A Curated Innovation Area Exploring the Future of Life Sciences in Switzerland
The Future of Life Sciences Innovation Space at Ilmac Lausanne explores how the sector may evolve by 2040 and what it means for Switzerland as a global hub. It highlights where Switzerland leads today and where faster progress is needed to meet future demands. Through a curated showcase, stage programme and interactive elements, the space brings together companies, startups, researchers and policymakers to shape the future of research, manufacturing and patient care.
This space is co-shaped with key partners including The Futuring Alliance, Siemens, HDI, Laborplaner Tonelli and Ilmac exhibitors.
Our partners
Meet the Experts
Jens Feddern
Siemens Schweiz AG (Zurich, CH)
Tom Kissling
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG (Basel, CH)
Zhang Xi
Superlab Suisse AG (Zurich, CH)
Kevin Keim
Walter I Patriarche (Basel, CH)
Nahas Nasri
Biopole SA (Lausanne, CH)
Brett Staahl
Scribe Therapeutics (San Francisco, US)
Damir Bogdan
QuantumBasel (Arlesheim, CH)
Sam Khalil
Ekona.ai (Basel, CH)
Emre Ozcan
Merck Group (Aubonne, CH)
Rado Andrian
HealthAI (Geneva, CH)
Vincent Revol
CSEM (Obwalden, CH)
Sebastian Baumann
The Futuring Alliance (Stuttgart, DE)
Nicole Loeser
The Futuring Alliance (Berlin, DE)
Frank Kumli
The Futuring Alliance (Basel, CH)
Katja Stuker
Two daily themes structure the content
Day 1: Laboratories of the Future
Day 1 explores how laboratories are changing — from standalone facilities to connected, high-performance platforms. Understand how automation, data, and new ways of working are reshaping labs — and what this means for speed, quality, and competitiveness. Throughout the morning, the focus is clear: what does this mean for Switzerland, and what should organisations do now to stay ahead?
| 10.00 | Session with Anton Paar |
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| 10.40 | Keynote: The Future of Life Sciences | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 11.20 | Panel: The Lab as a Platform | Jens Feddern, Head Vertical Market Life Sciences, Siemens | Tom Kissling, pRED Lab Automation Partner, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG | Vincent Revol, VP Industry 4.0 & Life Sciences, CSEM |
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| 11.55 | Workshop: Turning Trends into Opportunities for Switzerland | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 12.30 | Panel: Who Runs the Lab of the Future? | ZHANG Xi, Chairman / CEO, Superlab Suisse AG | Kevin Keim, Director of Operations, Walter I Patriarche | Nasri Nahas, CEO, Biopole SA |
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| 13.00 | Workshop: Turning Trends into Opportunities for Switzerland | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 13.40 | Panel with Siemens | Jens Feddern, Head Vertical Market Life Sciences, Siemens |
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| 14.20 | Future of Health: Implications for the risk landscape | Katja Stuker, HDI Global SE, Switzerland |
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| 15.00 | Building Bridges: Designing, Engineering and Research in Switzerland |
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| 15.40 | Women in Life Sciences Afternoon | Karin Sartorius, Aleris Partners GmbH moderated by Katja Reichenstein |
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Day 2: AI & Quantum in Life Sciences
Day 2 explores how AI, quantum technologies, and advanced automation are reshaping the life sciences value chain — from discovery and development to manufacturing, regulation, and patient interaction. Understand how these technologies are moving into real-world use — changing how decisions are made, how systems connect, and how value is created across the ecosystem. Throughout the morning, the focus is clear: what does this mean for Switzerland, and what should organisations do now to stay competitive?
| 10.00 | Session with Agilent |
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| 10.40 | Keynote: The Future of Life Sciences | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 11.05 | Keynote: AI in Drug Discovery | Brett Staahl, Co-Founder and VP External Innovation, Scribe Therapeutics, San Francisco, US |
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| 11.20 | Panel: AI & Quantum in Life Sciences: From Experimentation to Impact | Damir Bogdan, Chief Strategy & Alliance Officer, QuantumBasel | Sam Khalil, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Ekona.ai | Brett Staahl, Co-Founder and VP External Innovation, Scribe Therapeutics |
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| 11.50 | Workshop: Turning Trends into Opportunities for Switzerland | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 12.30 | Panel: Scaling AI in Health | Emre Ozcan, SVP, Global Head of Digital Health & Devices , Merck Group | Rado Andrian, Director of AI, HealthAI |
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| 13.00 | Workshop: Turning Trends into Opportunities for Switzerland | Sebastian Baumann, Nicole Loeser, Frank Kumli, The Futuring Alliance |
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| 13.40 | Panel with Siemens | Jens Feddern, Head Vertical Market Life Sciences, Siemens |
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| 14.20 | Session with QPS |
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| 15.00 | Startup Pitches |
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| 15.40 | Startup Pitches moderated by Kevin Keim |
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Stage Programme – From Global Trends to Swiss Industry Action
The stage serves as the knowledge and dialogue engine of the area, connecting global foresight with Swiss priorities and concrete solutions showcased on the floor.
Target audience
Pharma, biotech, medtech companies; startups/scaleups; R&D and discovery teams; process development & tech transfer; manufacturing and production leaders; CDMOs; digital/data/automation experts; technology and research partners; lab developers; infrastructure partners; and decision-makers shaping Switzerland’s future competitiveness.
Why take part?
- Engage your customers and partners on the topics that matter most, fostering meaningful conversations around emerging needs and future opportunities
- Showcase breakthrough innovations to a highly targeted Swiss and international Life Sciences audience
- Gain clarity on Switzerland’s position in a rapidly shifting global landscape and understand where capabilities must evolve to stay competitive
- Accelerate innovation and scale-up through exchange on digitalisation, automation and tech transfer
- Shape shared perspectives for the industry’s future through foresight impulses, interactive exercises and peer dialogue
Curated Showcase Across the Swiss Life Sciences Value Chain
The area presents a curated set of innovations spanning the entire value chain, framed through Switzerland’s strategic priorities in a rapidly changing global environment.
Three focus worlds:
- R&D (Discovery & Innovation)
Next-generation research models, automation of labs, AI-driven discovery pipelines, and Switzerland’s capabilities in early innovation. - Production (Manufacturing of the Future)
Smarter, more resilient, scalable manufacturing; digital twins; automation; supply-chain resilience in a geopolitically volatile world. - Connected Patient (Medtech & Healthcare Access)
Personalised medicine, connected patient solutions, data ecosystems, and Switzerland’s role in shaping patient-centric innovation.
Across the showcase, interactive exhibits illustrate how technologies link across the value chain and how Switzerland can maintain leadership in a competitive global landscape.
Immersive Feedback Zone (co-creation in action)
A dedicated immersive zone invites visitors to contribute and shape the conversation:
- Interactive Futures Map capturing inputs, needs, opportunities and ecosystem connections to co-create a shared picture of Switzerland’s future readiness
- Video Booth for quick expert statements, opinions and fresh perspectives
- Feedback & idea integration mechanisms that turn visitor insights into shared learnings and tangible next steps
Do you have further questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help!