The Canton of Zug is an International Hotspot for Life Science

The life science sector is one of the most important industries in the Canton of Zug. Many well-known companies like Roche, Novartis, Biogen or Johnson&Johnson have their international headquarter in Zug. The cluster generates many favorable effects like the high availability of talents.

Switzerland is one of Europe’s most established life science locations. The country is respected worldwide for its high research and development standards with R&D at the highest level. Zug benefits from being part of the Greater Zurich Area. The area offers high-class educational institutions for pharmaceuticals, biotech and medical technology. The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich is a worldwide leading university according to various ratings and the University of Zurich is among the top five European universities in biomedical sciences.

The recent publication from Interpharma «Pharmaceutical Hub Switzerland – Zurich-Zug-Lucerne» provides for the first time local facts and information about the life science industry in this area.

The Canton of Zug provides highly qualified specialists

The Canton of Zug is home to many international companies, but also small and startup companies benefit from the excellent conditions in the Canton of Zug. Activities include headquarter functions, R&D, IP, production and sales & marketing. The life science industry in the Canton of Zug includes almost all major global players as well as a large number of small and medium-sized companies. The high density of life science companies in the canton creates advantageous effects. An outstanding pool of highly qualified and international life science talents has developed. An industry of services tailored to the life science cluster has evolved and makes doing business in Zug very convenient.

A Selection of Companies in the Canton of Zug

Abbott, Abbvie, Actavis, Amgen, Biogen Idec, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Johnson&Johnson, Medela, Novartis, Roche, Schiller, Shire, Varian, Wockhardt.

Facts and Figures on Life Science in the Canton of Zug: About 250 companies; around 6200 employees; i.e. 7% of total workforce (3000 in pharma/biotech and 3200 in medtech); more than 50 % of all exports of the Canton of Zug account for life science products.

About the author

Beat Bachmann is the key contact partner for companies interested in setting up business in Canton Zug. As the head of what is, in effect, a «one-stop-shop», he makes every effort to help companies and their staff feel at home in Zug in the shortest possible time. He facilitates introductions to important contact persons in both the private and public sectors, and cultivates close ties with the local economy. Beat Bachmann holds a Master of Arts in Finance from the University of St. Gallen HSG. Before leading the Zug Economic Promotion office, he worked in management positions in national and international companies and markets for over 20 years. He has experience in business development, key account management, finance and project management in life sciences, consumer goods, real estate, and ICT industries.