Ilmac Lausanne 2026 continues to grow and strengthens its role as the Life Sciences platform of Western Switzerland

The Ilmac Lausanne 2026 concluded after two days of exhibitions with significant growth: 3,952 participants – 18.6% more than in 2024 – gathered information from 213 exhibitors, 7% more than the previous event. The exhibition space also expanded. Over 70 technical contributions focused on key future topics such as automation, artificial intelligence, Process Analytical Technology, and biotech. A fully booked Startup Area, concrete cooperation and project inquiries, and the inaugural Future of Life Sciences Area in Lausanne highlight the growing importance of Ilmac as an innovation and business platform in Western Switzerland.

The again increased number of visitors confirms the growing relevance of Ilmac Lausanne as a meeting point for companies, research, technology providers, and professionals from Western Switzerland and beyond. “Ilmac stands for quality, relevance, and targeted networking within the life sciences and chemistry industries. It is a carefully curated platform where the right industry participants come together: exhibitors, content, speakers, and visitors are specifically brought together with a focus on quality, relevance, and decision-making competence. Especially Ilmac Lausanne has impressively demonstrated the significance of this format for the industry. Here, technology, science, and industrial practice come together, and from this exchange, concrete collaborations, projects, and business opportunities arise. The high quality of conversations and the strong presence of decision-makers confirm this claim. At the same time, we are building an important bridge to Western Switzerland with Ilmac Lausanne, complementing Ilmac Basel perfectly,” says Céline Futterknecht, Exhibition Director of Ilmac.

Michael Staudinger, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser (Switzerland) AG, also agrees: “The future of the chemical and life sciences industry is created where innovative technologies, research, and practical expertise come together. Ilmac Lausanne offers a unique platform for this and demonstrates how modern process automation contributes to sustainably increasing quality, efficiency, and safety in production processes and prepares companies for the future. We at Endress+Hauser looked forward to the personal exchange with professionals from research, development, and engineering at Ilmac Lausanne.”

Concrete Business Initiatives at the Center

In addition to knowledge transfer, business initiation was at the heart of the two event days. Exhibitors reported qualified conversations, new leads, concrete project inquiries, and follow-up contacts. The networking lunch, networking aperitif, and exchanges in the exhibition halls created additional opportunities to deepen existing relationships and initiate new partnerships. The importance of the industry for the economic and innovation hub of Western Switzerland was also visible at the event. State Councillor Isabelle Moret, Head of the Department of Economy, Innovation, Employment, and Cultural Heritage of the Canton of Vaud, emphasized during the networking aperitif the significance of the life sciences industry for the region’s economic and technological development.

“For over 30 years, Socorex has been a loyal exhibitor at Ilmac. There, we not only meet our Swiss sales partners but also exchange ideas with laboratory professionals from many different sectors. This diversity is a real plus of Ilmac, and we were looking forward to participating again this year in Lausanne with our liquid dosing instruments,” says Yves Lachavanne, Marketing & Sales Support Manager, Socorex Isba SA.

The exhibitor Agilent Technologies (Switzerland) AG adds: “Ilmac Lausanne offers Agilent a unique opportunity to connect with the scientific community of the French-speaking part of Switzerland and showcase not only our innovative laboratory solutions but also the strength of our local sales, service, and application teams. Together, we help our customers turn analytical challenges into actionable insights and measurable results.”

Technology and Data Transform Labs and Production

Overall, 70 lectures, pitches, and discussion formats across various stages highlighted key transformation areas of the industry. On the first day, Process Analytical Technology (PAT) was the focus: discussions centered on how data-driven process monitoring, digital models, and automation can improve quality, efficiency, and sustainability in production processes.

The second day was dedicated to biotech, biotools, and the Swiss life sciences ecosystem. Together with partners such as the Swiss Chemical Society, BioAlps, the Canton of Vaud, Innovaud, and the Swiss Biotech Association, it was shown how new technologies can be transferred more quickly from research and development into concrete applications.

International speakers complemented the Swiss perspective: Prof. Brian Freeland from Dublin City University discussed the use of Process Analytical Technologies, digital twins, and data-based models for more efficient and sustainable bioprocesses. The contributions made clear that the competitiveness of the industry will increasingly depend on how successfully data, automation, biotechnology, and industrial implementation are integrated.

Future of Life Sciences Area Makes Future Technologies Tangible

With the inaugural Future of Life Sciences Area in Lausanne, the event’s profile was specifically expanded. Together with Siemens, HDI, laboratory planner Tonelli, and other partners, developments in automation, artificial intelligence, laboratory planning, and industrial digitalization were showcased through concrete applications and future scenarios.

On the first day, the focus was on the laboratory of the future: discussions revolved around how laboratories are evolving into more interconnected, data-driven, and automated work environments. The second day was dedicated to AI & quantum computing and their impact on research, production, and decision-making processes in life sciences. Brett Staahl, Co-Founder and VP of External Innovation at Scribe Therapeutics (USA), demonstrated how gene editing technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming therapy development. Showcases, technical contributions, and dialogue formats made clear that many of these technologies already enable concrete applications today – at the same time, new requirements for skills, infrastructure, regulation, and collaboration are emerging.

“The first Future of Life Sciences - Area at Ilmac Lausanne created a fantastic space to explore how new technologies and changing needs will shape the industry. Excellent speakers, lively panel discussions, and innovative exhibitors highlighted the opportunities for companies in Switzerland to innovate, collaborate, and stay competitive,” summarizes Frank Kumli, moderator of the Future of Life Sciences - Area and co-founder of The Futuring Alliance.

Fully Booked Startup Area Connects Young Companies with Industry

The Startup Area was fully booked even before the event began: all 18 curated spots were filled. Young companies from Switzerland and the European environment presented their technologies and business models through direct exchanges with industry, research, and potential investors. Live pitches led to concrete follow-up discussions and cooperation inquiries. Thus, Ilmac provided young companies access to established industry players and simultaneously offered industry and research insights into new technologies and business models.

The format Women in Life Sciences, held in Lausanne for the first time, also set a new accent. The focus was on diversity, leadership, the gender health gap, and how different perspectives and talents can be more strongly integrated into the development of the industry. The Speakers Corner complemented the program with concise technical contributions on product innovations, concrete applications, and current industry topics.

Lausanne and Basel: Two Platforms, One Strong Bridge

With locations in Lausanne and Basel, Ilmac builds an important bridge between two central regions of the Swiss chemical and life sciences industry. Both platforms enhance the visibility, networking, and development of the Swiss site and its position in the European market environment. Lausanne offers a focused access to the strong Western Swiss life sciences community and creates proximity and personal exchange in a compact two-day format. Ilmac Basel brings together national and international market participants on a larger scale. Both trade fairs complement each other perfectly and generate impulses for innovation, collaboration, and competitiveness – in Switzerland and beyond.

Save the Date

The next Ilmac Basel will take place from September 21 to 23, 2027, at Messe Basel. The next Ilmac Lausanne will follow from September 20 to 21, 2028, at Expo Beaulieu Lausanne. More information at www.ilmac.ch.