Switzerland's most modern innovation park opened
Three years after the groundbreaking ceremony, the Main Campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area was opened on October 29, 2022. Among the approximately 200 guests at the official opening ceremony in Allschwil were Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and members of the governments of the three sponsoring cantons of Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt and Jura.
The innovation park, which claims to be the most modern in Switzerland, was officially opened on Saturday, October 29, 2022 in the presence of Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin. "The Basel Area's life sciences cluster is not only of enormous importance to the Swiss economy, but also occupies a leading position in Europe and worldwide. I am convinced that the Main Campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area will further enhance the importance of the region," said the head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, in his speech. Around 200 guests from business and politics attended the opening ceremony in the Bachgraben area in Allschwil, directly on the Basel city border. The three sponsoring cantons of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area were represented by Cantonal Councillors Thomas Weber (BL), Kaspar Sutter (BS) and Jacques Gerber (JU), who appeared together with Federal Councillor Parmelin at a panel discussion. At the opening ceremony, various personalities expressed their wishes for the future of the Main Campus, including Raymond Cron, CEO of Switzerland Innovation: "I wish the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area to establish itself as an international beacon for innovative projects in the health and life sciences sector." The Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area with its four locations is one of six innovation parks in the national network of the Switzerland Innovation Foundation.
The Main Campus, which has now opened, was designed by architects Herzog & de Meuron and realized by developer Senn Resources AG. Currently, around 70 percent of the 50,000 m2 of usable space has already been leased. The tenant base currently consists of 38 companies and institutions, including the University of Basel, Johnson & Johnson, Basilea and numerous startups. Between 30 and 40 percent of the space will be laboratories, with the remaining space earmarked for offices, event and training rooms, and an auditorium. Around 2,000 people will be able to work in the building. They will be able to meet via a continuous terrace on the inside and outside, which will encourage the exchange of ideas and enliven the innovation ecosystem. The heart of the Main Campus is the landscaped courtyard the size of a football field, where recreation and food options are available. The Main Campus is located in the middle of the Life Sciences Mile in Bachgraben in close proximity to neighbors such as the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Skan, Abbott and Idorsia.
Sources and further information: www.baselarea.swiss, www.maincampus.ch
