Professional development: SATW supports urban dialogues on sustainability and outreach

Gold from old computers, fertiliser from wastewater, batteries with a second life: the SATW’s Technology Outlook highlights where Switzerland stands today in terms of recycling and which innovations from universities and industry are paving the way towards a genuine circular economy.

Pharmaceutical innovation rarely arises in the laboratory alone – it requires an entire network. The SATW has interviewed two experts and, in this article, highlights different perspectives on the Swiss life sciences ecosystem: Katja Jenni-Szaloky from the Office for Economic Affairs and Labour in Basel-Stadt describes how the canton creates the right framework conditions; and Julia Biwer, COO and co-founder of Abbmira Therapeutics, explains how a young Basel-based biotech start-up operates within this ecosystem and where it encounters its limitations.

The Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will not participate in the European Earth observation programme Copernicus during the 2028–2034 programme period either – despite repeated calls from Parliament and a recent study which concludes that the benefits of joining clearly outweigh the costs. Switzerland will therefore continue to use the freely available satellite data, but will remain excluded from participation in Copernicus services, tenders and committees. In an interview with the SATW, Dr Claudia Röösli, Head of the Earth Observation Applications and Services Group at the University of Zurich’s Remote Sensing Laboratories, analyses the decision. Her conclusion: Switzerland is foregoing a say in the matter, economic potential and the development of expertise in a field of the future.