Swiss Biobanking Platform

What Swiss Biobanking Platform does

Swiss Biobanking Platform is a Swiss non-profit association founded in 2016 and headquartered at Biopôle in Epalinges, Vaud. It operates as the national research infrastructure for biobanking in Switzerland and as the Swiss national node of BBMRI-ERIC (the European Research Infrastructure for Biobanking), funded primarily by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and supported by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The organization serves biobanks (human and non-human, academic and hospital-based), researchers seeking access to biological samples, and research institutions, with a network of 100 certified biobanks and 153 quality labels awarded over 10 years. Its core product ecosystem comprises NExT (Network Exploration Tool, the first national e-catalogue combining directory and sample-level catalogue features), SMPL (an event-based Biobank Information Management System integrated into the DiData platform), the three-tier VITA/NORMA/OPTIMA labelling programme mapping onto ISO 20387 accreditation criteria, harmonized SBP Datasets aligned with MIABIS 3.0 and SPREC 3.0 standards, and the CAS in Biobanking training programme (12 ECTS) co-developed with University of Geneva, HSeT Foundation, and Pasteur Institute.

The business model is predominantly public grant-funded: most tools, templates (72 harmonized documents), the labelling programme, NExT catalogue access, and the Cost Calculator are provided free of charge to network members, while fee-bearing revenue is limited to the CAS training programme administered through the University of Geneva. SMPL generates licensing revenue through DiData as an embedded BIMS module, and the CPCR Service Finder extends monetization-adjacent tooling into clinical research infrastructure. Distribution combines direct network engagement with the broader BBMRI-ERIC European channel and the international DiData SMPL deployment. Strategic positioning is reinforced by partnerships with SCTO, SPHN, the Swiss Cancer Institute, swissethics, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, and the Health 2030 Genome Center, as well as co-development of the Quality Handbook for Biobanks with German Biobank Network, BBMRI.pl, and BBMRI.be. Upcoming milestones include hosting Europe Biobank Week 2027 in Lausanne and the 10th anniversary of the platform and Liquid Biobank Bern in 2026.

Name

Swiss Biobanking Platform

Legal name

Swiss Biobanking Platform

Website

https://swissbiobanking.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Swiss Biobanking Platform is a Swiss non-profit national research infrastructure established in 2016 that supports 100+ biobanks through quality labelling, sample management tools, harmonized datasets, and training, serving as the Swiss node of BBMRI-ERIC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biobanking Research Infrastructure

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Biobank & Biospecimen Management LIMS (HLACAMAG)

Keywords

• Biobanking research infrastructure
• Sample management software
• Biobank quality certification
• Biological sample catalog
• Biobanking training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Epalinges

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Research Funding: Primary funding from Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) since 2016, supporting establishment and operation as national research infrastructure.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Swiss Biobanking Platform is a non-profit association that operates as Switzerland's national research infrastructure for biobanking, providing biobanks and researchers with an integrated ecosystem of tools and services. Its core offerings include NExT (national e-catalogue for sample discovery), SMPL (event-based sample management software), a three-tier quality labelling programme (VITA, NORMA, OPTIMA), harmonized datasets aligned with international standards, professional training via CAS in Biobanking, and a cost calculator for financial sustainability.

Product overview

Swiss Biobanking Platform operates as a national research infrastructure for biobanking with a three-component architecture: the Platform (executive and coordination), the Network (supporting biobanks through tools and services), and the Node (connecting researchers to samples and infrastructure). The core product portfolio includes NExT (national e-catalogue for sample discovery), SMPL (event-based Biobank Information Management System integrated with DiData), and three-tier labelling programme (VITA, NORMA, OPTIMA). Supporting tools include CAS in Biobanking training, Cost Calculator, SBP Datasets, Support Documents Library, CPCR Service Finder, and SQAN evaluation platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VITA Label: Compliance with legal and ethical framework - first level label recognizing biobanks meeting governance requirements.
• NORMA Label
• OPTIMA Label
• NExT
• SMPL
• CAS in Biobanking

Products and services

• NExT (Network Exploration Tool) National e-catalogue for Swiss biobanks combining a directory (biobank-level search) and a catalogue (sample-level search). Enables biobanks to showcase their collections and researchers to discover samples based on multiple criteria such as disease, sex, and age. Integrates with the BBMRI-ERIC Directory for cross-border sample visibility.
• SMPL (Sample Management PLatform) Event-based Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) integrated into the DiData platform, providing ready-to-use sample management workflows with full traceability. Pre-configured with Swiss Biobanking Core and Extended Datasets and aligned with international standards (MIABIS, SPREC), enabling rapid implementation without dedicated IT resources. Available to any biobank internationally with a DiData contract.
• VITA Label Entry-level quality label recognizing compliance with legal and ethical framework, awarded through remote document review evaluation. Covers governance compliance including regulation, agreements, consent, responsibilities, ethics, confidentiality, and safety. First step in the three-tier labelling programme supporting biobanks toward ISO 20387 accreditation.
• NORMA Label Intermediate quality label evaluating standardisation of operational processes through on-site visits. Covers resources and infrastructure, personnel competencies, process management, and methods and quality control. Criteria based on ISO 20387 standard. Second step in the three-tier labelling programme.
• OPTIMA Label Advanced quality label enabling establishment of a Quality Management System with proper documentation management and implementation of Quality Indicators. Covers quality governance, documentation, continuous improvement, and risk and sustainability. Highest level in the three-tier labelling programme supporting biobanks toward ISO 20387 accreditation.
• CPCR Service Finder National tool developed by the Coordination Platform Clinical Research with technical expertise from Swiss Biobanking. Allows researchers to browse services offered by main national research infrastructures and identify the right contacts for support across Swiss clinical research organizations.
• CAS in Biobanking (Certificate of Advanced Studies) Professional certification programme in biobanking developed with the University of Geneva, HSeT Foundation, and Pasteur Institute. Three-module programme covering basics of biobanking, implementation of processes, and professional management. Awards 12 ECTS credits and is unique in Switzerland for biobanking certification.
• Cost Calculator Financial sustainability tool enabling biobank infrastructures to determine the real costs of their services and implement appropriate cost-recovery mechanisms. Includes Excel calculator, user guide, and appendix documents. Freely downloadable for biobank infrastructures.
• SBP Datasets Harmonised data structures for Swiss biobanking aligned with international standards including Core Dataset, Extended Dataset, and Biobank-Specific Dataset. Available for human (liquid/tissue), bacteria, and veterinary samples. Pre-integrated into the SMPL BIMS for standardized, comparable, and searchable biobank data.
• Support Documents Library Comprehensive set of 72 downloadable documents including biobank regulation templates, Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) templates, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality manuals, consent templates, datasets, BIMS Guidelines, Nagoya Protocol documentation, and preanalytical condition recommendations.
• SQAN (Online Evaluation Platform) Online platform for biobank self-assessment and evaluation under the labelling programme. Biobanks register and complete detailed questionnaires covering governance, processes, and Quality Management System to apply for VITA, NORMA, or OPTIMA labels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 biobanks certified in the network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• BBMRI-ERICcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research infrastructure for biobanking. Swiss Biobanking serves as the Swiss National Node, acting as intermediary between Swiss biobanks and the European network, participating in 10-Year Roadmap and federated platform initiatives.
• Swiss Clinical Trial Organisation (SCTO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on SBP survey for sample management practices within CTU Network, and development of Easy Guide to Clinical Studies biobanking module.
• Swiss Personalized Health Network (SPHN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint collaboration on data infrastructure enabling interoperable health data. SPHN Sounding Board participation with representative Christine Joye representing Swiss Biobanking.
• Swiss Cancer InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Understanding to explore potential collaborations in advancing biomedical research and biobanking infrastructure. Includes joint development of CPCR Service Finder.
• swissethicsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst partner to include resources in CPCR Service Finder. swissethics brings together regional and cantonal ethics committees for research involving humans in Switzerland.
• University of GenevamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAS in Biobanking programme anchored within Faculty of Medicine at University of Geneva, providing 12 ECTS credits upon completion.
• HSeT FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in development of Certificate of Advanced Studies in Biobanking training programme.
• Pasteur InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in development of CAS in Biobanking training programme.
• DiDatacoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical partner for SMPL (Sample Management Plugin) Biobank Information Management System. SMPL is fully integrated into DiData platform. Swiss Biobanking owns SMPL module and has established license fees through DiData.
• SIB Swiss Institute of BioinformaticsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Genome of Switzerland (GoS) initiative for national reference genomic dataset, contributing to large-scale WGS data generation.
• Health 2030 Genome CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Genome of Switzerland (GoS) initiative for clinical-grade whole-genome sequencing from population-based samples.
• CaBRIOH Project ConsortiummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCapacity Building in Research Infrastructures towards One Health project (HORIZON-INFRA-2025-01) uniting ESFRI Health & Food domain. Swiss Biobanking leads training development for biobanking professionals.
• German Biobank Network (GBN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of Quality Handbook for Biobanks harmonized guidance document for establishing and improving quality management systems.
• BBMRI.pl (Poland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication of Quality Handbook for Biobanks (QHB) with Swiss Biobanking, German Biobank Network, and BBMRI.be.
• BBMRI.be (Belgium)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint publication of Quality Handbook for Biobanks (QHB) with Swiss Biobanking, German Biobank Network, and BBMRI.pl.
• BBMRI.cz (Czech Republic)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech-Swiss Biobank Infrastructure Initiative (CS-BIQ) project for quality harmonization and FAIR data, part of Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme.
• Swiss Data Science CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Swiss-Hungarian federated data sharing project for OneHealth Biobanking Concept, implementing federated learning technology.
• ESBB (European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organizer of Europe Biobank Week congress. ESBB advances biosharing through mobilizing, inspiring, and educating the biobank community across EMEA.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• Finnish Biobank Cooperative (FINBB): National coordinating body for Finnish biobanks, comparable in role to Swiss Biobanking. Operates federated biobank access for researchers and harmonization across hospital-based collections.
• BBMRI-Italy (Italian node): Italian national node of BBMRI-ERIC coordinating Italian biobanks. Comparable in structure and mandate as a national node providing labelling, catalogues, and researcher access infrastructure.
• Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg (IBBL): National biobanking infrastructure in Luxembourg offering sample management, quality services, and ISO 20387 support. Comparable as a small national node within BBMRI-ERIC providing BIMS-like services.
• Biobank Graz: Austrian academic biobank within BBMRI.at, providing ISO 20387-accredited services and BIMS infrastructure. Comparable as a national-scale biobank with labelling, quality, and sample access services.

Broad incumbents

• UK Biobank: Large-scale prospective biobank with 500,000+ participants, operating a national-scale sample and data resource. Comparable as a national biobanking infrastructure, though at a vastly larger scale, with a similar mandate to enable research access.
• BBMRI-ERIC: European research infrastructure consortium for biobanking; Swiss Biobanking is its Swiss national node. BBMRI-ERIC operates the pan-European Directory and Federated Platform, setting shared standards Swiss Biobanking adopts and operationalizes nationally.
• LabVantage: Commercial Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) vendor serving biobanks and biorepositories. Comparable to Swiss Biobanking's SMPL/BIMS offering but as a commercial vendor with broader life sciences reach.

Direct peers

• ESBB (European, Middle Eastern & African Society for Biopreservation and Biobanking): Professional society advancing biosharing and biobanking education across EMEA. Co-organizer of Europe Biobank Week with BBMRI-ERIC; directly comparable to Swiss Biobanking in its training, standards, and community-building mandate.
• German Biobank Network (GBN): German national node of BBMRI-ERIC coordinating German biobanks. Co-develops the Quality Handbook for Biobanks with Swiss Biobanking; operates a comparable labelling and standardization mandate at greater scale.

Emerging players

• OpenSpecimen: Open-source Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) widely adopted in academic biobanks. Comparable to Swiss Biobanking's SMPL module in functionality (sample tracking, workflow management) and target users.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swiss-biobanking-platform

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Swiss Biobanking Platform