Biomedicine master plan: Boosting biomedical research and technology
The biomedicine master plan serves to strengthen biomedical research and technology with good framework conditions and to improve access to innovations. It includes measures along the entire value chain – from development through authorisation to the market release of medicinal products.
Biomedical research and industry is very important for Switzerland. The Federal Council launched the biomedicine master plan in 2013 in order to strengthen the framework conditions and Switzerland’s competitiveness in biomedicine and to improve access to innovations. A first package of measures was decided at the same time. A second followed in 2022 for the period to 2026.
The measures cover the entire value chain from research and development through authorisation to market realease and availability of medicinal products for patients.
Owing to the government's cost-cutting measures, it was decided to let the master plan expire earlier than planned at the end of 2025. However, the measures, programmes and legislative revisions drawn up on the basis of the master plan will be continued.
The FOPH has assumed a coordinating role as part of the biomedicine master plan. As no financial resources were granted, no funding for biomedical research will be lost when the master plan ends.
Key improvements were achieved with the master plan, as set out of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) status report 2013-2025.
Key progress
The Confederation is strengthening research, innovation and technology transfer in various ways, as shown in the following examples:
- It promotes clinical research specifically by funding institutions such as the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMW) and the research institution Swiss Clinical Trial Organisation (SCTO). These are committed to improving the framework conditions for clinical studies.
- In addition, in 2024 the Federal Council introduced new, faster procedures for the reimbursement of medicinal products. And Swissmedic is working on accelerating the issue of authorisations, e.g. by collaborating with other regulatory authorities.
- The Confederation is improving the secure exchange and expanding the secondary use of healthcare data with the programme for digital transformation in the healthcare sector (DigiSanté). The Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN), which is committed to improving data availability will also be continued.
- Moreover, the Confederation promotes innovation in start-ups and SMEs with specific measures via the funding schemes of Innosuisse and needs-based consultations by the Swissmedic Innovation Office.
Outlook
The various players in the Confederation – together with the research institutions and the private sector – ensure that the measures to promote biomedical research and technology can continue to be implemented.
These include in particular the further development of digital technologies with the implementation of the DigiSanté programme, legislative revisions to bring the laws into line with societal and market needs and the implementation of the package of measures to reinforce the supply of therapeutic products.
Further information
Federal Office of Public Health FOPH
Schwarzenburgstrasse 157
Switzerland - 3003 Bern