In a global landscape shaped by technological and geopolitical disruptions, Switzerland—an undisputed leader in pharma-biotech exports, accounting for more than 50% of total export flows in 2024—needs agile leaders. These leaders must drive innovation, manage international alliances, and steer complex supply chains. The Gevena EMBA provides the ideal skills to thrive in such a demanding ecosystem.
The pharma and biotech sectors are a powerful engine of the Swiss economy. In 2024, they generated CHF 105 billion for pharma alone and CHF 7.2 billion for biotech, according to the Swiss Biotech Report 2025. This heavyweight—representing 5.4% of Swiss GDP and more than 46,000 direct jobs (pharma + biotech)—relies on competitiveness and adaptability in the face of tariff tensions, raw material shortages, fierce competition, currency volatility, the rise of AI in R&D, and the ethical challenges of “patient” data.
Companies in the sector must therefore anticipate global partnerships, optimize worldwide supply chains, and integrate must-have innovations such as blockchain for traceability or generative AI in drug discovery.
Against this backdrop, a key question emerges: how can we lead this flagship industry while orchestrating its transformations? The answer goes beyond technical tools. Nothing will be possible without a clear vision and responsible leadership. The Geneva EMBA, a two-year program designed for professionals across all industries, offers modules that address these imperatives.
First year: Preparing the organization
“Strategic Management” and “Positioning Companies and Brands” prepare participants to design winning export strategies. “Organization Design” and “Supply Chain Management” strengthen logistical resilience. “Corporate Finance,” “Financial Accounting,” and “Business Economics” develop the ability to manage R&D budgets. Finally, “Human Resource Management,” “Team Engagement,” “Managing with Emotional Intelligence,” and “Strategic Thinking, Decision Making, and Communication” sharpen collective intelligence and self-leadership.
Second year: Leading transformation
“Global Strategy,” “Managing Stakeholders Across Cultures,” and “International Negotiation & Conflict Management” equip participants for international alliance projects. “Disruptive Technologies and Innovation,” “Business Analytics,” and “Digitalization and Smart Data” help tackle the fourth industrial revolution. “Responsible Leadership,” “Organizational Responsibility and Ethics,” “Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” and “Creating Shared Value in the Fourth Industrial Revolution” embed ethics and sustainability. Finally, “Managerial Decision-Making” trains leaders to respond swiftly in unstable environments.
The Geneva EMBA goes beyond traditional management practice to shape visionary leaders. Our program propels careers toward strategic positions: for pharma-biotech professionals, it is the long-awaited accelerator—combining self-leadership with mastery of disruption, in service of a sector that exports Swiss excellence.
