The Förderverein Swissbiolabs has set the goal to promote academic ideas and promote settlements of start-ups in the region of Olten. The idea is to found a platform for diagnostics in order to connect science and corporations nurturing a cluster in the field of diagnostics with region of Olten as its centre of gravity. The goal of the project work is to map the diagnostic landscape in Switzerland in order to identify the key-partners of Swissbiolabs. In a map the partners can be shown according to its competence, size and region. Simultaneously the different conferences and forums should be recorded. With the gained knowledge and the recommendation from the project team, the concept cluster in the field of diagnostics will be established.

In order to create an overview of all suppliers and manufacturers in the fields of diagnostics in Switzerland, we created a database containing all relevant information in the Microsoft Excel. The contents of our database were gathered from internet searches. In addition to collecting secondary data and searching the internet, we spoke to several experts in the field of diagnostics. In order to not get lost in a too broad selection of diagnostic companies, we mainly resorted to already existing databases in the diagnostics field. The mapping was created with the online tools easymapmaker.com and mapcustomizer.com.

With all the benefits of the region Olten, a cluster formation in the field of diagnostics seems to be reasonable. Geographic location, jurisdiction, and population are important factors for developing clusters. Olten possesses a favorable location as a central hub between the major cities and it is easily reachable for commuters; Olten offers low taxes. The listed incentives and advantages constitute added values for possible settlements of firms. Through the mapping of the diagnostics landscape of Switzerland, related and supporting industries were identified. Cooperation and linkages between the firms, suppliers, manufactures, and services are clearly visible within the diagnostics field in Switzerland. Through the creation of a database and mappings of the diagnostics landscape in Switzerland, the authors conclude that there is a high potential for a cluster formation in the region of Olten. The area has attractive forces such as its central location, low taxes levied by government, or low rental costs may attract many firms, suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers in the field of diagnostics.