“Uptick in public & private investors is enabling standalone companies”

Swiss biotech venture accelerator and incubator BaseLaunch was started in 2017 to help launch and grow the next generation of biotech companies. The accelerator has already financed 16 startups and most of them have raised series A funding.

- Ayesha Siddiqui

The accelerator has already financed 16 startups and most of them have raised series A funding. BaseLaunch recently partnered with China Medical System Holdings Limited (CMS) to further strengthen industry ties, fuelling its company building activities. This is the Swiss accelerator’s second partnership in Asia and the first in China. In an email interaction with BioSpectrum Asia, Stephan Emmerth, Director of Business Development & Operations, BaseLaunch, Switzerland discusses the accelerator’s success to date, its partnerships and how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted its operations. Edited excerpts:

Could you tell us what BaseLaunch is all about?

BaseLaunch was initiated in 2017 to help launch and grow the next generation of biotech companies, with a focus on innovative therapeutic ventures. We provide a diverse range of support, from financial help to strategic advice for de-risking the science and team build-out. As each project is different, we tailor our offer to each one, while the venture retains the control over its decisions. So far, we have financed 16 startups and most of them have already raised significant series A funding from top tier investors, totaling over $270 million in financing and an average total raise per company of over $34 million.

How would you differentiate your accelerator from the other accelerators in the field?

We are completely customised. We don’t do training courses or anything like that. All ventures are different. The support we give to each one is different. Whatever is needed to get to a successful Series-A.