No. 175, July
New incentives for antibiotics research and development
- Health care
- KOF Bulletin
An estimated 33,000 people die in the European Union every year as a result of being infected with antibiotic-resistant germs. The number of deaths associated with antimicrobial resistance worldwide is estimated to be more than 5 million per year. New antibiotics urgently need to be developed, but this is often not profitable for companies. This article discusses a dynamic funding model that would make it more attractive for firms to develop new antibiotics.
Significant increase in company bankruptcies
- Swiss Economy
- KOF Bulletin
A significant increase in company bankruptcies has been evident in Switzerland since autumn 2022, while business start-ups have been declining sharply for several months. The following article examines this trend in detail and gives possible reasons for this increase.
Climate risks and investment: how Swiss companies are dealing with climate change
- Surveys
- KOF Bulletin
Although many Swiss firms see their business activities as being exposed to physical climate risks, they nevertheless view ecological change predominantly as an opportunity rather than a risk. Investment aimed at combatting climate change is accelerating and, in comparison with the EU, Switzerland is one of its pioneers. Having added a new block of questions to its investment survey, KOF can shed light on the economic impact of climate change from the perspective of Swiss companies.
Global economic outlook remains weak
- World Economy
- KOF Bulletin
Although the much-feared energy crisis has failed to materialise, persistently high inflation, rising interest rates and geopolitical conflicts are weighing on the global economy.
KOF Business Situation Indicator edges up
- KOF Business Situation Indicator
- KOF Bulletin
The KOF Business Situation Indicator for the Swiss private sector rose slightly in June, averting a third consecutive decline (see chart G 16). However, this modest improvement does not yet indicate that the Swiss economy has received a significant boost. Business expectations about developments in the near future emphasised this view; they hardly changed compared with the previous month and were average overall.