Swiss biotech CMC meeting

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 12:30 - 16:30

Swiss Data Science Center - SDSC, Biopôle, Rte de la Corniche 8, 1066 Epalinges

Join us at our informal peer-to-peer meeting for chemistry, manufacturing and quality control specialists across the Swiss biotech ecosystem — from startups to established companies — from preclinical, clinical and commercial settings. Whether you are a chief technical officer, chief operating officer, head of CMC, or a quality or supply chain leader, we will discuss how to translate scientific innovation into robust, compliant and scalable manufacturing solutions.

Experienced industry leaders who have successfully navigated some of biotech’s most challenging CMC and operational hurdles will share practical insights, lessons learned and real-world experiences — helping to avoid common pitfalls and accelerate development timelines.

Together, we will address key topics and explore how to manage cost and timeline pressures while ensuring manufacturing readiness, quality and compliance across all stages of development.

We are looking forward to an afternoon of knowledge sharing, networking and practical discussion focused on one of the most critical success factors in biotechnology: successful CMC execution.

Your input and presence will help make this event a success. We welcome you to share your ideas to help shape the program as you register below.

Know a CMC leader who should join?
Please share the contact details of any CMC peers (full name, organization, email, function) whom you believe we should also invite. Alternatively, you may forward the invitation to them directly. If your organization does not have a dedicated CMC specialist, you are kindly invited to register yourself.

Kindly supported by

Program

12:30

Doors open, standing lunch

13:30

Welcome, opening notes

  • Michael Altorfer, CEO Swiss Biotech Association
  • Short address by sponsor Siegfried

13:45

Megatrends shaping the CMC life cycle of biotech companies

  • Anne Marie de Jonge Schuermans, Global Head Biologics & Injectables Operations, Sandoz

14:15

The major CMC challenges for evolving biotechs

  • Sonja Merkas, Founder and CEO, Livinovea

14:35

Panel discussion: CMC leaders behind Swiss biotech success stories

Moderated by Anne Marie de Jonge Schuermans, Global Head Biologics & Injectables Operations, Sandoz

  • Stefan Abele, Chief Technical Operations Officer, Pharvaris
  • Anja Hipp, Head of CMC, Granite Bio
  • Keith Wilson, Chief Technology Officer, Switchkine

15:15

Coffee break

15:45

Panel discussion: The key CMC challenges – balancing speed, quality, scalability and cost

Moderated by Sonja Merkas, Founder and CEO, Livinovea

  • Lotti Frauchiger, Head of CMC, Molecular Partners
  • Erik Rutjes, CTO Somagentix
  • Marc Thommen, formerly TargImmune Head of Technical Dev and Ops

16:30

Networking apéritif

Register