Dr. Peter Steiner prevailed over more than 100 applicants. He is a proven expert in the life sciences sector and also has extensive start-up experience as a founder. «With this wealth of experience, he will accompany the companies in the ‘grow cluster’ as a sparring partner and provide them with targeted support for their next growth steps in the areas of technology, infrastructure, and financing,» says Matthias Kaiserswerth, President of the grow Foundation.
He is delighted with the new addition: «With Peter Steiner, we are gaining a leader who ideally combines scientific expertise and entrepreneurial thinking. His experience in the life sciences industry and in building young companies will make a decisive contribution to further strengthening the innovation ecosystem in the Zimmerberg-Sihltal region.»
Experience in the first steps up to the sale to Novartis
Peter Steiner brings over two decades of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry to the table – from founding and scaling young companies to integrating them into international corporations. He was co-founder and COO of PreComb Therapeutics AG and Insilico Biotechnologyn AG in Stuttgart, as well as a member of the management board of ESBATech AG, which was later acquired by Alcon and Novartis.
As a serial entrepreneur, Peter Steiner has first-hand knowledge of the challenges faced by young life science companies: from financing and regulatory requirements to building effective teams, laboratory infrastructures, and viable business models. He intends to leverage this extensive experience in the future to support start-ups in the “grow cluster” not only in an advisory capacity, but also strategically and operationally.
«As a serial entrepreneur, I look forward to contributing my experience and network to help newly founded and growing companies achieve success. My goal is to promote and expand this dynamic cluster of innovative start-ups – with the vision that ‘grow cluster’ will be mentioned in the same breath as the leading life science centers of Zurich, Basel, Lausanne, and Geneva,» says Peter Steiner.
Both founder and investor
His professional career has been characterized by a combination of research and entrepreneurship. Steiner has built several highly specialized teams, planned and implemented large laboratory structures, and accompanied financing from the pre-seed to the Series A phase. Thanks to his many years of experience in management and on boards of directors, he is familiar with the perspectives of founders as well as those of investors and industry partners.
In addition to his entrepreneurial experience, he brings with him in-depth knowledge in the areas of process development, digitalization, infrastructure management, and corporate development. He has an extensive network in the Swiss life sciences community, among national funding institutions, and in the international investor landscape.
Goal: Increase the visibility of the cluster
With Peter Steiner, the “grow cluster” gains a leader who combines science, entrepreneurship, and strategic development. He wants to strengthen the Wädenswil and Horgen locations in a targeted manner, further increase the visibility of the cluster, and expand the bridge between research, start-ups, investors, and established companies in order to attract more start-ups to the cluster.
Farewell to Dolf van Loon after 15 years
Peter Steiner succeeds Dolf van Loon, who has played a key role in building and shaping the “grow cluster” over the past 15 years. Under his leadership, the location has established itself as an important hub for life science start-ups and raised its profile in the region and beyond. The Board of Directors and partners of the grow cluster would like to express their sincere thanks to Dolf van Loon for his great commitment, his professional expertise, and his dedicated work for the Wädenswil location. He will be officially bid farewell at the annual grow aperitif in June.