Nasri Nahas, CEO of Biopôle in Switzerland, discusses his motivations for joining the biotech, and his mission to re-position the organization as a life sciences ecosystem bringing together academia, business, and research. What motivated you to join Biopôle in October 2015? I began my career as a molecular biologist in France before working as a business developer and manager for several prominent biotech companies. As General Manager, responsible for strategic business activities as well as leading the operational, HR and financial functions of an organization, I have learned the tough way how “alone” one can be in such a position and how valuable it can be to have a network of like minds. Therefore, when I heard of this opportunity at Biopôle, I immediately felt the unique opportunity for me to build what I always dreamed to have as a CEO of a biotech company: belonging to a dynamic life sciences ecosystem and a vibrant community. A key aspect of the challenge is building something beyond real-estate, which we at Biopôle consider as a means and not an end. Our mission to create a vibrant community is what the Canton of Vaud values most about this unique life sciences park it is promoting. How would you qualify the mandate you have been assigned?

"We want to reposition Biopôle as a life sciences ecosystem bringing together academia, business, and research; our aim is that there is no separation between research institutes, universities, SMEs, start-ups and multinational corporations."