This week, we are meeting Maria Håkanson from CSEM who is also in charge of the INARTIS NETWORK Innovation Consulate in Zurich.
1) Could you please tell us more about the INARTIS NETWORK?
The INARTIS NETWORK is one of the eight NTN (National Thematic Networks) supported by the Commission for Technology and Innovation (CTI), the Swiss agency for the promotion of technology and innovation. The INARTIS NETWORK’s mission is to create value and jobs across the Swiss Life Sciences economy through innovation. We are a not-for-profit organization based near Lausanne in Renens. Our focus is to foster trans-disciplinary R&D projects to deliver “Innovations Made in Switzerland”.
2) What is the role of the Consulate you are managing in Zürich?
The role of the Innovation consulate in Zürich is to bring the INARTIS NETWORK closer to the life science industry in this area. The INARTIS NETWORK was initiated by Benoit Dubuis and Susanne Lauber Fürst in Lausanne and has since then been predominantly active in helping the life science sector in western Switzerland.
3) How would your presence benefit to the surrounding companies and universities?
From now on the life science sector around Zürich will have a personal contact in the INARTIS NETWORK. This will make it easier for R&D institutions to profit from the knowledge within the network. The INARTIS NETWORK has theoretically always been open to all of Switzerland since its initiation, but the personal contact is always superior for creating trust. Trust is very important in the innovation process, since much of the work is confidential.
4) According to you, what are the strengths of our lifescience sector?
There is certain solidness to the life science sector in Switzerland considering the long history of several of our strong research institutions and players in the pharmacological industry. I think that we in Switzerland have a special opportunity in hosting market leaders in both Pharma and Medtech. In the future we may see more collaboration between these industries in the development of combination products composed of both the device and the drug component.
5) What message would you like to forward to the lifescience community?
To keep up with the global competition we have to continuously review our strategies and products. Innovation will be very important for success. I would take this opportunity to invite to a correspondence with the INARTIS NETWORK, would it be to take part at one of our events or to start exploring the possibilities for new R&D collaborations in Switzerland. Don’t hesitate to contact us via email or phone!
From a more personal angle:
6) How would you define yourself?
Most colleagues know me as an open-minded person with a direct but yet diplomatic way of communication. In my R&D project management tasks I am passionate but still try to be the realistic counterpart to the sometimes more optimistic project team. I find it highly motivating to be part of the rapidly developing, international life science community.
7) Outside your professional activities, what are your hobbies?
I have always been a nature person and this is also one of the reasons for why I decided to move to Switzerland. In contrast to in my home town Stockholm, in Zürich we can enjoy different outdoor activities almost all the months of the year and with the most thrilling landscapes less than 2 hours away.