Swiss Biotech Sector Shows Strength and Growth in 2024

Despite a challenging global market environment, the Swiss biotech sector once again demonstrated strength and resilience in 2024, as detailed in the newly released 2025 Swiss Biotech Report presented on 5 May 2025 during the Swiss Biotech Days. Co-authored by the Swiss Biotech Association, EY, and eight partner organizations, the report offers a deep dive into financial performance, R&D investments, employment trends, and the increasing importance of international partnerships.

 
 

Stable Revenues and Growing R&D Investment

Swiss biotech companies generated total revenues of CHF 7.2 billion, a slight dip from CHF 7.3 billion in 2023—underscoring the sector’s stability amid headwinds. Notably, R&D investments rose to CHF 2.6 billion, up from CHF 2.4 billion the previous year, reflecting a sustained commitment to innovation.
 

Record-Breaking Fundraising

highlight of 2024 was the record CHF 833 million raised by privately funded companies, contributing to a 22% rise in total capital investment to CHF 2.5 billion. Major financing rounds included:

• Alentis Therapeutics: CHF 163 million

• SixPeaks Bio: CHF 102 million

These deals set new benchmarks for private biotech funding in Switzerland.

 

Public Market Success Stories

Public biotech companies also delivered significant achievements despite difficult market conditions:

• CRISPR Therapeutics: Secured a USD 280 million follow-on financing round to advance clinical trials and broaden its therapeutic pipeline.

• Basilea and Santhera: Achieved major milestones with product launches and approvals. Highlights included Idorsia’s Aprocitentan for systemic hypertension and Basilea’s Zevtera antibiotic, both approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EMA.

 

Notable M&A and Licensing Deals

The year was marked by significant mergers, acquisitions, and licensing activity:

• Johnson & Johnson: Acquired Yellow Jersey (Numab’s subsidiary) for USD 1.25 billion.

• Lonza: Acquired Roche’s Vacaville biologics site for USD 1.2 billion.

These deals underscore Switzerland’s strategic role in the global biotech ecosystem.

 

Top Western Switzerland Stories in Biotech

The western region of Switzerland delivered several standout biotech stories in 2024:

• HAYA Therapeutics: Entered a collaboration with Lilly to discover novel Regulatory Genome Targets for obesity and related metabolic conditions using its proprietary RNA platform. The deal includes up to USD 1 billion in milestone payments.

• AC Immune and Takeda: Signed an exclusive option and licence agreement for active immunotherapy targeting Amyloid Beta for Alzheimer’s disease. AC Immune received USD 100 million upfront, with potential additional payments of up to USD 2.1 billion.

• NewBiologix: Signed a licensing agreement with Florabio to genetically engineer its proprietary HEK293 cell line for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors.

• Addex and Perceptive: Launched Neurosterix, a new company focused on developing allosteric modulators, with USD 63 million in initial funding.

 

Employment and Talent Growth

Employment in the biotech sector grew by approximately 8%, fueled by the expansion of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and biotech R&D firms. This growth highlights the sector’s ability to attract top talent, essential for sustaining long-term innovation.

 

Power of International Alliances

The report also emphasizes the strength of international collaboration:

• Eureka Innovation Initiative: Switzerland continues to lead innovative cross-border R&D.

• Swissmedic’s Role in the Access Consortium: Streamlining regulatory approvals and reinforcing Switzerland’s standing in the global biotech community.

Michael Altorfer, CEO of the Swiss Biotech Association, highlighted: “Switzerland has a long tradition of developing innovative products in collaboration with international partners, providing effective solutions to global challenges. This collaborative spirit is deeply embedded in the Swiss biotech ecosystem, with four out of five biotech patents involving international co-inventors.”
Frederik Schmachtenberg, EY Partner and Global Life Sciences Lead, added:“Swiss biotech companies raised over CHF 2.5 billion in 2024, a 22% increase over 2023, with private companies setting new records in both fundraising and R&D investment. This success underscores the resilience and innovation strength of Switzerland’s biotech sector.”
 
 

➡️ Source: Swiss Biotech Association