Education and research in Graubünden
Research creates value
GlucoSense
Intelligence inside the bioreactor
When manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, a single parameter often determines quality and yield: supplying cell cultures with the right amount of glucose. Until now, monitoring has frequently relied on manual sampling and laboratory analysis. However, delays in obtaining the results limited the scope for continuous process management.
Hamilton and CSEM have solved this problem together. The result is GlucoSense, a novel optical sensor that monitors glucose levels directly inside the bioreactor, enabling continuous, real-time measurement for the first time. The technology gives users immediate insight into the condition of their cell cultures and lays the foundation for automated, data-driven production processes.
GlucoSense builds on many years of research in Graubünden. CSEM supported Hamilton in implementing sophisticated sensing and measurement technologies, helping to turn research findings into a market-ready product. The resulting solution improves process reliability, makes production more efficient and enhances the manufacture of high-quality biological medicines.
Today, the innovation is seen as an important step towards intelligent biomanufacturing with continuous monitoring. It demonstrates how close collaboration between research and industry in Graubünden produces technologies that address global challenges and deliver direct benefits for businesses, patients and Switzerland’s pharmaceutical sector.
Research meets business
Bringing products to market together
Collaboration between CSEM and companies in Graubünden shows how regional partnerships lead to market-ready innovations. These range from internationally successful industrial products to technological support for young start-ups.
One example is the partnership with Integra Biosciences in Zizers. Together, they developed PIPETBOY GENIUS, an intelligent pipette controller for laboratory applications. CSEM contributed expertise in sensor technology, pneumatics, automatic pipette recognition and firmware. The result is a product unlike any other worldwide, improving precision and simplifying laboratory processes.
CSEM is working with Viega Schweiz on new solutions for monitoring drinking water quality. Innovative sensor technologies enable changes in water systems to be detected early, contributing to a safe and efficient water supply.
CSEM also has a longstanding partnership with CEDES in Landquart. Over the years, they have collaborated on projects in optical sensing and industrial measurement technology. This work has helped develop innovative sensor systems for international markets and further strengthen the company’s technological leadership.
Start-ups in Graubünden also benefit from working with CSEM. For example, CSEM supported Findmee in further developing its IoT and AI technologies. Together, they optimised hardware, data architecture and data-driven analytical methods. The insights gained provide an important foundation for new digital services and the company’s continued development.
These examples show how CSEM works with businesses to turn research findings into commercial value, creating new products, additional economic value and highly skilled jobs in Graubünden.
Innovation for Graubünden
Technology for the future
CSEM is a Swiss non-profit technology innovation centre that helps companies turn new developments into market-ready products and services more quickly. Bridging science and business, CSEM develops practical solutions for industrial companies, SMEs and start-ups. Its Landquart site strengthens Graubünden and eastern Switzerland as centres of innovation.
CSEM’s expertise spans sensor technology, photonics, microelectronics and robotics, as well as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital technologies, sustainable energy systems and life science applications. Companies benefit from state-of-the-art research infrastructure, interdisciplinary teams of experts and extensive experience in developing new technologies.
Together with industry partners, CSEM develops new products, optimises processes and supports technology transfer from the initial idea through to industrial implementation. Collaboration takes the form of research and development projects, feasibility studies, innovation workshops, and national and international funding programmes. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting SMEs and start-ups by giving them access to specialist expertise and a broad innovation network.
Through its work, CSEM makes an important contribution to the competitiveness of the Swiss economy. In Graubünden, collaboration with businesses creates new technologies, additional economic value and highly skilled jobs. CSEM also builds connections between business, research and the public sector, strengthening the entire region’s capacity for innovation.
Turning innovation into reality
CSEM
New ideas fulfil their potential when research and industry come together. CSEM works with companies to develop technologies, assess their feasibility and bring them into practical use, step by step. This turns expertise into tangible solutions, new products and innovations that make a difference.