General Assembly 2026: Innovation needs reliable framework conditions

Switzerland remains one of the world’s leading locations for chemistry, pharmaceuticals and life sciences. At the same time, it is facing a substantial increase in international competition. At its 144th Annual General Meet-ing, scienceindustries emphasised the importance of reliable framework conditions, open markets and stable relationships with the most important trading partners.

The Annual General Meeting of scienceindustries was held this year at Sika Ltd in Zurich and was marked by an increasingly challenging international environment. Geopolitical tensions, increasing industrial competition and regulatory uncertainties are putting pressure on export-oriented industries around the world.

The event was opened by Martin Waser, Head Legal Sustainability & Regulatory Governance at Sika Ltd. Martin Schlegel, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Swiss National Bank (SNB), was welcomed as a guest speaker. He gave a speech on the economic situation and the monetary policy challenges facing Switzerland.

Actively safeguarding competitiveness

In her speech, Chair Annette Luther emphasised that Switzerland's competitiveness is declining for the innovative sectors represented by scienceindustries: “Switzerland's competitive advantages are at risk of being eroded in the new geopolitical context. Switzerland must now actively safeguard its locational advantages – companies need planning certainty, good market access and innovation-friendly regulation.”

International competition for investment, talent and technology is intensifying. At the same time, geopolitical uncertainties, protectionist trends and regulatory burdens are on the rise worldwide. “Stability is important, but it is no longer enough today. Anyone wishing to keep pace in the international arena must face up to the new geo-political reality and adapt quickly,” said Luther.

For scienceindustries, one thing is clear: Switzerland must secure stable relations with its key trading partners and maintain attractive framework conditions for research, production and innovation. Access to skilled workers, strong educational and research institutions, and affordable energy remain equally crucial. The chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors account for more than half of Swiss exports and are a key pillar of Switzerland’s prosperity. From the point of view of scienceindustries, the coming years will be decisive in determining whether Switzerland can hold its own in the face of international competition.

New members of the Executive Board 

The Executive Board was elected at the Annual General Meeting for the term of office from 2026 to 2030. The following new members were elected to the Executive Board:

• Gianluca Colombo, dsm-firmenich Ltd
• Yvonne Ehrmann, Sandoz Ltd
• Dr Stefan Randl, Siegfried Ltd
• Dr Tobias Schalow, CABB LTD
• Dr Anne-Kathrin Stoller, Bachem Ltd
• Martin Waser, Sika Ltd

Annette Luther was confirmed as Chair for the 2026 to 2030 term of office. With the new members, the Executive Board is systematically strengthening its technical expertise and the broad entrenchment of the industry.

scienceindustries would like to thank the departing and active Board members for their commitment and their important contribution to the association's continued development. With their expertise and dedication, they help shape scienceindustries' position as the strong voice of the chemical, pharmaceutical and life sciences industries.

Further information:

Stephan Mumenthaler, Director

Tel. 079 593 91 63, stephan.mumenthaler@scienceindustries.ch