“Understanding how something works – and how it can be manufactured.” What sounds like two separate worlds to many people has been successfully brought together by Philipp Koch in his career. After completing his doctorate in biotechnology, he transitioned from academic research into industry – joining Sartorius, where he now holds global responsibility as a technology expert.
In this interview, he talks about how he experienced this transition, what experiences he has gained at Sartorius, and what trends are currently shaping the biotech industry.
Career & entry into industry
Philipp, could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us which stages of your educational path were particularly influential for your current job?
I originally studied bioprocess engineering. This engineering knowledge provided a solid foundation for understanding processes—in other words, how to manufacture valuable products or molecules for the biopharmaceutical industry. At the same time, I deepened my knowledge of the scientific side out of personal interest: how exactly these molecules work and how they can be improved. It was a detour, but a very valuable one. Today, I benefit from being able to combine an engineering perspective with scientific background knowledge. After completing my doctorate, I wanted to get closer to the product and closer to the application – so the move into the biotech industry was only logical for me.
Immediately after completing your doctoral thesis, you joined Sartorius in 2021 – how did you experience this transition from academia to industry?
The change was less of a culture shock than many might think. Of course, it also depends heavily on your own personality. I see myself as communicative, open, and adaptable—perhaps not fitting the traditional image of a scientist, which has, in truth, changed considerably today. Nevertheless, it was an adjustment: for example, in terms of expectations of colleagues or the question of how much you sacrifice yourself for a project. In research, you often give everything you have, but in industry, you have to learn to set priorities and find a good middle ground. For me, it was an exciting learning process – and the most important insight was that you can achieve much more in a corporate environment than I had originally thought.
What factors were decisive in taking this step? And what role did Stettler Consulting play in this? Were there moments when external consulting was particularly valuable?
The job ad itself was, let’s say, rather unremarkable. The spark only ignited during my conversation with Bernd Maisenhölder from Stettler Consulting. He showed me how exciting the role actually is – and with the personality profile analysis, he brought something into play that I was completely unfamiliar with from academia. That was a real eye-opener for me. At the same time, Stettler gave me a lot of confidence: sometimes as a coach, sometimes as a sparring partner, sometimes as an advocate—that was worth its weight in gold in the highly competitive Swiss job market.
And the Sartorius team also delivered: the hiring manager described the position and the company itself so clearly and authentically that I already had the feeling back then that it was a good fit. And indeed, everything turned out to be as exciting as promised..
Role, everyday life & trends
What are your responsibilities at Sartorius today, and how has your role evolved since you joined the company?
I started as an application specialist with a focus on Switzerland, providing technical advice throughout the entire biopharmaceutical production process. I then gradually developed further. In my current role, I work with customers to define the strategy for the use of single-use technologies at all sites and accompany every stage of production. This is less about quick problem solving and more about long-term control and scaling. I see my role as an enabler—I coordinate multidisciplinary teams worldwide, while implementation is the responsibility of the local units.
Officially, the position is in sales, but it has little to do with classic sales clichés. The biotech industry is about genuine partnership at the highest professional and human level. This requires technical understanding, empathy, and resilience. At the same time, the role offers a lot of creative freedom—you can shape it very individually. This is a great opportunity, but also a challenge because there is no fixed “script.”
What does working globally mean to you, and how do you deal with cultural differences?
For me, working globally means above all staying flexible and being open-minded. I travel a lot, because personal contact is still crucial, as you eventually reach one’s limits when working purely virtually. It gets exciting when cultural differences come into play: what works perfectly in Europe is sometimes received very differently in Asia. Being able to perceive these nuances and react spontaneously makes the work challenging – but also incredibly enriching.
What trends do you see in the biotech industry?
- New modalities & personalized medicine: The trend is clearly moving toward individualized therapies. While much of this is already working in the laboratory, the real challenge lies in scaling: How can an approach be turned into a product suitable for mass production?
- Global supply chains & protectionism
The pharmaceutical industry is closely networked globally – each production site specializes in specific steps. But when trade barriers, tariffs, or political restrictions get in the way, you suddenly have to rethink everything. Instead of the “best site,” perhaps the “available site” becomes the most important factor. This forces the industry to evaluate investments differently – especially in the case of very high-priced therapies. - Artificial intelligence & automation: AI will become firmly established – especially in research. We are rightly more cautious when it comes to manufacturing, where automation and digitalization play the main role. Sure, it can be frustrating when research is much faster than production. But ultimately, it’s about human health, and regulation is a necessary corrective measure.
Ultimately, across all movements, technology is only as strong as the people who implement it. And that is precisely why highly qualified talent will continue to be essential in the future, especially here in Switzerland.
Values, future & personal perspective
What prerequisites or skills should you have for such a job?
The most important quality is self-motivation. You have to be intrinsically driven because no one tells you exactly how to do the job. Structure, drive, and the ability to know your own limits are also crucial. I learned this during my doctorate: there is always more work than you can do—and you have to learn to use your resources wisely.
What is your vision for your personal future—where would you like to develop further?
The next logical step would certainly be a management role at Sartorius. At the same time, I am attracted by the prospect of working on the customer side: experiencing the pharmaceutical industry from their perspective. I always find new perspectives exciting.
If you could give your 20-year-old self some career advice, what would it be?
Do what interests you and what you enjoy. Even if it may not always seem rational, doors open when you are passionate about what you do. You can only be good at your job if you enjoy it. Fortunately, I chose this path – and I would do it again in exactly the same way.
Conclusion
An exciting career path in a dynamic environment—Philipp Koch shows how expertise, openness, and self-motivation make all the difference. We at Stettler Consulting were privileged to accompany him on this journey—not only as a door opener, but as a reliable sparring partner who encourages talented individuals to recognize opportunities and follow their own path.
