The national industry association 'Swiss Biotech Association' (SBA) was founded in March 1998. Today more than 180 companies and institutions represent the national  industry association. SBA is the industry association of enterprises and institutions active in all areas of biotechnology. Association membership is open to companies of various size concerned with different aspects of modern biotechnology such as R&D, production, marketing and sales, finances, services and consulting. Activities of member companies span different sectors of biotechnology including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, agriculuture, food, envirionmental biotechnology, and specialty chemicals. Foreign companies can also become distance-members (without voting rights), due to the attractivness of Switzerland in this global industry.