The Swiss biotech industry continued to set new records in 2023. Revenues increased from 6.8 billion francs in 2022 to 7.3 billion francs. Capital investments totaled over 2 billion francs, which represents a 50 per cent increase year on year. Of this total, around 1.4 billion francs was invested in listed companies, while 600 million francs went to private companies. Investment in research and development declined slightly, but remained at a very high level (2.4 billion francs).
These figures are taken from the Swiss Biotech Report 2024, which was prepared by the Swiss Biotech Association together with consultancy firm EY and eight other partner organizations.
The record revenues are partly attributable to significant collaboration and licensing agreements, where Swiss biotech companies work successfully with large pharma companies, explains the Swiss Biotech Association in a press release. The rise in product sales was also driven by a record number of national and international approvals.
The press release mentions therapies produced by CRISPR Therapeutics, Santhera Pharmaceuticals, Idorsia, Relief Therapeutics and Basilea as examples of breakthroughs. The biggest investments were recorded by Oculis, with 144 million dollars following a SPAC transaction, and MoonLake, with 415 million dollars through its IPO and follow-on transaction. Private biotech companies were also well funded in 2023: Noema Pharma, Alentis Therapeutics, Rejuveron, Nouscom and NewBiologix raised 103 million francs, 94 million francs, 67 million francs, 65 million francs and 45 million francs respectively.
