From Hengrui To Moderna: Why More Biotech Companies Are Creating Swiss Hubs

An increasing number of biotech companies originating from the US and Asia are building EU headquarters in Switzerland. Scrip spoke with four key opinion leaders on the motivations behind these decisions and the role the domestic ecosystem has to play, from school systems to neutral politics and beyond.    

Swiss Biotech Focus
Switzerland Is Home To World-Class Manufacturers • Source: Shutterstock

“Switzerland has four main sources of new biotech activity,” Swiss Biotech Association CEO Michael Altorfer told Scrip. “The first source is spin-offs from academic centres in the country, the second is spin-offs from big pharma and other large conglomerates, the third is the direct creation of companies through venture builders and the fourth is companies that are founded elsewhere but have expanded or moved to set up bases in Switzerland.”

It is this fourth and final source of activity that has gained traction in recent years. “Of all the international companies that opened up a location in Switzerland last year,...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Scrip for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Business

Astellas Gets CLDN.18.2-Targeted ADC From China’s Evopoint

 
• By 

Astellas will pay $130m up front for near-global rights to a Phase I/II antibody-drug conjugate that will add to its portfolio of CLDN.18.2-targeted drugs, including Vyloy.

All Over For iTeos But Applause For Plan To Return Cash Fast

 
• By 

The company has moved quickly to wind down operations after its anti-TIGIT pact with GSK collapsed.

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By 

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By 

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.

More from Scrip

All Over For iTeos But Applause For Plan To Return Cash Fast

 
• By 

The company has moved quickly to wind down operations after its anti-TIGIT pact with GSK collapsed.

Loss Of Exclusivity Product Launches To Fuel Aurobindo’s FY26 Europe Growth

 
• By 

Aurobindo is banking on launches of loss of exclusivity products and biosimilars to fuel sales in Europe as it awaits a US announcement on tariffs and predicts high single-digit growth overall during FY26 for now

Korea Q1 Roundup: Mixed Earnings, Gearing For Possible US Tariffs

 
• By 

South Korean biopharma companies report a mostly solid first quarter, marked by US growth for original drugs, with several also making preparations for possible US pharma tariffs.