THE MAGNET: Where biotech and pharma innovators connect and shape the future
The inaugural event of THE MAGNET, hosted by Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area, brought together leading minds from biotech, pharma and the artificial intelligence (AI) space to explore the groundbreaking possibilities of AI in drug discovery and development. Set against Basel’s vibrant backdrop—a global innovation hub for biotech and pharmaceutical innovation leaders—the event highlighted AI’s transformative potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical research and foster connections across innovation sectors.
Thomi Jourdan, Government Councilor of Canton Basel-Landschaft, opened the event with an inspiring message: “Success starts with a vision, courage, persistence and trust.” Caoimhe Vallely-Gilroy, Director of Strategy at DayOne, followed with a keynote address that explored AI’s transformative potential and challenges in the pharmaceutical industry.
Caoimhe then moderated a dynamic panel discussion, featuring leading experts including Sai Reddy (ETH Zurich; Botnar Institute for Immune Engineering), Liz Wood (Jura Bio), James Gallagher (Johnson & Johnson) and Joern-Peter Halle (BGV; Merck). Together, they offered unique insights into AI’s role in shaping the future of drug discovery and development.
A platform for visionaries
THE MAGNET showcased Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area’s unique ability to unite academia, startups and industry leaders to catalyze innovation.
“Science doesn’t happen in the laboratory alone. It happens in the interaction between people and knowledge. THE MAGNET is one of these enablers where people meet, exchange insights and build trust for fostering new developments.”
Domenico Scala, President of Basel Area Business & Innovation
Attendees praised the event for its diversity of perspectives, spanning academia, spin-offs, startups, venture capitalists, board members and industry leaders. Andrea Bertoneri of TechLounges noted: “the diversity of the panelists’ profiles was truly remarkable—it is this mix that drives success and sparks innovation.”
This diversity highlighted the importance of collaboration in the Swiss biotech and pharmaceutical industries and emphasized the collaborative spirit that defines Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area.
Exploring the transformative role of AI in drug discovery
Participants gained valuable insights into the latest trends shaping AI’s role in drug discovery and development. Discussions ranged from identifying new targets and predicting molecular properties to enhancing clinical trial efficiency and improving patient outcomes.
“It is crucial to step back and ask: What problem are we trying to address, or what opportunity are we trying to leverage? If AI is the best solution, use it—if not, find a complementary approach. The focus should always be on identifying the most suitable solution.”
James Gallagher, Head of Early Innovation – Innovative Health, Johnson & Johnson. THE MAGNET panelist.
Speakers tackled challenges such as how best to integrate AI into traditional workflows, address fragmented data and foster cross-sector collaboration. They highlighted the Basel Area’s collaborative ecosystem as a catalyst for advancements, aligning startups and established players to tackle pressing challenges together.
Interested in knowing more? DayOne, part of the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area ecosystem, offers an overview of AI in Drug Discovery and Development.
Building bridges in the Basel Area’s innovation hub
The networking apéro following the event was another standout moment, sparking dynamic conversations and fostering meaningful connections at Switzerland’s premier life science innovation hub, the Main Campus.
“Coming from the AI infrastructure side, it was great to see how people use the tools we develop. The apéro sparked engaging discussions and forged new connections. There was a clear sense of excitement around the topic of AI.”
Thomas Taroni, CEO and Co-Founder, of Phoenix Technologies.
Attendees valued the opportunity to connect in person. Artal Moreno-Fortuny of Novo Nordisk remarked: “It’s great to have a point of connection, to really come together as an ecosystem and engage with people across companies and industry sectors. The discussions during the apéro highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of AI in biotech and pharma, and overall, the atmosphere was positive and forward-looking.
THE MAGNET going forward
By focusing on connecting biotech and pharma innovators and hosting conversations on critical topics like AI in healthcare, THE MAGNET has firmly established itself as a flagship event for the Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area – Main Campus. Powered by our main partner, Senn, and other event-specific partners, as the series evolves it will continue to be a key platform for exchanging transformative ideas and driving innovation in the biotech and pharma sectors.
Information about future editions of THE MAGNET will be shared through Switzerland Innovation Park Basel Area’s official channels. In the meantime, explore our other upcoming events and event highlights from Switzerland’s innovation hub. Discover initiatives designed to foster connections in innovation sectors and inspire by visiting our events page.
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