Program Overview

Introduction to the CAS Biomedical Entrepreneurship Program

The CAS Biomedical Entrepreneurship program is offered by the School for Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship (sitem-insel School) at the University of Bern. This program is designed to train professionals in scientific and medical knowledge, as well as entrepreneurship skills, to enable them to successfully coordinate the development and commercialization of biomedical products.

Program Overview

• Degree: Certificate of Advanced Studies in Biomedical Entrepreneurship (CAS BE)
• Start: 2025
• Length: 2 semesters
• Scope: 15 ECTS
• Cycle: Annual
• Flexible entry: Yes
• Single module visitable: Yes
• Location: sitem-insel, Freiburgstrasse 3, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
• Language: English
• Admission requirements: Minimum Bachelor's degree in life science, medicine, engineering science, or equivalent, and at least 2 years of experience in research and/or development
• Registration deadline: December 15, 2024
• Cost: CHF 12,600

About the Program

The program focuses on translational medicine, a process-oriented discipline that aims to translate new findings and products from basic research into clinical applications. It seeks to professionalize the interaction between basic science researchers, clinicians, regulatory bodies, and investors. The program is designed to provide professionals with the skills to navigate the landscape of translational medicine and to successfully develop and commercialize biomedical products.

What to Expect from the Program

• Take an innovative idea and boost the success of a startup
• Become proficient in navigating the landscape and interdisciplinary interaction along the translational pathway
• Increase career prospects
• Obtain an internationally recognized certificate from a prestigious Swiss university
• Gain expert insights from academia and industry
• Connect and exchange with peers, lecturers, and experts from industry
• Acquire extensive theoretical knowledge and practical skills in topics relevant to the project
• Profit from small class sizes, individual coaching, and flexible study formats

Who is the Program For?

The program addresses researchers from various fields of medicine, pharmacy, natural sciences, or engineering who are eager to translate their research-based innovation projects into successful startups. It is also designed for professionals from industry, hospitals, and academia who are active in the medical sector and seeking to gain comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in biomedical entrepreneurship.

Program Structure

The CAS BE is a one-year part-time program that applies theoretical knowledge directly to an individual startup or venture project. The program scope corresponds to 15 ECTS, with one ECTS estimated to be a study work performance of about 25-30 hours, including in-person events, preparatory tasks, and all other course activities. The program is conceptualized as an extra-occupational program that can be reconciled with professional work.

Module Content

The program has a modular structure, allowing individual learning approaches and fast tracks. It is possible to book single modules if free places are available.

Organising Institution and Faculty

The program is organized by the Swiss Institute for Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine (sitem-insel) and the Medical Faculty of the University of Bern. The institute is located on the Insel Campus Bern and benefits from its proximity to Switzerland's largest university hospital and the University of Bern.

Admission, Fees, and Installments

• Admission requirements: Minimum Bachelor's degree in relevant fields and at least 2 years of experience in research and/or development
• Admission process: Submission of a complete application, including all required attachments
• Tuition fees: CHF 12,600 for the CAS program
• Installments: The full study fee can be paid in full at once or in installments per semester

Associate Courses

The University of Bern also offers other programs, including:

• CAS in Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging
• CAS in Translational Medicine
• DAS in Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship
• MAS in Translational Medicine and Biomedical Entrepreneurship

These programs provide a range of options for professionals seeking to advance their knowledge and skills in translational medicine and biomedical entrepreneurship.