On Saturday October 29, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin formally opened the Main Campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area on schedule. Around 200 guests attended the official opening ceremony of Switzerland’s most modern innovation park, which is located in the Bachgraben area of Allschwil in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. The three supporting cantons of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area were represented by cantonal ministers Thomas Weber (Basel-Landschaft), Kaspar Sutter (Basel-Stadt), and Jacques Gerber (Jura).

According to a press release, Parmelin stated in his opening speech: “The Basel Area life science cluster is not only of vital importance for the Swiss economy, but it also occupies a leading position in Europe and the world.” He is convinced that the innovation park will “further enhance the region’s importance”. Raymond Cron, CEO of Switzerland Innovation, expressed his desire that the new innovation campus establish itself as an international beacon for innovative projects in the field of health and life sciences in Switzerland.

Designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron

Spanning 50,000 square meters, the cluster provides workplaces for around 2,000 individuals. The building was designed by the Basel-based architects Herzog & De Meuron. The plans were realized by the building contractor Senn Resources.

According to the information provided, approximately 70 percent of the laboratory and office space in the main campus is currently being rented out to 38 companies and institutes. This includes the University of Basel, numerous startups, plus large companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Basilea. There are now four sites in the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, which is being operated by the investment and innovation promotion agency Basel Area Business & Innovation. It is one of six innovation parks in the Switzerland Innovation foundation’s national network.