Top Stories from Western Switzerland (March 2025)

From record-breaking achievements in solar innovation to a major strategic plan shaping Geneva’s future, discover Western Switzerland’s top stories from March 2025.

How Far Can Solar Power Take Us? (A Conversation with Raphaël Domjan)

Swiss eco-adventurer Raphaël Domjan, known for pioneering projects like PlanetSolar and SolarStratos, joins Getting Serious with Woody Wade to discuss Switzerland’s leadership in solar mobility and the broader clean energy transition. In this insightful episode, Domjan reflects on the future of solar-powered aviation, the engineering challenges of scaling up renewables, and the pivotal role of Swiss innovation in driving sustainable progress.

This episode is available on YouTube and Spotify.

ATANIS Biotech secures USD 2 million for its FAST-PASE allergy test

Bern-based start-up ATANIS Biotech has received USD 2 million from FARE to advance its FAST-PASE allergy test, a safer and more accurate alternative to traditional oral food challenges. The test uses engineered mast cells to mimic natural allergic reactions, achieving over 95% accuracy in diagnosing peanut allergies. The funding will help expand its application to other allergies, positioning ATANIS as a frontrunner in next-generation allergy diagnostics.

Fribourg: The Growth Hub of Switzerland – A Video Series (Part 3/8)

In the third installment of the “Fribourg Growth Hub” series, Jerry Krattiger explores the canton’s innovation centers and technology parks. From the bluefactory innovation district to the AgriCo campus and iPrint’s chemistry expertise in Marly, Fribourg is fostering a dynamic ecosystem at the intersection of life sciences, agritech, and advanced manufacturing. This episode reveals how strategic infrastructure and regional collaboration fuel sustainable growth.

.NeuroRestore’s breakthrough in robotics and spinal stimulation restores mobility after paralysis

A team at .NeuroRestore (EPFL/CHUV/UNIL) has developed a novel rehabilitation method combining spinal cord stimulation with robotic-assisted therapy. By synchronizing electrical pulses with movement, the system has helped individuals with spinal cord injuries regain voluntary motion—even outside clinical settings. This innovation marks a leap forward in personalized neurorehabilitation and could reshape global standards for treating paralysis.

CSEM inaugurates Switzerland’s first dry room for next-generation batteries

CSEM in Neuchâtel has unveiled a high-tech dry room dedicated to developing solid-state lithium-metal batteries. With a dew point of -50°C, the facility provides ideal conditions for working with moisture-sensitive materials critical to high-energy-density batteries. The space will support industrial-scale research and offer start-ups access to pilot production lines, helping Switzerland stay ahead in the race to build Europe’s battery industry.

Geneva strengthens its innovation ecosystem with a strategic development plan

Geneva has launched its Innovation Master Plan 2025-2027, backed by CHF 11 million in public funding, to position the canton as a global innovation leader. The plan includes expanding Campus Biotech, boosting the Fongit Innovation Fund, and creating new tools to support entrepreneurs. With a focus on infrastructure, funding, and international visibility, Geneva is building a robust, inclusive, and forward-looking innovation ecosystem.