The latest edition of the Swiss Biotech Report highlights projects and companies that were part of the Swiss response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the life science industry applied its R&D and manufacturing capabilities to deliver effective solutions in record time.

While the spotlight was on Covid-related projects (such as cloning of the virus, diagnostic development or vaccine production) Switzerland and Swiss biotech companies did not lose sight of other unmet medical needs and continued to invest heavily to expand their R&D and manufacturing infrastructure. Investors contributed new funds at record levels to advance the promising pipeline of the Swiss biotech hub. In total, R&D investments increased by 10% to CHF 2.2B.

 

Key findings in the 2021 Swiss Biotech Report

 

Swiss biotechs raised a total of CHF 3.44B – their best year ever. CHF 2.7B were invested in public companies including ADC Therapeutics from Lausanne with a CHF 470M (IPO & follow on), CRISPR Therapeutics (CHF 940M), Idorsia (CHF 866M), Molecular Partners (CHF 80M), and Basilea (CHF 125M). The biggest portion of the private capital was raised by VectivBio Holding AG (CHF 135M), SOPHiA Genetics (CHF 100M), and the newly founded company Noema Pharma (CHF 54M).

 

The Swiss biotech industry generated revenues of CHF 4.5B, compared to CHF 4.8B in 2019. This drop in revenues was mainly due to favorable one-time events in 2019 which didn’t recur in 2020. Nevertheless, biotechs selling marketed products/services continued to increase their revenues.

 

The latest edition of the Swiss Biotech Report launched by the Swiss Biotech Association in conjunction with EY and eight other partner organizations inclucing Swiss Federal Institute for Intellecutal Property provides analysis of funding, M&A activity and collaborations.

 

Swiss Biotech Report 2021