Wyss Zurich Annual Event 2023
04-10-2023 – Celebrating Innovation and Building Blocks for the Future - Wyss Zurich Annual Event, a remarkable journey through the past, present, and future of innovation.
The event program was structured around the theme, "Building Blocks for Further Development and Innovation," and took attendees on an engaging journey through the evolution of Wyss Zurich and its commitment to excellence.
The evening started with recollecting the very beginning of Wyss Zurich and its founding principles. The second block featured our currently supported projects followed by the third block, a journey through our spin-offs.
The fourth block emphasized Wyss Zurich’s commitment to future pioneers through our innovative educational programs.
Finally, the stage was filled with an inspirational interview of Hanjörg Wyss and concluded with final statements by representatives of University of Zürich and ETH Zürich on the continued collaboration with Wyss Zurich, which functions as bridge between industry and university.
Wyss Zurich Annual Event was held on October 2nd, 2023, at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, the perfect setting for an evening that celebrated innovation and collaboration. The event built on the theme "Building Blocks for Further Development and Innovation." Block by block, the narrative came together, describing how Wyss Zurich drives the translation of outstanding scientific discoveries into new therapies for patients and breakthrough innovations.
The event commenced with a retrospective, reminiscing about the inception of Wyss Zurich and the historical achievements of the Wyss Zurich Translational Center. Attendees, filling up the Gartensaal, were guided by the Founding Co-Directors, Simon P. Hoerstrup, and Roland Siegwart, and immersed in the vision and mission that have propelled Wyss Zurich to excel in "Translating Science into Life."
The program delved into the current project portfolio of Wyss Zurich, showcasing how cutting-edge science is translated into tangible applications that impact society and drive innovation. The newest entry in the Wyss Zurich family, MYNERVA and Tethys, were the first projects to pitch, followed by MUVON and Somagenetix. While Recolony and Liver4Life were featured in a video, the achievements of Nanoflex, Phire and LifeMatrix were presented by the Co-Directors.
The evening also celebrated the successes of alumni Wyss Zurich projects that have blossomed into thriving startups, leaving a significant mark on various industries. A live pitch from ANYbotics showcased the robotics field, and from CUTISS in the regenerative medicine field. Their stories underscored the fertile ground that Wyss Zurich provides for innovation to thrive.
Wyss Zurich extended its reach into the future through its outreach initiatives, mint&pepper and BioSTARS. Attendees witnessed the enduring impact of mentorship and education by meeting a current Project Leader who participated in workshops of related topics a decade ago where he was inspired to become the driving force behind a startup.
The highlight of the evening was an exclusive interview with Hansjörg Wyss, the visionary donor behind the Wyss Zurich Translational Center. Founding Co-Directors Simon P. Hoerstrup and Roland Siegwart conducted the interview, providing unique insights into his motivation and commitment for a lifelong dedication to research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Closing remarks from representatives of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich concluded the event.
After the program, attendees transitioned to a more festive atmosphere, engaging with project teams in the apero area. Here, Wyss Zurich's groundbreaking projects were on display, accompanied by interactive sessions and opportunities to engage with prototypes and devices up close.
