Boston | June 26, 2026
With their excellent universities, research institutions, and many global companies, Boston and Basel are two of the world’s leading life sciences hubs. In recognition of these shared strengths and interests, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Canton of Basel-City established a Sister-State relationship in 2002. But the similarities between the two extend far beyond the life sciences: both are proactively advancing climate initiatives and sustainability strategies, prioritizing emissions reduction, energy efficiency, and the development of resilient urban centers.
The intersection of these two topics, biotech and sustainability, will be on the agenda when the President of the Executive Council of Basel-City, Conradin Cramer, visits Boston next month. After taking part in the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York, Mr. Cramer will travel to Massachusetts for meetings with Boston stakeholders. On the occasion of his visit, Swissnex and Roche-Genentech will host Sustainable Biotech Hubs: Perspectives from Basel and Boston on July 13, exploring how biotech innovation and sustainability goals can mutually reinforce one another, with a focus on infrastructure and emissions reduction. The event will examine how the leading industry in Basel and Boston can contribute to climate and environmental efforts in both regions, and how sustainable infrastructure can benefit biotech labs and manufacturing. The following week on July 20, Swissnex will host Engineering Bacteria for Next-Gen Therapeutics, a conversation between Basel- and Boston-area experts on how bacteria’s naturally evolved nano-needles can be harnessed for pinpoint drug delivery, featuring Marek Basler, Professor of Infection Biology the University of Basel’s Biozentrum.
These events are part of a collaboration between Swissnex, the Canton of Basel-City, and the University of Basel to further develop Basel-Boston connections across life sciences, sustainability, quantum research, and other innovative fields, with the goal of deepening existing relationships, forming new connections, and developing partnerships between the two cities. Additional events and activities will follow over the next year.
