Advancing Biotech and investment dialogue between Japan and Switzerland

Switzerland offers Japanese pharma and biopharma companies a highly specialized life sciences ecosystem and a strong platform for innovation, collaboration and investment in the heart of Europe.

This perspective shaped the reception held last week at EY in Zurich, hosted by the Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce SJCC and generously supported by EY. The event welcomed a Japanese delegation from pharmaceutical and biopharma companies visiting Switzerland during the week of Swiss Biotech Day.

After the welcome address by SJCC President Martin Herb, the program continued with Markus Thomas Schweizer from EY and Board Member of SJCC, who highlighted Switzerland’s attractiveness for Japanese companies. André M. Bieri from EY provided insights into Switzerland’s tax conditions for international investors, while Takehiro Kinoshita from GC International AG shared a company perspective on building a presence in Switzerland. Kaspar Zimmerli from Switzerland Innovation presented the strengths of Switzerland’s Innovation Park ecosystem.

The program concluded with an engaging Q&A session moderated by Dominique Ursprung from ZHAW School of Management and Law and SJCC. In his closing remarks, Michael Altorfer, CEO of the Swiss Biotech Association, announced that Japan has been selected as the Association’s focus country for the period from Swiss Biotech Day 2026 to Swiss Biotech Day 2027. This will give Japan additional visibility within the Swiss biotech community, including through Swiss Biotech Association activities at BioJapan in October 2026.

The evening continued with a networking reception that further deepened the dialogue between the Japanese delegation, SJCC members and partners.

Our sincere appreciation goes to EY for hosting us, to all speakers for their valuable contributions, and to Switzerland Global Enterprise for organizing the delegation’s visit through its Swiss Business Hub Japan in Tokyo with Michael Vogelsanger.