The award is given by BioAlps (the Lake Geneva Life Sciences Cluster) to thank and recognise people who have played a major role in giving Western Switzerland its international reputation in life sciences.
The Award is a glass trophy that contains the DNA helix, the chemist’s serpent and a cog to symbolise both technologies in life sciences and the complex mechanisms of life itself.
Professor Patrick Aebischer, president of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), gave the laudation for Werner Bauer, paying tribute to Mr Bauer’s outstanding career including his important contribution to life sciences, especially in Switzerland.
Benoît Dubuis, president of the BioAlps Association, presented the award to Mr Bauer at the tenth BioAlps Networking Day at the premises of Merck Sorono in Geneva.
Mr Bauer was delighted to be chosen for the award, both personally and in recognition of the excellent collaboration and networking there is in life sciences in Switzerland. In accepting the award, Bauer highlighted the importance of venture capital: “It is very important to have resources to explore new ideas and technologies. That’s why Nestlé is involved in several venture capital funds, including Life Ventures and Venture Incubator. I personally oversee our venture capital initiatives because I admire the power of innovation of start-up companies,” he said.
He closed his speech by saying: “Having spent the first half of my career in academia, and the other in the business world, I am particularly pleased to receive this award because it honours the role of science in business.”
As CTO, Bauer directs Nestlé’s innovation, technology, research and development strategy and is responsible for its implementation.
Source: Nestlé
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