Early Life
Willy Michel was born on April 29, 1947, in Burgdorf, Switzerland. He spent his childhood in Burgdorf as the son of a railway foreman. He began his career with an apprenticeship as a lab technician and later gained experience in various industrial and pharmaceutical companies, focusing on development, sales, and marketing. He later was the head of Novo Nordisk Switzerland for six years.
Rise to Success
In 1984, Michel, along with his brother, founded Disetronic Holding AG, which focused on medical infusion systems, and later developed advanced insulin pumps. In 1996, the company went public. In 2003, Michel sold part of Disetronic to Roche. He then reacquired the injection systems part of the business, which he transformed into Ypsomed. Ypsomed specializes in developing, producing, and selling medical devices and systems, including insulin pumps and pen needles. Ypsomed has become a global leader in the healthcare industry, operating in over 80 countries.
Key Business Strategies
Michel's success stems from his innovative spirit and dedication to improving healthcare outcomes. He identified a market opportunity in the emerging medical technology field and focused on precision engineering, tapping into Swiss expertise in micro-mechanical engineering and microtechnology. He has successfully grown Ypsomed into a leading company, maintaining a significant stake in the company.
Philanthropy
Michel is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has made significant donations to various charitable organizations and educational institutions, including the Diabetes Center Bern, to which he contributed 50 million francs. He also supports the Museum Franz Gertsch.
