Global pharma majors such as Novartis, Roche, Serono and over 500 small and medium companies in life sciences, pharmaceutical industry have realised the benefits Switzerland offers. The growth in this sector is expected to be phenomenal in the coming years. The industry already employs over 30,000 personnel in Switzerland. The country is becoming a key hub for development in Europe, according to Marc Rudolf, Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland.

Major pharma and biotech companies which have either their headquarters or have established key operations in Switzerland are AstraZeneca (Swiss Headquarters), Actelion, Bristol Myers Squibb (EMEA HQ), Cardinal Health (Swiss HQ), Merck (Holding), Sandoz (Swiss HQ), Schering (Swiss HQ), Wyeth (Swiss HQ), Amgen (International/EU/Swiss HQ), Biogen Idec (International/EU HQ), Serono (EMEA HQ), Novartis (HQ), Roche (HQ), Glycart, Pfizer, Zimmer, Synthes-Stratec, Nobel Biocare, Abbott, Baxter, Cilag, Esbatech, Prionics, Takeda, Covalys and Cytos.

Switzerland has been positioned second behind Cyprus in the latest Europe-wide measurement of the finance-political flexibility survey. Switzerland succeeds in reacting fast to economic shocks and adapting tax and expenses policy. The rating agency Standard and Poor's examined 28 European countries for this flexibility index.

Greater Zurich Area, which acts as a life sciences cluster in Switzerland alone has about 90 biotech companies. The Area has a biotech centre, research institutions, incubators which have resulted in the sector's growth. It also offers several advantages such as central location, international business environment, long tradition in life sciences, highly skilled workforce in a flexible labour market, high degree of innovation, low taxes, international tax splitting, financial incentives for technology, Marc Rudolf said.

According to a study by Credit Suisse, the Greater Zurich Area is on the track to become a knowledge location of the future. The study also indicates that more than half of the growing number of highly qualified and educated workforce have already moved to Zurich between 2003 and 2005. These people, mostly between 25 and 40, are from northern or Western Europe, or North America. This trend supports Zurich in its transformation to a knowledge economy of the future.

Marc Rudolf was at Hyderabad recently to attend a seminar on "Business Opportunities for Indian Pharma Industry in Europe". Marc Rudolf also stressed on the Tax benefits offered by the Swiss Government to Indian companies who want to set up offices in Switzerland.

Dr Sumant Baukhandi, director- Pharma Institute of GMPs discussed European regulatory requirements and the business opportunities in Europe in comparison with the US. The Program conducted by Prescription Pharma Support was also attended by the members of industries based in Hyderabad and was supported by BDMA.