A9 highway exits nearby. There is parking at Biopôle and at the Vennes park & ride. • By public transport: Biopôle is 15 minutes from the Lausanne train station on the M2 metro line (Vennes or Croisettes stops). The Lausanne train station is one hour from Geneva and 2.5 hours from Zurich and Basel. • By plane: Geneva airport is a 45-minute drive (65km) away. Aquatis, a three-star hotel and conference center, is located on the Biopôle site. It has 140 rooms, a restaurant and meeting rooms that can hold up to 300 people.
