Funding Innovation for the Future

This year's roundtable discussion will focus on the issues of funding for the needs of innovation in Biotech and Life Sciences, at large.

On one side, representatives of both private and public funding agencies will present their views in regard of the means available, the expected utilisation of resources and the anticipated outcome. On the other side, users of these funds, be it academic institutions or private companies, will present their perspective on the process of obtaining funding and on their funding needs.

A series of short presentations (8-10 min) will be given by the following speakers:

• Jean-Marc Burgunder, Professor University of Berne & University of Singapore, & Scientific advisor Telethon Foundation Action Swiss
• Peter Friedli, Manager Friedli Corporate Finance, New Venturetec & InVenture
• Dieter Imboden, Professor of Environmental Physics ETH Zurich & President Swiss National Research Council, SNF
• Rudolf Marty, President Gebert-Ruf Foundation & CEO, itopia - corporate information technology
• Urs A. Meyer, Professor University of Basel & Scientific advisor HBM BioCapital
• Klaus Müller, Professor, Pharmaceutical Research, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd
• Daničle Rod Wiesner, Head of Office SwissCore Bruxelles

A moderated discussion between a panel of experts (including the speakers) and the audience will follow the presentations.

The aim of this roundtable discussion is to open a rather overdue debate about the adequacy of funding, and above all to enhance the understanding of the expectations of both parties. In particular, questions such as the following should find some answers:

• What is a successful project, as seen from the funding agency?
• How to measure the Rate of Return of an innovative project?
• What are the sources of funds available to innovative companies?
• What's the hidden cost of a grant and is one type of grant costlier than another?
• Centralisation versus decentralisation of funding agencies: is there an easy way to cope with the burden of paperwork?
• On which basis does your Institution/Company/Organization decide whether to fund a certain project? With which expectations?

Ultimately, providers and users of funds present at this roundtable should form a consensus opinion about where funding of innovation is heading to in Switzerland!

This roundtable will take place on Monday, December 5, between 17:15 and 18:45.