Swiss Biotech Association Strengthens Its Board of Directors and Appoints Michael Altorfer As Its New CEO

Swiss Biotech Association logo

Zurich, Switzerland, September 27, 2017 / B3C newswire / -- Since 1998, the Swiss Biotech Association (SBA) represents the interests of the Swiss biotech industry in Switzerland and abroad. The Swiss biotech industry is one of the most innovative and successful industries. Currently, more than 15’000 employees are directly engaged in Swiss biotech companies and additional 40’000 indirect jobs in suppliers and service providers contribute to the success of Swiss biotech sector.

To further strengthen its resources and network, the SBA appointed Dr. Patrick Amstutz (CEO of Molecular Partners) and Filippo Riva (CEO of Humabs Biomed) at its General Assembly as new board members and today announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Altorfer (former CEO of Polyphor) as its new CEO, effective January 1, 2018.

Dr. Dominik Escher, president of the SBA, commented: “The management changes we announce today will enable the SBA to implement its mission more intensively and effectively.
Filippo Riva and Patrick Amstutz represent the classical biotech companies from private to public and from more early stage to late stage development. We are very glad to strengthen our board through their experience, personal network of international industry contacts and deep understanding of the needs and strengths of the Swiss biotech industry.
Michael Altorfer has more than 20 years of experience in the Swiss life science industry and operational know-how at all management levels. He succeeds the former SBA CEO, Domenico (Nic) Alexakis to whom I would like to express my gratitude. Nic has been dedicated to position the SBA as a central resource for the Swiss biotech industry over the last 15 years. I would like to welcome Michael as the new CEO of the Swiss Biotech Association. With his deep industry experience, he is best positioned to move the Association forward. The Biotech industry has grown over the last years to an important and sizable industry for Switzerland and we need a strong Association to reflect this in order to improve the framework conditions further

Michael Altorfer added: “I look forward to further strengthen SBA’s impact and contribution to the industry and to expand our networks, platforms and products to support our member companies as well as the Swiss biotech industry. The Swiss biotech companies play a crucial role in discovering and developing new, innovative technologies, diagnostics, medicine and healthcare treatment options. They work in close collaboration with their network of industry partners, including leading Swiss universities, hospitals and innovative technology and service suppliers, to address the most pressing medical needs. The SBA is dedicated to supporting them in this effort and to help creating an environment in which these companies can work effectively.”

 
About the Swiss Biotech Association
Founded in 1998, the Swiss Biotech Association (SBA) is the national industry association representing the interests of the Swiss biotech sector. It supports the entrepreneurship of biotech companies and generates value for them through the following activities:

  • Development of optimal framework conditions for the biotech sector:
    • Representation of the biotech interests to policy makers
    • Support of:
      • Knowledge and technology transfer
      • Financing conditions for biotech companies
      • Education and professional development
  • Networking of stakeholders at national and international level:
    • Through the development and maintenance of biotechnology-specific platforms
    • Organization and participation at national and international events
  • Dissemination of accomplishments in biotechnology:
    • To the political audience and the general public
    • Through the national biotech platform
    • Increase of the visibility at national and international level
  • Collaboration with strategic partners:
    • As a member of national and international umbrella organizations
    • Through collaborations with life sciences clusters / initiatives
    • With national and European funding agencies


About Michael Altorfer
Dr. Michael Altorfer has more than 20 years of experience in the life science industry comprising both big pharma and smaller biotech organizations. As a member of the Executive Committee he supported the build-up of Polyphor Ltd in Allschwil in many different roles (Head BD&L, CFO, COO and CEO). Michael started his career as a scientist in pharmaceutical research at Sandoz, Ciba-Geigy (Summit, NJ, USA), and Roche. From 1996 to 2001 he held program management and line management roles at the investment bank UBS Warburg.
Michael studied Natural Sciences at the ETH and he obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Dr. H.-J. Hansen (University of Zurich) and Prof. Dr. K. Müller (Roche) and holds an MBA degree from the University of Rochester, NY, USA.

About Patrick Amstutz
Dr. Patrick Amstutz is Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Partners AG in Schlieren. He co-founded Molecular Partners and has been a member of the company’s management team since its inception in 2004. At the company, Patrick has been responsible for business development, alliance management and research and development (R&D) operations. He has established a wide range of commercial collaborations and licensed several key technologies. Patrick holds a Master of Science from the ETH Zurich and a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Zurich.

About Filippo Riva
Filippo Riva, MBA, is CEO and CFO of Humabs Biomed SA in Bellinzona. He brings over 15 years management experience in both privately held and venture backed biotech and high-tech companies. Filippo holds a degree in Economics from the School of Economics and Business Administration of Lugano and a MBA from the Warwick Business School, United Kingdom.


Contact

Swiss Biotech Association
Stauffacherstrasse 16
CH-8004 Zürich
+41 (0)44 455 56 78
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www.swissbiotech.org