From idea to implementation

Our plan showed that we needed CHF 45m to build a company from scratch – and thankfully Recipharm was keen to invest. For the first eight months, we rented serviced labs and offices at Biopôle’s Superlab. Nonetheless, we soon decided to build our own facility, getting the keys to our new headquarters at Biopôle in February 2022. We totally transformed the 1,800 m2 site, fitting out our labs and offices and buying the equipment we needed for our R&D. We officially launched in May 2023 and now have 20 scientists working for us – we plan to hire 10 more in the next couple of years. Our start-up is right at the heart of Biopôle’s busy life sciences community, so it feels like a really dynamic and stimulating environment in which to work.

A proven track record

Nicolas and I have now set up several companies between us – we’ve demonstrated that we can start with an idea, create a market and work successfully within it. And our experience is what gives people the confidence to invest. There was a time when things were not so easy for us – when we were setting up our previous company, Selexis, for example. That was over 20 years ago, and back then, we weren’t the ‘old hands’ we are today. We were basically travelling all the time, desperately trying to get in front of investors and convince them about our ideas. But eventually our persistence and persuasiveness paid off and we managed to raise a little money from angel investors, as well as prize money from other sources. It was enough to get us started – and 15 years later, we were in a position to sell our company. I think it was our passion that got us off the ground all those years ago. We were tenacious and focused, and we really believed in what we were saying and doing. So, what I’d say to anyone wanting to set up a start-up is: be passionate. That’s how you’ll get investors to buy into your vision. Then, of course, you’ll need robust financials, plus the interpersonal skills to negotiate and get deals signed off.