PULSE, a new era for innovation in Western Switzerland

Inaugurated in May 2025, the PULSE Innovation Center in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne is emerging as a flagship site for life sciences and high-tech companies in Western Switzerland, offering modular infrastructure, shared services, and a unique environment for collaboration and growth.

In the heart of Western Switzerland’s Health Valley, a new milestone has been reached. PULSE, developed by EPIC Suisse AG and inaugurated on 16 May 2025, now stands as a bold embodiment of architectural flexibility, environmental stewardship, and technological ambition. More than a collection of buildings, PULSE is a catalyst for collaboration and innovation.

Ten years in the making, the project was originally awarded in 2013 to the Renens-based firm Architram Architecture et Urbanisme SA. Today, it delivers 43,000 square meters of modular, above-ground space, coupled with 27,000 square meters underground for logistics, parking, and technical infrastructure. This massive footprint is housed in two interconnected buildings, stitched together by a central logistics hub.

Designed with adaptability at its core, PULSE accommodates a wide range of operational needs, from biotech and medtech to advanced manufacturing and quantum computing. Ceiling heights range between 3 and 5.8 meters, with some zones permitting double heights to host tall and heavy equipment like bioreactors. Patios at the center of the buildings allow natural light to reach deep into workspaces, creating a bright, productive atmosphere.

Twelve truck-loading bays provide efficient supply chain access. The load-bearing capacity of the ground floor reaches up to 2 tons per square meter, and electrical infrastructure is scalable from 3 to 6 megawatts. Air handling systems have been engineered to meet the rigorous standards of ISO 5 and Grade A clean rooms, providing the technical capacity needed for sterile or highly controlled environments.

A holistic, accessible and sustainable ecosystem

Located in Cheseaux-sur-Lausanne’s industrial zone, PULSE enjoys immediate highway access via Crissier, Cossonay, and La Blécherette. Public transportation is equally convenient: the LEB line offers a direct link to downtown Lausanne, while the regional bus 54 connects the site to Renens station in just 11 minutes.

PULSE has been designed not only as a center of productivity but as a community hub. On-site services include a restaurant managed by Eldora SA, a fitness center, conference rooms, and a nursery operated by BUBBLES Kids Club. These amenities support tenant wellbeing and reflect PULSE’s commitment to a modern work-life balance.

PULSE has secured Minergie and BREEAM certification, reflecting the project’s strong sustainability credentials. Over 1,000 rooftop solar panels and 80 deep geothermal probes help provide a significant share of the site’s energy needs, moving it toward near energy self-sufficiency. Additional features include secure bike parking, EV charging stations, and shared electric vehicles.

Bordered by forest and farmland, the site is designed to integrate harmoniously with its natural surroundings. Permeable paths wind between the buildings and landscape features, including two stormwater retention gardens that also encourage biodiversity. Outdoor rest areas offer employees the chance to recharge in tranquil, green spaces.

Built for collaboration

PULSE’s modular design and centralized logistics foster proximity and synergies among tenants. The first companies to move in include Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kidelis, Eldora SA, and BUBBLES Kids Club. Each is contributing to an emerging innovation community driven by science, supported by EPIC Suisse, and connected to key ecosystem partners like GGBa, Innovaud, Switzerland Global Enterprise, and the Swiss Biotech Association.

PULSE is more than a building, it is a statement of intent. A space where life sciences and advanced technology converge. A place built to evolve, scale, and inspire. As Western Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem continues to grow, PULSE is set to play a central role, a place where the future of science, health, and high tech is already taking shape.