Jan Lichtenberg, CEO of InSphero, About Measures Taken During The Coronavirus Crisis

20.03.2020 10:25, Guillaume Tinsel

As the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic spreads, in Switzerland and elsewhere, remote work is now getting a norm. More than ever, there is a growing need to inform, connect and debate about best decisions to be taken. To continue supporting founders and entrepreneurs in this challenging period, Venturelab launches a "Corona Survival Startup Interview Series" and online webinars to enable exchanges and inspire new alternatives.

The second Interview portraits Jan Lichtenberg, founder of Insphero, supporting pharmaceutical and biotechnology researchers in successful decision-making by accurately rebuilding the human physiology in vitro. Back in 2008, Insphero won Venture Kick stage 3 and participated in the Venture Leaders roadshow in 2010. The startup also made it several times to the TOP 100 Swiss Startup Award, from 2011 till 2014. 



What is the impact of the Corona Crisis on your business?
InSphero is primarily working with large pharma and biotech companies globally. Over the past days, a number of companies have ceased R&D operations temporarily to stop the spread of the virus. In these cases, we can not deliver our 3D micro organs to these sites, but our customers are under pressure to continue their important pharmaceutical development work. We are busily arranging ourselves to take over projects from our customers, where they can’t, to make sure that the wheel of innovation does not stop turning – even these difficult times.

What measures have you taken to make your startup survive?
Of course, we are concerned about the safety of our staff and started to introduce measures more than two weeks ago. This ranges from spread work schedules to home office, increased hygiene, to the use of company cars to commute. We are operative and want to stay this way because our work is important for the pharmaceutical industry, which we need so much these days. We plan with a lot of agility and look for unconventional solutions to remove bottlenecks. Also, business development is not easy these days and we have started a substantial digital marketing campaign to redirect resources planned for conferences and exhibitions into digital contributions.

What is your advice for your other startup entrepreneurs?
Make an analysis of how long this pandemic will hurt your business. Next, double the time and impact. Then, put your mitigation measures in place. I am an optimist, I guess all founders are, but we have to be realistic: This pandemic will have a serious impact on us, our families and our economy – not only during rising infections but also after calming down.


Do you want to know how to best prepare for the upcoming year, and manage the impact of coronavirus? Register now to our webinars to take the opportunity to learn from experts and other entrepreneurs.