BaseLaunch, a Basel Area-based incubator and accelerator that helps scientists and entrepreneurs launch biotech companies, announced Roche has become a founding partner in the next phase of its company building activities. In addition, BaseLaunch has increased the funding available per venture to $0.5 million to support early stage innovation.

During 2018 and 2019, BaseLaunch supported nine early therapeutic ventures which have raised more than $100 million in capital from U.S. and European venture funds,. Recently, BaseLaunch has added another four ventures to its portfolio, and has contributed to the development of six more ventures in the Basel Area.

BaseLaunch is operated by Basel Area Business & Innovation, the investment and innovation promotion agency of the Basel Area. During its first phase (2017-2019), BaseLaunch was supported by Roche, Novartis Venture Fund, Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer and Roivant Sciences. Roche is the first partner in the second phase of new commitments, additional partners will be made public over the coming months.

Neil Goldsmith, Director of Strategy at BaseLaunch, commented: “We are delighted by Roche’s continued commitment to BaseLaunch and to the wider early stage life sciences ecosystem in the Basel Area. The support of our highly experienced partners will allow BaseLaunch to build on the success of recent years as we look to a sustainable future supporting the development of cutting-edge therapeutic ventures.”

James Sabry, Global Head of Roche Pharma Partnering, added: “We are very pleased to continue our commitment to BaseLaunch. Basel has always been home to great ideas and innovation and today it is a leading life sciences hub within Switzerland and globally. This investment builds on our commitment to driving scientific advances that will help patients live better lives.”

In addition to financing support, BaseLaunch helps build out companies and teams from inception to a point where they can raise financing and enter strategic collaborations. BaseLaunch is looking to attract the next generation of breakthrough companies and is now open for applications (first application deadline 22nd June). Interested groups can find information at www.BaseLaunch.ch/apply/.