JFG Life Sciences Foundation acquires ErfindungsVerwertung

The Basel-based JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel has acquired ErfindungsVerwertung AG (EVA), the majority of which was held by the Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) and the Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB). The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. EVA acted as initial coach as well as seed stage investor for life science startups in northwestern Switzerland. It helps selected projects, innovations and technologies to bridge the gap from idea to successful implementation. The companies will continue to be supported by the current CEO, Dr. Werner Enz. The Chairman of the Board of EVA is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

The JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel was founded on December 18, 2018. Its purpose is to promote the transfer of innovation from research to industry, be it by supporting young entrepreneurs in Switzerland in the life sciences and related fields, or by encouraging innovation and knowledge and technology transfer at the University of Basel. The Foundation aims to strengthen Basel and Switzerland as a location for science and business, also for future generations. The Foundation can invest into companies operating in Switzerland or abroad in the life sciences and related fields.

Dr. Jürg F. Geigy has funded the Foundation and transferred existing investments in life sciences.

Members of the Foundation’s Council of the JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel are

• Dr. Jürg Felix Geigy, President
• Prof. Dr. Torsten Schwede, Vice-Rector of Research at the University of Basel
• Dr. Matthias Staehelin, VISCHER AG lawyers and notaries
• Dr. Peter Burckhardt, Chairman of the Board of EVA

Managing Director of the foundation will be Patrick Burgermeister, currently a partner in the VC group BioMedPartners, Basel.

"I am delighted that the newly incorporated Foundation supports the innovation efforts of the University of Basel," says Rector Andrea Schenker-Wicki. "The objectives of the foundation are congruent with the aspirations of the University’s innovation initiative," says Schenker-Wicki, “to sensitise university staff, to teach entrepreneurial skills and to provide startups with the necessary resources.” Private sponsorship such as the JFG Life Sciences Foundation of the University of Basel actively supports the University in all these three areas, emphasises the Rector.