BaseLaunch Welcomes Takeda as New Partner for Biotech Ventures in Switzerland

BaseLaunch Expands Pharmaceutical Partnership with Takeda

In a significant development for the biotech industry, BaseLaunch has officially welcomed Takeda as its new pharmaceutical partner. This partnership will enhance the existing collaboration with five other leading pharmaceutical companies, now totaling six. The Basel-based biotech incubator, known for launching and nurturing early-stage ventures in cutting-edge therapeutic innovations, marked this announcement on December 16, 2025.

A Strategic Partnership

Through this strategic alliance, Takeda gains invaluable access to a well-established life sciences deal flow within Central Europe while also contributing its extensive expertise in biotech innovation and drug development. BaseLaunch, in turn, will benefit from Takeda's resources and insights, bolstering the growth of its portfolio companies, which have collectively raised more than $1 billion in funding to date.

Stephan Emmerth, Director of BaseLaunch, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to welcome Takeda to BaseLaunch. This alliance will provide our early-stage biotech ventures with significant advantages, including early funding and valuable resources to grow their businesses effectively."

Track Record of Success

Since its inception in 2018, BaseLaunch has supported 27 biotech firms, many of which have advanced to Phase II clinical trials. This speaks to the incubator's successful track record in nurturing startups with promising therapeutic products. Notably, the incubator successfully led T3 Pharma to a lucrative exit, acquiring it for $500 million by Boehringer Ingelheim in 2023, showcasing its capacity to create value within the biotech sector.

Alison Handley, Head of the Center for External Innovation at Takeda, also commented on the partnership, saying, "Our collaboration with BaseLaunch fortifies our connection to European biotech innovation. By participating in the investment board, we can leverage our expertise to assist in the creation of new companies and advance innovative therapies for patients. We look forward to collaborating with BaseLaunch and driving advancements together."

A Thriving Biotech Ecosystem

BaseLaunch's growth is indicative of the robust biotech ecosystem emerging in the Basel area, which is recognized as one of Europe’s hotspots for biopharma innovation. The addition of Takeda aligns with BaseLaunch's commitment to embedding its portfolio companies deeply within this thriving ecosystem, further enhancing the collaborative spirit among researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

The incubator’s existing partners include global giants AbbVie, Roche, Novo Nordisk, Johnson & Johnson, and CSL, along with the venture fund Pureos Bioventures, underlining its credibility in the pharmaceutical landscape. This vibrant community of partners enhances the resources available to portfolio companies, foreshadowing a promising future for the collaborations formed through BaseLaunch.

Conclusion

BaseLaunch continues to position itself as a cornerstone of biotech innovation in Switzerland, paving the way for groundbreaking therapeutics while providing startups with essential support and resources. The addition of Takeda not only solidifies BaseLaunch's stature in the industry but also ensures that the European biotech community thrives, ultimately benefiting innovations that may change lives across the globe.