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2008
Book Article
Titel
A high density of formal and informal networks
Abstract
In March 2007, the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (Fraunhofer ISI, Karlsruhe), TNO (Delft) and SPRU (Brighton) published the BioPolis report. Commissioned by the European Union, it was a scientific study that compares biotech-related policies in 32 countries during the period 2002 to 2005. The conclusions of the National Report on Switzerland paint a favourable picture for Swiss biotech. Focused government investment in biotech basic research during the nineties that after 2000 shifted towards promoting valourisation has been fruitful. Thanks to these policies, coupled with historical traditions, geographic advantages and other factors, Switzerland now has a very high density of biotech companies and a large pool of individuals with significant biotech experience. The good news is that these individuals, be they research scientists, experienced technicians or start-up advisors, are concentrated into 4 geographical clusters and linked by a high density of formal and informal networks.