Headquartered at the Witterswil Technology Center, until now Biolytix AG has mainly concentrated on microbiological and molecular biological investigations on plants and foodstuffs. In its laboratory, the company is able to detect genetically modified organisms in plants or uncover allergens and bacteria in food.
The coronavirus pandemic offered Biolytix AG an opportunity to expand into a new area of business, as detailed in an article written by the economic development agency of the canton of Solothurn: “We reacted rapidly to internally develop and realize a testing method to detect Covid-19 viruses”, comments Adrian Härri, Founder of Biolytix, in the article linked above.
The company is now responsible for carrying out coronavirus testing for major companies including Roche and Novartis using this method. At present, the method is used to analyze between 200 and 500 samples per day. “We can deliver the test results in around four to five hours”, Härri states. In order to manage substantial demand for its services, Biolytix has also recently invested in robotic technology that will allow that tests to be conducted in almost fully automated fashion.
However, Biolytix does not solely conduct coronavirus testing. The company also analyses protective face masks in terms of their sterility, permeability and tensile strength. Härri has even devised plans for the company’s next expansion step: “In future, we will be in a position to examine people who have been vaccinated to see whether or not antibodies have developed after four to six weeks”, he explains.
The services offered by Biolytix are also in demand outside of Switzerland. According to the article above, the export-based sales share stands at 40 percent. However, the company has no intention of abandoning its headquarters in Witterswil in the canton of Solothurn. Its proximity to major firms active in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries represents a major competitive advantage that both aids the recruitment of specialists and facilitates scientific exchanges.
Related news
Meet with an expansion expert
Our services are free of charge and include:
- Introduction to key contacts in industry, academia, and government
- Advice on regulatory framework, taxes, labor, market, and setting up a company
- Custom-made fact-finding visits, including office and co-working space