A retrospective by Ruedi Gygax and Matthias Staehelin

Founded in 1996, BioValley Basel emerged from the visionary goal of uniting the life sciences sectors of Alsace (France), South Baden (Germany), and Northwestern Switzerland. As one of Europe's pioneering initiatives it has fostered cross-border collaboration and innovation for three decades. In celebration of its 30th anniversary, BioValley Basel reflects on its journey.

Panel

Claus Bolte, Vice President of the University Hospital Basel (USB)

Georg Därendinger, Member Executive Board and Head Communications Interpharma

Saskia Schenker, CEO of prio.swiss, the industry association of Swiss health insurers.

Michael Wacker, General Partner at BiomedVC

Matthias Staehelin, President BioValley Basel (Moderator)

US pricing threats create urgent strategic imperatives for the Swiss and European pharmaceutical industry. The panel seeks to discuss implactions for the European and Swiss pharma industry with the following questions:

· What is the role of health economics and value pricing in rewarding innovative products with fast decisions?

· Could novel pricing models ensure sustainable access to therapies?

· How can the Swiss legal and regulatory framework evolve to accelerate patient access to innovation?

· Will we be able to leverage digital health and Real-World Evidence for dynamic, outcomes-based pricing models?

· Or will raising drug prices in Europe or cutting out middlemen be viable answers to maintain global competitiveness?

Dr. med Claus Bolte, MBA, is Vice President of the University Hospital Basel (USB). He previously worked for many years at the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, most recently as Chief Medical Officer. Before that, he headed the Clinical Assessment division and later the Authorisation sector, also serving as Deputy CEO. Prior to Swissmedic, Claus Bolte held roles in research and lifecycle management for global pharma, biotech, and medtech companies in the USA, Great Britain, and Switzerland. A surgeon by training, he has broad international experience in trauma, transplantation, and tumour surgery.

Georg Därendinger is a senior communications and public affairs professional with extensive experience in the Swiss political and corporate environment. He is currently Member of the Executive Board and Head of Communications at Interpharma, leading the overall communications strategy. He brings strong expertise in political analysis, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications in Switzerland. Previously, he held senior public affairs and communications roles at Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) and Swiss Post. He also worked for FDP (The Liberals) Switzerland and in the energy and telecommunications sectors. Georg Därendinger has a background in journalism and communication and a Master’s degree in European Studies.

Saskia Schenker is CEO of prio.swiss, the industry association of Swiss health insurers. Founded in 2025, prio.swiss and its members represent 100 percent of the insured. Ms. Schenker serves on the board of directors of the inpatient tariff structure organisation SwissDRG and the outpatient physician tariff structure organisation OAAT. She studied political science and earned an Executive MBA with a focus on finance from the Universities of Bern and Rochester (USA). From 2021 to 2025, she was Director of Arbeitgeberverband Region Basel. She was also politically active for the FDP for many years, serving as a Cantonal Councillor (BL) until mid-2025.

Dr. Michael Wacker is a seasoned entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the life science industry and a General Partner at BiomedVC, where he leverages his expertise to drive success for biotech companies. He is currently co-founder and a board member of several start-up companies, including NXI Therapeutics, Salvina Therapeutics, Tolremo, and Topas Therapeutics. He co-founded GlycoVaxyn and developed the company as board member and Chief Scientific Officer until it was acquired by GSK for USD 212m in February 2015. Michael Wacker holds an MSc in biochemistry and completed his PhD and post-doctoral fellowship in microbiology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), where he invented a breakthrough vaccine development technology.

Please register for the event via the following button by Tuesday, 11 August 2026. Places are limited, early registrations have priority.