As the founder, CEO and CFO of Hutman Diagnostics, Paul Hofer has steered the Switzerland-based biotech company to impressive heights within a relatively short period of time. Since its establishment in January 2011, Hutman Diagnostics has expanded with a steadfast focus on in vitro diagnostics and DNA-based applications for the treatment of infectious diseases. Under Hofer’s leadership, the group has developed highly innovative and trade-protected methods to engineer a probe’s development process, and this is supported by a global network of microbiology laboratories. The main objective behind Hofer’s vision is to rapidly shorten the time taken to diagnose diseases through thorough and highly sensitive investigative methods. The impact of this approach is that less time will be needed to find cures, which not only reduces health costs – it saves lives.
It is Hofer’s in-depth experience and knowledge of the financial and corporate world that enables him to steer Hutman Diagnostics towards achieving its goals. After receiving a Master of Economics degree from the University of Basel in his home country of Switzerland, Hofer went on to work for the Credit Suisse Group for many years. During his time at the financial services company, he rose through the ranks and worked on numerous high-profile assignments. Hofer then went on to manage several small to medium-sized companies as chairman or board member, helping start-ups and others to consolidate their business strategies considerably. Using this knowledge, Hofer co-founded Necura Pharmaceuticals AG in 2003, which later became Lumavita AG.
Given his expertise at a senior corporate level, in 2001 Hofer established an assessment academy to train future candidates for the managing director position at Deutsche Bank. Now, at the same time as managing the academy, Hofer also coaches directors within the bank itself, as well as providing similar invaluable services to other financial institutions.