Go Circular in Life Science Annual Event 2026

About

The Go Circular in Life Science Annual Event 2026 is organised as part of the strategic collaboration between Go Circular in Life Science (GCiLS), the School of Life Sciences FHNW and BaselCircular, within their joint work to further develop the Center of Excellence for Circular Economy in Life Sciences. 

The event brings together life sciences companies across the value chain and other relevant stakeholders working on the implementation of circular economy in the life sciences sector. It is a must-attend event for organisations that are actively working on, or exploring, circular solutions in the Swiss life sciences context. 

The event combines practical inputs, company-led business cases, interactive breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. Participants exchange experiences and collaborate on concrete topics and challenges, with the shared aim of advancing circular economy in life sciences towards practical implementation. 

Programme 13:00-19:00 

Part 1 – Insights & updates: setting the scene for circularity in life sciences

• Welcome from GCiLS, FHNW School of Life Sciences and BaselCircular

• Updates on activities and projects from GCiLS and the FHNW School of Life Sciences

Olena Bolger, Lead at GCiLS

Marco Rupprich, Head of Institute for Ecopreneurship, FHNW School of Life Sciences

• Key findings from the ecosystem analysis “Towards a Circular Life Sciences Sector in Basel”

Emmanuel Oertle, Chair of Executive Board at GCiLS / Environmental and Sustainability Lead at Novartis Campus

• Regulatory update: advancing circularity in healthcare

Nila-Pia Rähle, Founder & CEO of Samanea Innovation

Part 2 – Business cases: from strategy to implementation

• Solving solvents for circularity

Enea von Fellenberg, Project member of Project Circular Solvents at F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

• Beyond the supplier data bottleneck: a new model for sustainability at the point of design

Kami Krista, CEO at Elio

• ten23 health's holistic approach to plastic sustainability: from procurement to disposal.

  Alissa Monk, Sustainability Lead, ten23 health

• Circularity pilot projects at Haag-Streit. 

  Kirstin Brünjes, Project Manager Sustainability, Haag-Streit Group

Part 3 – Interactive breakout sessions: shaping collaborative projects 

Participants will engage in hands-on discussions around key working areas of GCiLS:

• Industrial symbiosis: valorisation of waste solvents

  Emmanuel Oertle, Environmental and Sustainability Lead at Novartis Campus

  Marco Rupprich, Head of Institute for Ecopreneurship, FHNW School of Life Sciences

• Sustainable laboratory consumables and circular procurement

  Kami Krista, Co-founder CEO, Elio

  Olena Bolger, Lead and Co-Chair of Executive Board, GCiLS

• Circular solutions for plastic waste in life sciences

  Alissa Monk, Sustainability Lead, ten23 health

  Melanie Haupt, Managing Director, realcycle GmbH

• Reuse and repair practices in healthcare and medtech

  Nila-Pia Rähle, Founder & CEO, Samanea Innovation

  Barbara Mettler, Sustainability Expert, Swiss Medtech

Networking

• Coffee breaks and closing Apéro to foster exchange and collaboration

Target audience 

• Life sciences companies (along the value chain)

• Industry and topical experts

• Representatives from public administration and governance

• Research and education institutions with a focus on applied circular economy

Registration & contact 

The annual event will be hosted by the FHNW School of Life Sciences at Campus Muttenz. Please register via the event page on the FHNW School of Life Sciences website.

Places are limited, so we encourage early registration.

Organisers & partners

Organised by Go Circular in Life Science (GCiLS) and the School of Life Sciences FHNW, supported by BaselCircular.