Wir wünschen Frau Ilaria Bortolazzo weiterhin viel Erfolg!

🏆 A special highlight of the evening was awarding the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 to Mélusine Humbert-Droz. Mélusine’s exceptional thesis, titled “Safety Pharmacology of Acute Mescaline Administration in Healthy Participants,” showcases groundbreaking research that was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Matthias Liechti and Anna Becker in the Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology group.

This award reflects the Swiss Society of Industrial Pharmacists (SSIP / GSIA / SSPI)' commitment to supporting excellence in pharmaceutical sciences. Whether Mélusine uses this award to further her academic journey with a PhD or to celebrate with some well-deserved travel, we are excited to see what her future holds!

As a Society, we are proud to contribute to advancing top-level education, fostering scientific innovation, and supporting talented individuals like Mélusine Humbert-Droz. Congratulations again to her and all the graduates— we look forward to the impact you will make in the field of pharmaceuticals.

Daniel Strasser MSc Pharm PhD on behalf of Swiss Society of Industrial Pharmacists (SSIP / GSIA / SSPI)​​​​​​​

The event began with a warm welcome and an introduction by the GSIA president, who presented the society's mission and emphasized its dedication to fostering excellence in industrial pharmacy and promoting collaboration across the pharmaceutical sector. This presentation set a collaborative tone for the visit, highlighting the mutual commitment to innovation and quality between GSIA and its members.

Following the introduction, the attendees embarked on an exclusive tour of BMS Boudry's state-of-the-art production facility and quality control (QC) laboratories. The tour provided comprehensive insights into BMS's operations, from streamlined production workflows to the rigorous quality checks that uphold their commitment to delivering life-saving medicines.

The visit concluded with a networking dining aperitif, offering participants the chance to exchange perspectives, share professional experiences, and strengthen connections within the pharmaceutical community. The informal setting facilitated meaningful interactions, fostering a spirit of collaboration and camaraderie among attendees.

Overall, the visit was met with great enthusiasm and appreciation. This event was not only an opportunity to learn and connect but also a step toward enhancing the presence of GSIA in the Romandie region, demonstrating the GSIA's commitment to engaging its members across Switzerland.

With over 90 attendees, the event commenced with a private tour of the Swiss Tropical Health Institute in Allschwil, led by Prof. Burri and his team. The General Assembly took place in the Restaurant ZicZac in Allschwil. Key agenda items included the election of 4 new board members (Andrea Zocchi, Raluca Turcu, Gregory Holtzhauer and Vanessa Malagnino) to replace outgoing board members Frédéric Zwahlen, Hansruedi Keller, Daniel Monney and Andreas Stöckli. Reto Brügger was elected as the new president of the society, tasked with defining its future strategy alongside the newly appointed board. Finally, Audrey Luginbuhl, who acted 4 years as board member of the GSIA plus additional 17 years as member of the board of the GSIA foundation, has been awarded as honorary member of the GSIA.
The conclusion of the assembly featured a gathering at the same venue, where the attendees enjoyed a delightful meal and engaging conversations.

What We Saw:

• Advanced Processes: From GMP and Non-GMP labs showcasing the latest in Process Analytical Technology (PAT) to highly automated production lines, the site is a beacon of modern biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• End-to-End Excellence: We explored the seamless flow from upstream processing to warehousing, impressed by the sophisticated zoning and operational design.

Key Takeaways:

• Innovation at Work: Biogen’s facility, with its focus on high-capacity mammalian cell-based therapeutics, highlights the intersection of high technology and healthcare.
• Collaborative Insights: Discussions with Biogen’s experts provided deep dives into the challenges and breakthroughs in large-scale production.

Closing Moments: The visit concluded with a networking session and group photo, symbolizing the strong partnership between GSIA and Biogen.

A huge thank you to the Biogen team for their hospitality and to all GSIA members who joined us. This visit not only strengthened our professional connections but also enriched our understanding of advanced manufacturing processes in the biotech industry.

Stay tuned for more insights and behind-the-scenes looks at industry-leading facilities!

• Capsule Filling Strategies for OEB3-5
• Occupational Hygienist View
• SMEPAC or substrate samplings in isolator environment
• Containment Level & Interfaces required

incl. networking session

Program details see separate agenda

Registration: mlr.office@intergga.ch with subject "SGVC"

Seine Arbeit “Development of novel antibody therapeutics for the treatment of colorectal cancer” entstand in Zusammenarbeit mit der Firma Philochem im Fachbereich Pharmazeutische Immunologie unter Leitung von Prof. Cornelia Halin Winter (ETH Zürich).

Dr. Peter Tiefenböck überreichte den GSIA-Preis an Ramon Benz am 09. Dezember 2023 während der Masterfeier des D-CHAB an der ETH Zürich. Wir wünschen Herrn Ramon Benz weiterhin viel Erfolg!

A big thank you to the speakers and the very interactive crowd!

We are looking forward to continue the evening classes also in 2024!

Best regards

GSIA

Master’s Thesis Abstract

Protein-ligand docking is an essential tool in structure-based drug design with applications ranging from virtual high-throughput screening to pose prediction for lead optimization. This thesis introduces two innovative computational methods, named PocketNet and FusionDock, aimed at improving protein-ligand docking predictions. PocketNet utilizes existing pocket prediction tools to create an ensemble of putative pockets which are then reranked by a deep neural network. Uniquely, the network incorporates ligand information to accurately and selectively identify the correct pocket. This approach can be combined with a traditional docking tool in order to dock ligands to a full protein without knowledge of the binding pocket. FusionDock is a generative deep learning model which aims to replace the docking search function by sampling ligand poses with non-equilibrium dynamics. The model incorporates specific physical priors to reduce overfitting, enhance generalization, and to generate physically meaningful structures. Both methods demonstrated state-of-the-art results when evaluated on an unseen test set and compared against benchmarks. The introduction of these tools provides new insights and marks an advancement in accurate and efficient protein-ligand docking.

Personal Motivation of Matthew Masters

My path to drug sciences was sparked by an early interest in how computers can revolutionize healthcare and medicine. This fascination led me to explore the innovative world of drug discovery, where technology meets biology to find new, innovative treatments. The peak of my academic journey thus far has been my Master's thesis, where I developed new computational methods which utilize artificial intelligence to predict how drugs interact with proteins.

I will pursue this journey with a PhD at the University of Basel . I am focused on addressing the challenge of protein flexibility, which is critically important but often overlooked. My ambition is to create tools that can provide deeper insights into the complex interactions between flexible molecules, which could lead to more effective and targeted therapies. My future aspiration is to bring my expertise to the pharmaceutical industry and continue my work developing computational methods and applying them to solve real-world drug design problems. I am excited about the potential of AI and technology to transform drug discovery, enabling better understanding of medicine at the atomistic level. My goal is to be at the forefront of this transformation, contributing to advancements that could reshape healthcare and improve lives.

The morning session was a whirlwind of excitement, centered around the paramount theme of "The Brain / Mental Health." Renowned speakers, including the esteemed Prof. Robin Teufel, Dr. med Alexandre Datta, and Prof. Linda Simmler, delivered a dynamic and engaging discourse, leaving attendees spellbound.

Amidst a delectable lunch, the Pharma Fair showcased a kaleidoscope of career avenues for aspiring Pharmacy Students. Our GSIA / SSIP booth buzzed with discussions on internships, mentoring programs, immersive experiences, and more, fostering a lively and interactive environment.

In the afternoon, our tailored workshops catered to the specific needs of both Bachelor and Master Students. The former delved into the diverse job profiles that pharmacists can embrace, accompanied by discussions on continual education for sustained employability. Meanwhile, the latter delved deep into the Swiss Pharma / Industry Landscape, shedding light on the latest trends within the Basel Pharma Cluster, all while emphasizing the various educational opportunities and support that GSIA has to offer.

With our primary focus on "Mental Health, the Brain," we proposed a simple yet effective tool for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, addressing crucial aspects of personal, professional, and physical well-being. The fervent enthusiasm surrounding further education to fortify and expand knowledge was truly heartening.

The day pulsated with spirited interactions, thought-provoking inquiries, and an unparalleled zeal for the industry. We are immensely grateful to ASEP for providing us with the platform to represent GSIA / SSIP. Until next year, let's continue this incredible journey together! 💫

Frederic Zwahlen President SSIP

Please find the full report of the 16th Swiss Pharma Science day 2023 in the attachments.

Seine Arbeit “Rezeptur-/Prozessentwicklung für Weichkäsealternativen” entstand im Fachbereich Pharmatechnologie.
​​​​​​​Frédéric Zwahlen überreichte den GSIA-Preis an Jamie Aerne am 29. September 2023 während der Diplomfeier der FHNW auf dem Novartis Campus in Basel.

Wir wünschen Herr Jamie Aerne weiterhin viel Erfolg!

Premièrement l'activité "Pre-wholesale", qui met à disposition de l'industrie pharmaceutique des prestations de stockage et de distribution auprès des acteurs de la santé, ainsi que quelques autres prestations. Ici nous nous trouvons au niveau de la palette ou du carton de transport, donc de quantité conséquente.

Ensuite l'activité de grossiste, qui assure la livraison quotidienne (jusqu'à trois fois par jour), des médicaments et produits de santé auprès des pharmacies, drogueries et établissement médicaux. Ici le rythme s'accélère et la préparation des livraisons est partiellement automatisée pour les produits les plus demandés. Pour les produits plus spécifiques (gros emballage, produits de la chaine du froid, stupéfiants,  ...) le travail est manuel avec l'aide de système de scanage.

Chaque commande est préparée dans une caissette qui se déplace automatiquement auprès des différents secteurs pour recevoir l'article et la quantité demandée, avant de rejoindre le quai de chargement et être regroupée par destination.

Fascinant ballet à travers le bâtiment.

Venue:
F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Grenzacherstrasse 126, Basel, Bau 1

​​​​​​​Event Report

On Thursday, 7^th of September 2023 a group of 30 members could visit the Roche Historical Collection and Archive of Hoffmann-La Roche in Basel. The participants were welcomed at the reception in building no. 1 by curator Alexander L. Bieri. The visitors were led directly to the huge archive hall in the basement on minus 4^th level where the fascinating history of the company was vividly presented by Mister Bieri.

On 1^st of October 1896 Hoffmann-La Roche & Co was founded by Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche and his father (as investor). At the very beginning the business was simply based on sales of chemicals and drug substances. Manufacturing of products like Airol, a powder used to treat wound infections, was conducted at the site in Grenzach (Germany). In 1898 the oral liquid Sirolin against cough was introduced on the market and became the first “blockbuster” of Roche. Another early product was the injectable Digalen, based on digitalis glycosides. The biggest market in those days was Russia, which however was lost due to the revolution in 1917. The years during and between the two world wars were difficult and challenging. The very boost started after 1945, between 1959 and 1969, based on vitamin products, antiinfectives and especially benzodiazepines. During the following years various changes and transformations occurred, not least the strategic switch from small molecular drugs to biotechnologically produced macromolecules like monoclonal antibodies against cancer.

During the early decennials Roche’s growth and success was mainly due to clever and novel marketing activities and setting up affiliates in various countries in Europe as well as abroad early on. With time, the focus on research, based on science and new technologies, became strategically important, which is still warranting the success of nowadays.

After this interesting and excellently presented insight into the company’s history and development, all attendees were invited to an apéro on the 28^th floor, with a wonderful view on the Rhine and the City of Basel.

Many thanks go to Roche and especially to the curator and his two assistances who made this nice event possible.

We are pleased to give you news on the election and renewal of the Board: After 17 years, Dr. Marc Cadisch and Audrey Luginbühl announced their departure from the GSIA Board of Trustees. At today's Board meeting, their  great commitment and engagement toward the Foundation were recognized and celebrated.
We are pleased that two successors have been elected: Christine Moll and Dr. Alexandra Schlicker Spain. Christine Moll is also ready to take over the role of Trustee from Dr. Cadisch. The remaining four Board members were also re-elected for the three-year term of office.

We are happy to mention that the SSIP Foundation will again support the best Master Thesis related to pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Zürich, as well as the Bachelor Thesis at the Technical School of Life Science in Muttenz.
On June 8, 2023, the GSIA Board of Trustees approved the following two applications to receive support with each a value of 5'000 CHF:

– Contribution to a research stay of a student coming from outside Switzerland at the University of Basel.
– Contribution to the Master Thesis of a student from the University of Basel.

We continue to engage for the development of young academic in the pharmaceutical sciences.

The thesis provides students with a unique opportunity to apply and expand their scientific skills in the fields of pharmaceutical research and gain valuable insights into research structures and processes. The master’s thesis

project is conducted within 10 months during the 3rd and 4th study semester, although the project start can be set individually (most students start in summer or fall). The thesis is concluded with a written report and an oral exam, which takes place after submission of the thesis and includes a presentation of their work and a colloquium.

Importantly, the conditions to perform a master’s thesis have been designed to facilitate a placement in the pharmaceutical industry. For example, the thesis will not be published, the exam is not public, and only one faculty member of the department is involved in the committee alongside the local supervisors and the candidate. Many students already conduct their thesis in industry groups, but the interest is usually higher than the available positions.

As industry representatives, we the members of GSIA can support the university’s efforts to educate the next generation of pharmaceutical researchers by proposing master’s thesis projects that cover different areas.

Thereby, we have the unique opportunity to mediate industry experience to the students and support their career decision-making.

Please feel free to visit the homepage of the department, which provides examples of currently proposed master’s thesis topics:

https://pharma.unibas.ch/de/education/msc-drug-sciences/masters-theses-in-drug-sciences/

In case of interest, please send a brief, general project outline (2-3 sentences) to studienkoordination-pharma@unibas.ch. You will then be contacted by one of the research group heads related to the project topics to discuss the next steps and finalise the project description.

Thank you very much for your valuable contribution!

On May 4, 2023, this year's General Assembly of the Society of Swiss Industrial Pharmacists (SSIP) took place at the EuroAirport in Basel.  
​​​​​​​More than 60 participants took the opportunity to have a private tour of the Cargo Terminal warehouse, a new state-of-the-art facility especially in terms of temperature-controlled goods, where around 115,000 tons of freight are loaded and shipped every year. The General Assembly then took place in the Salon des Aviateurs directly at the EuroAirport. In particular was the election of a new Board member, Peter Tiefenböck, who will newly be responsible for the relationship and coordination with the ETH in Zürich.

The conclusion of the event then took place at the Restaurant Schützenhaus Basel, where we ended the evening with a fine meal and good conversation.

Mark Grothkopp and Matteo Bernasconi shared a very interesting update on University of St. Gallen’s collaboration with FDA and answered the questions from the audience. Some of the discussions were continued during the Apero in Roche's Building 1.

Looking forward to welcoming you at one of GSIA's future events.
​​​​​​​Axel Zimmermann

Addressing the urgent necessity of interprofessional collaboration, the new CAS course in Medication Safety is designed to provide participants from different healthcare professions with the relevant knowledge about risks and opportunities of medication processes in both the hospital and primary care setting.

As medication safety leaders and advocates, successful participants will be able to proactively initiate, lead and monitor medication-related activities in their institution.»

– from Continuing education programs: CAS in Medication Safety - University of Bern

Further information on the course can be found here, on the Website of the University of Bern or in the attached documents.

With more than 700 employees, Takeda Neuchâtel is one of the ten largest employers in the Canton of Neuchâtel and one of the benchmark biopharmaceutical production sites in Switzerland. Active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the site employs a wide range of professionals trained in biotechnologies and their application in industrial production. Takeda Neuchâtel produces three drugs that treat two types of blood clotting disorders or deficiencies: - Factor VIII: It is a protein necessary for the blood coagulation chain. This protein is missing or deficient in patients with hemophilia A, the most common and well-known form of blood clotting disorders and deficiencies. - Factor VIII 'long lasting': This is a long-acting version of Factor VIII in the patient's body. - Von Willebrand Factor: It is a protein necessary for the blood clotting chain. This protein is missing or deficient in patients with Von Willebrand's disease, a rare and still underdiagnosed form of blood clotting disorders and deficiencies. Takeda Neuchâtel is the only biotechnology site in the world to produce the Von Willebrand Factor protein in the form of a recombinant product. It is a particularly complex and sensitive molecule. It took years of research and development to perfect its manufacturing process and to successfully produce it on an industrial scale. Von Willebrand Factor is the largest recombinant molecule produced at an industrial level. As such, Takeda Neuchâtel has a unique expertise in the world, developed over more than twenty years, which makes it a center of excellence recognized worldwide.

After this more academic part feeding our brain with new impulses, all attendees were invited to join the Cube Lounge on the 12th Floor, with a wonderful view on the Rhine and the Basel City. Food and drinks were served and supported the guests for conversation between old and new colleagues, as well the Team of the University of Applied Sciences.

Thanks to the FHNW to make this nice event possible.

Jovana Radmanovic wurde mit dem GSIA-Preis 2022 für die beste Masterarbeit im Studiengang Pharmazie an der ETH Zürich ausgezeichnet.
​​​​​​​Ihre Arbeit “Relationship of Body Mass Index and Clinical Response to Biologics among Swiss Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Cohort Study” entstand im Fachbereich Pharmakoepidemiologie unter Leitung von Prof. Andrea Burden (ETH Zürich). Dr. Peter Tiefenböck überreichte den GSIA-Preis an Jovana Radmanovic am 03. Dezember 2022 während der Masterfeier des D-CHAB an der ETH Zürich.

Wir wünschen Frau Jovana Radmanovic weiterhin viel Erfolg!

Daniel Kehl presented his considerations and views as an entrepreneur on setting up an aseptic filling CDMO. Identifying customer needs and adressing them with organisational and technical solutions.

Julian Petersen and Thorsten Häfner presented on Pharma 4.0 and the new Annex I. With a special highlight on gloveless isolator technology and the prerequisites to make it possible.

John Henchion presented on the QP perspective and asked, whether each count in microbiological monitoring needs to lead to a reject of an aseptic batch. He showed the attendants how, with QRM principles, a case by case analysis will lead to different conclusions.

After all those interesting presentations the attendants and speakers got the opportunity to discuss topics in further detail, or just to connect with industry peers during the Apéro.

This event was specifically targeted towards our younger colleagues. In fact, over half of the participants were young pharmacists. Co-founder and CEO Marija Plodinec, PhD showcased the nanomechanical platform powered by ARTIDIS Net, revolutionizing the clinical workflow in oncology. A lab tour impressively demonstrated the tasks and capabilities of this exciting technology platform.
At the end we were able to enjoy an aperitif donated by the Artidis AG and could devote ourselves to further interesting conversations among the members.

Many thanks to Artidis AG for the warm welcome and the exciting visit.
​​​​​​​A big thank you also to all participants who made the event an interesting event for everyone.

Jari Acocella closed his Bachelor study with the best Thesis in Pharmatechnology. The title of his work is «  Influence of PLGA D-Glucose/Poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) and Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) on the actice substance release from Signifor LAR® »

We want to congratulate Jari Acocella and honored his achievement through our SSPI Award.
​​​​​​​The SSPI wishes all the best to Jari for his future career in the Life Sciences. 

Das Panel der Speaker ist unerwartet kleiner, kurzfristige Ausfälle erlauben eine spontane Improvisation zum Thema Berufseinstieg, nachdem die Interessierten einen Überblick zum Thema Pharmaindustrie von der GSIA bekommen haben. Spontan entwickelt sich ein Diskussionsforum mit dem Publikum und den Vortragenden. Die Arbeit in einem Startup, einem Interessenverbande und einer grossen Pharmafirma werden verglichen, erläutert und hinterfragt. Die Zeit vergeht im Nu und viele der angefangenen Diskussionen werden beim Apéro weitergeführt. Ein tolles Publikum, wir freuen uns auf nächstes Jahr und bedanken uns bei der swissYPG für die Kollaboration

Die Armeeapotheke erfüllt verschiedene Aufgaben im Bereich der Versorgungssicherheit sowohl der Armee als auch der Bevölkerung. Dabei werden neben einer eigenen Produktionsanlage, welche in der Besichtigung betrachtet werden konnte, auch eine Grosshandelsfunktion innerhalb der Armee wahrgenommen. Darüber hinaus fungiert die Armeeapotheke auch als eine Stelle, welche bestimmte Antidote vorrätig hält und damit die Versorgung der Schweiz mit Antidoten sicherstellt.

Eine Interessante Diskussion zwischen der Leitung der Armeeapotheke und den anwesenden GSIA Mitgliedern entspann sich rund um die Frage, wie weit die Aufgabe der Armeeapotheke für die Sicherstellung der Versorgungssicherheit in der Schweiz gehen soll.

Zum Ende durften wir ein von der GSIA gestiftetes Apéro geniessen und konnten uns noch weiteren interessanten Gesprächen unter den Mitgliedern widmen.

Vielen Dank an die Armeeapotheke für den herzlichen Empfang und die spannende Führung. Herzlichen Dank auch an alle Teilnehmer, welche den Anlass zu einem interessanten Event für Alle werden liessen.

Please find the strategy report in attachment

Ihre Arbeit “Evaluation of a drug therapy safety algorithm for the detection of Triple Whammy prescriptions in inpatients at risk of acute kidney injury” wurde am Kantonsspital Aarau durchgeführt und wissenschaftlich von Prof. Carla Meyer-Massetti (Uni Bern und Inselspital) begleitet.

Dr. med. h.c. Uwe E. Jocham, Präsident GSIA-Stiftung, überreichte den GSIA-Preis an Jana Schelshorn am 19. September 2022. Wir wünschen Jana Schelshorn weiterhin viel Erfolg!

Hansruedi Keller, Mitglied des Vorstands

Was haben Enten und Pharmazeuten gemeinsam?

We wish Nicole much success for her future career.

Frederic Zwahlen President SSIP

This training was designed with the help of experts from the pharmaceutical industry, in order to allow pharmacists or interested persons with another science based education (Master in Biology, Chemistry, etc) to get the necessary knowledge to onboard in the Quality Management function of a pharmaceutical company.

​​​​​​​We hope to have sufficient candidates to launch this program in November 2022.

You find details in the enclosed brochure or directly on the webpage of the University of Geneva

The site manager Emilio Sanchez welcomed the visitors to the site and introduced the guests to the company ThermoFisher. Lengnau site has been acquired by ThermoFisher in October 2021. Currently the site has 208 employees and is still ramped up (commissioning phase), the go live is planned for Q4/2023 to Q1/2024. The site represents a milestone to complement TFs existing network of biologics manufacturing sites (Groningen, St. Louis, Brisbane) with a larger scale biologics manufacturing site (with up to 12kL vessels).

The plant tour was led by Barbara Beugger and Arnold Nigsch. Both gave us an interesting insight into this state of the art manufacturing site. It was amazing to see the paperless, well-designed site with the full integration of digital systems. 

Thanks to Emilio, Barbara and Arnold for receiving us in Lengnau. We’ll come back for sure.

​​​​​​​After 2 years of restriction, it was a great opportunity to finally re-connect with peers.

Our society was able to navigate relatively well through this challenging period of constant changes: network events could be organized and our activities with Universities and the younger generation could at least be partially kept alive.

We were also lucky to have Daniel Strasser elected as a new board member at the general assembly.

We look forward to the year 2022, offering further networking events and working on the preparation of a continuous education program.

We look forward to seeing you soon in person again.

Best regards

Your GSIA board

Link to the protocol (for members only)