Bayer Co.Lab Connect Basel: A launchpad for Swiss startup innovation

The Bayer Co.Lab Connect Basel Team (f.l.t.r.): Xi Zhang (Superlab Suisse), Alberto Nobili (Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge), Michael Cunniffe (Danforth), Theresa Kavanaugh (Goodwin) Friedemann Janus (Bayer Co.Lab), Jürgen Eckhardt (Bayer), Karin Sartorius (Kanton Basel-Stadt), Robert Puopolo (Goodwin), Nina Kreymborg (Curie.Bio), Christian Klein (Curie.Bio)

Basel, March 25, 2025 – Bayer, together with Superlab Suisse, Curie.Bio, Goodwin, and Danforth Advisors yesterday announced ‘Bayer Co.Lab Connect – Basel’, a program designed to support early-stage startups in Switzerland looking to navigate the U.S. ecosystem while fostering a relationship with Bayer.

While Europe is a center for pharmaceutical innovation, the United States stands out as the main market that can sustain that pharmaceutical innovation. Accessing this market early may positively influence funding, culture, talent, and reputation. However, for early-stage startups and first-time founders its accessibility is often constrained by know-how and personal networks. Building a name in a new ecosystem while developing a drug is difficult and time consuming. Bayer Pharmaceuticals is launching the ‘Bayer Co.Lab Connect’ program in Basel to bring Bayer Co.Lab resources and expertise to first-time founders and early-stage companies with the ambition to maximize their visibility in the U.S.

"Switzerland has a vibrant start-up ecosystem, particularly in the life sciences sector," said Juergen Eckhardt, MD, Head of Business Development & Licensing at Bayer Pharmaceuticals as well as Head of Leaps by Bayer. "Connecting the thriving Swiss startup scene with the unique Kendall Square ecosystem in Cambridge, with leading research institutions affiliated with Harvard and MIT, a thriving venture capital community, as well as our Bayer Research and Innovation Center and Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge, will unlock and accelerate new opportunities for tomorrow's breakthrough medicines.”

Pathway to the Boston-Cambridge ecosystem
By partnering with Switzerland’s leading lab provider, Superlab Suisse, and with the support of innovation players Curie.Bio, Goodwin, and Danforth Advisors, Bayer Co.Lab Connect Basel is creating a pathway to the Boston-Cambridge ecosystem by providing Swiss biotech entrepreneurs and startups direct access to top-notch laboratory and office space providers, as well as valuable expertise and mentoring tailored for the U.S. market.

“We host laboratories for life science companies in Switzerland and abroad – helping excellent companies excel,” said Xi Zhang, Founder and CEO of Superlab Suisse AG. “Partnering with Bayer Co.Lab, we’re strengthening the Swiss-Boston connection, giving Swiss science companies access to top-tier mentorship, global exposure, and the push they need to accelerate success.”

"At Curie.Bio, we believe that founders should be free to focus on what truly matters – developing groundbreaking medicines that can transform patients’ lives,” said Nina Kreymborg, SVP, CSO Partner Team at Curie.Bio. “Our mission is to empower biotech entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources, and capital they need to build serious therapeutics companies without losing ownership and control. By partnering with Bayer Co.Lab Connect in Basel, we are fostering a dynamic environment where early-stage biotech startups can access world-class mentorship, critical infrastructure, and strategic industry connections. This collaboration is about removing barriers for founders, ensuring they have the support needed to advance their innovations with speed, efficiency, and scientific excellence.”

One selected Swiss startup will have the chance to join the Bayer Co.Lab portfolio and be recognized at a Bayer event during BIO International 2025.

The chosen start-up in Switzerland will have the opportunity to benefit from a well-equipped facility at Superlab Suisse in Basel as well as get access to the facility in Bayer Co.Lab Cambridge, a global community of like-minded entrepreneurs, mentorship from Bayer experts across multiple domains, as well as facilitated connections to ecosystem partners, in a no-strings attached fashion. This tailored approach will ensure start-ups thrive in a supportive environment that enables them to rapidly advance their innovations towards the clinic.

Learn about how startups are chosen here.

For additional photographic material please contact barbara.zimmermann@bayer.com.

Contact for media inquiries:

Bayer Switzerland
Barbara Zimmermann
Phone: 079 307 62 52
Email: barbara.zimmermann@bayer.com

Superlab Suisse
Xi Zhang
Phone: 076 688 90 36
Email: xi@superlabsuisse.com

COR-OTH-CH-0055-1 2503