The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE) is starting out in Basel as an independent research institute and is expected to move to the Main Campus of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area in 2027.
With a donation of more than 1 billion US dollars across a period of 15 years from the Basel-based philanthropic foundation Fondation Botnar, the new institute will significantly enhance Basel’s reputation as a research hub and complement research groups already working at the D-BSSE and the Department of Biomedicine at the University of Basel.
We interviewed Steve Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of the BIIE on why they chose Basel as the site of the new institute and its first steps in this life science innovation district.
What are the key strengths of the Basel region that set it apart from other global hubs for biotechnology and medical research and made you choose it for the institute?
Stephen Wilson: Basel, and the entire region, was selected after a worldwide survey of various cities known for biotechnology and research. It was chosen for several reasons: an excellent workforce, its attractiveness for recruiting globally, and the local infrastructure. We found that the people we would work with to build an institute were here and highly capable.
And by infrastructure, do you mean more than just the physical space?
Stephen Wilson: Absolutely. Everyone from government officials to developers was familiar with what it takes to build an independent research institute. Beyond that, Basel is a beautiful, central location in Europe. It’s highly attractive to international recruits, and the people here are fantastic. It was an excellent choice.
Do you foresee collaborations with other organizations in the area to accelerate research and development? Are there specific areas, like diagnostics or therapeutics, where collaboration could lead to breakthroughs?
Stephen Wilson: Collaborations will be a major focus for us at the institute. Even though we’ll be a large institute focused on immunoengineering, to be truly effective in our mission, partnerships are essential. We will need to work with academia, industry and global partners for clinical studies and development. These collaborations will range from sharing ideas and instrumentation with academic institutions to working with commercial partners for expertise in manufacturing and clinical studies.
Are there any concrete examples of collaborations you have in mind already?
Stephen Wilson: Yes, for instance, we’re planning collaborations with local universities and international ones, like Oxford University. As we develop technologies for diagnostics or therapeutics, we’ll also look to partner with local organizations in those fields. Basel has many well-known partners and a vibrant startup ecosystem, which will be invaluable.
Could you talk a bit more about Basel’s startup ecosystem and how the institute will engage with it?
Stephen Wilson: Basel’s startup ecosystem is impressive, and we see a lot of potential for collaborations there. Many startups are working on cutting-edge solutions, and I foresee our labs partnering with them. This exchange of ideas and technology transfer will foster natural collaborations and partnerships.
How do you see the institute benefiting from being located at the Switzerland Innovation Park on the Main Campus? What unique opportunities do you expect from this innovation district?
Stephen Wilson: The institute will create a critical mass of immune engineers, and being part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area will give us exposure to a variety of organizations working in biomedicine and biotechnology. Being in such a rich and diverse environment encourages both formal and informal interactions, making collaboration much easier. Just walking around could lead to partnerships. Plus, recruits will see that we are deeply integrated with the local ecosystem, avoiding isolation.
How do you perceive Basel’s innovation ecosystem evolving in the coming years? What role do you see the institute playing in shaping this future?
Stephen Wilson: I believe Basel will continue to stand out as one of the most innovative regions globally. The institute will be a significant part of that, particularly in immune engineering. What Basel does so well is to innovate on a global scale, often surprising those unfamiliar with its impact. We aim to be part of that global impact, working alongside universities and local collaborators to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
You mentioned startups earlier. Will the institute have an entrepreneurial focus, and will entrepreneurship be encouraged for commercializing research?
Stephen Wilson: Entrepreneurship is central to our mission. While we’re academically organized, we want to ensure that our discoveries can be translated into real-world solutions. This requires an entrepreneurial mindset. Our researchers will be encouraged to pursue ideas that have potential for impact, whether through collaborations, intellectual property or even launching startups. The Switzerland Innovation Park offers a great environment for this, with plenty of opportunities for researchers to stay local while pursuing their entrepreneurial goals.
Do you expect any short-term healthcare breakthroughs within the first few years of operation? Which populations or diseases will you initially focus on?
Stephen Wilson: Our focus will be on children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries. We don’t aim to focus on a single disease or technology; instead, we’ll tailor our approach to meet the needs of this population. Initially, we’ll study these populations to better understand how immune engineering technologies can be applied. In time, we hope to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and other healthcare improvements.
Why did you choose this population?
Stephen Wilson: This focus comes from the Fondation Botnar, our benefactor. Their mission is to improve the lives of children, and we saw that immune engineering is a technology that often overlooks these populations. There’s a significant opportunity here to make a real difference, and that drives our decision to focus on children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries.
What barriers do you see to bringing immune engineering and diagnostics to low-income countries? How do you plan to overcome them?
Stephen Wilson: The barriers are multifaceted. Immune engineering is still a relatively new field, and there are complexities in manufacturing and regulatory approvals. These often bypass the very populations we aim to help. The key is to focus on understanding the immune systems of children and adolescents in these regions and tailoring the technology to meet their needs. It’s about breaking down barriers in how we create and deploy these solutions so they become accessible to those who will benefit the most.
On a more personal note, what have you come to enjoy most about Basel compared to your time in San Diego?
Stephen Wilson: People ask me that all the time, especially from San Diego. Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint just one thing. Basel is beautiful, rich in history and culture, and the professionals I work with are top-notch. It surpassed my expectations in many ways, especially in terms of the people. I can’t wait for more international recruits to experience it—they’ll love it as much as I do.
What’s your favorite spot on the Main Campus?
Stephen Wilson: I’d have to say it’s standing on the top floor of the building, overlooking the area where the new institute will be built. There’s something about the view that feels like it’s right in the middle of everything, but also like we have enough space to do something big.
Huge win for Basel’s newest innovation district! The Botnar Institute of Immune Engineering (BIIE), an independent research institute on a mission to develop novel immune-based diagnostics and therapeutics, has chosen the Main Campus as its future home.
Groundbreaking ceremony for new building to house international research institute held at the Switzerland Innovation Park in Allschwil.
The collaboration between Engimmune Therapeutics and the Swiss Technology Innovation Center CSEM accelerates cancer screening. Their shared success fast-tracked by having their offices just one staircase away at the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Main Campus.