Swiss Biotech Success Stories
An independent jury of experts annually selects the Swiss Biotech Success Stories winner(s).
Jürg Zürcher
President of the jury
Independent biotechnology leader and expert
Jürg Zürcher has more than 33 years of experience as a certified public accountant with one of the “Big 4” firms, 23 of which as a partner. The focus of his clients was in the life sciences sector, where he served clients ranging from start-ups to multinationals. He successfully assisted several of his clients in capital market transactions on the SIX Swiss Exchange as well as on NASDAQ.
In addition to his auditing activities, Jürg Zürcher was jointly responsible for the annual publication of the Swiss Biotech Report from 2004 to 2021. He presented the report to the media as well as to the participants of the Swiss Biotech Day.
Jürg Zürcher was a regular speaker at the Universities of Basel and Lugano on topics relating to start-ups in the life sciences sector.
In the years 2019 – 2021, Jürg Zürcher was a member of the Life Sciences Commission of the Basel Chamber of Commerce.
Jürg Zürcher studied business administration with a focus on auditing at the University of St. Gallen and graduated with a licentiate.
Igor Fisch
President Fongit
CEO & Co-Founder New Biologix
Igor Fisch is President of Fongit, Switzerland’s premier innovation incubator. Igor is also CEO and Co-founder of NewBiologix, a start-up active in gene therapies. Formerly, he was CEO and Co-founder of Selexis, a world-leading cell line development company. With a successful exit in 2017, Igor was instrumental in guiding Selexis to develop technologies that help biopharmaceutical companies manufacture biologic drugs such as monoclonal antibodies. Under his leadership, this resulted in 10 marketed products. He obtained his PhD at the University of Geneva and continued his postdoctoral studies under Nobel laureate, Prof. Sir Gregory Winter. Igor sits on the boards of Igyxos and Fluosphera.
Stefanie Flückiger-Mangual
CEO and Co-Founder
Tolremo
Stefanie Flückiger-Mangual is one of Tolremo’s scientific founders and experts in the field of drug resistance in cancer therapy. She is a biomedical scientist and biochemist by training at the University of Fribourg and the ETH Zurich. Stefanie holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Translational Biomedicine from ETH Zurich. She led the team of scientists who discovered novel molecular mechanisms that can be exploited to prevent the development of resistance to cancer therapies.
Gabrielle Gache
Founder at Neixora Partners
Gabrielle is CEO at Sappiens, a French/Swiss biotech company established with the objective to advance the clinical development of a disease-modifying therapy in Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological disorders.
She is also Founder of Neixora Partners, a boutique advisory firm for strategic growth, M&A transactions and business development.
Gabrielle is a purpose-driven leader with international executive experience in large multinational healthcare and small biopharma industries, both in global and regional roles. Expertise in M&A execution, corporate strategy, business development and data & insight-based innovation and development. During her career she developed a deep understanding of drug development, regulatory, market access, and commercialization frameworks. She is recognized for building value-driven alliances and pioneering creative deal structures. She brings a unique combination of financial acumen, strategic foresight, and collaborative leadership.
Between 2015 and 2022, Gabrielle chaired the board of the Swiss Healthcare Licensing Group (Swiss HLG), she maintains an extensive network of C-level peers across the global healthcare ecosystem and serves as an independent board member in MedTech and BioPharma organizations.
Certified in M&A (Harvard Business School) and corporate governance (Swiss Board Academy).
Gabriela Güntherodt
EY Partner & Biotech Sector Leader Switzerland/Europe West
Gabriela Güntherodt is leading the Biotech sector for EY Switzerland and is the office managing partner in Basel. She supports emerging biotechs up to global multinational pharma companies throughout the different growth stages and service lines.Gabriela studied Biochemistry at the University of Basel and Scripps Research Institute, San Diego USA and has a MAS in Marketing Management and Business Administration.
Chandra P. Leo
Investment Advisor Private Equity
HBM Partners
Over 25 years experience in the Venture Capital Industry. PhD ETH Zurich in Natural Sciences and Industrial Engineering. Previously in management functions at Innoventure, Credit Suisse, Apax and Vontobel. Board member of Westmed and Reha Technology.
Daniela Marino
CEO and Co-Founder
Cutiss
Daniela Marino is CEO and co-founder of Cutiss AG, a spin-off of the University of Zurich, that was awarded as #TOP1 Swiss start-up 2020. Daniela received her MSc in Biotechnologies from the University of Milan in 2005 and her Ph.D. at the ETH Zurich in 2009. During her postdoctoral studies at the Tissue Biology Research Unit in Zurich, she specialized in tissue engineering of skin and gained expertise in project management and product development. Daniela’s professional mission is to provide a real solution to patients suffering from severe skin defects.
Thomas Staffelbach
TS Kommunikation
Thomas Staffelbach is an experienced communications director, former head of communications and investor relations of several listed and private companies. Thomas is passionate about innovation and the people behind it. For almost 15 years, he has been advising biotech and pharmaceutical companies to position the medical and commercial potential of their innovations.