Focus Sectors | Verticals
BioTech
BioTech is the flagship vertical of the Swiss deep tech ecosystem, focused on the discovery and development of novel drugs and therapies to address the world’s most pressing diseases. As a “global hotspot for biotech innovation”, Switzerland has cultivated a complete, mature ecosystem that has generated more venture capital, more startups, and more enterprise value than any other sector.
The nation’s status as a “BioTech powerhouse” is built on two pillars: the “exceptional concentration of pharma expertise around Basel”, home to industry giants like Roche and Novartis, and the world-class academic excellence flowing from its universities. This combination has created a “proven playbook that moves discoveries from lab to high-valued exit”, attracting over 85% of its funding from international investors who recognize the sector’s global appeal and proven track record.
With over 275 active startups and $4.8B in funding since 2019, the Swiss BioTech pipeline is robust and deep. This page provides a comprehensive overview of the investment landscape, the “companies to watch” in this powerhouse sector, and the key hubs that cement Switzerland’s role as a launchpad for world-class biomedical innovation
Notable Companies
Key Stats*
275+
VC-Backed startups
$4.8B
VC funding since 2019
$64B
Combined Enterprise Value
Tob Hubs in Basel (pharma hub), Zurich, Lausanne and Geneva.
* All data is taken from the Swiss Deep Tech Report 2025.
Companies to watch
Precision drugs targeting eukaryotic pathogens.
Antibodies targeting inflammation, autoimmunity, and fibrosis.
Medicines for immunologic & inflammatory diseases.
Treatments for obstructive sleep apnea.
Allosteric modulator therapeutics for underserved neurological disorders.
Therapeutic solutions for male and female infertility.
Gene therapy for retinal diseases causing blindness.
Biotechnological solutions targeting muscle for metabolic health.
Revitalizing cells to address age-related and chronic diseases.
«Switzerland has long been a global hotspot for biotech innovation. The exceptional concentration of pharma expertise around Basel, combined with academic excellence and access to capital, continues to make it one of the world’s most fertile grounds for breakthrough biomedical innovation.»
Severin Schwan
Chairman
Roche
«Switzerland is a powerhouse in European innovation, attracting the highest volume of deep-tech capital per capita. BioTech and Life Science continue to stand out as the country’s flagship verticals, powered by a proven playbook that moves discoveries from lab to high-valued exit. International investors supply over 85 percent of all Swiss investments, rising to 96% in large rounds, underscoring Switzerland’s global appeal. Al and ML are gaining ground fast, yet biotech excellence remains the benchmark, cementing the nation’s role as a launchpad for world-class innovation.»
Diego Braguglia
Managing Partner
Vi Partners
Who’s Who in BioTech
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AGIRE FOUNDATION
Lugano
We are the Innovation Agency of southern Switzerland and we provide support to start-ups and innovative SMEs on their path to growth.
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Bio-Technopark Schlieren-Zürich
Zurich
The Bio-Technopark is a life science park housing 60 companies and organizations, as well as 80 academic research groups. The park has offices and laboratories.
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Eawag: Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
Duebendorf
Eawag is one of the world’s leading aquatic research institutes.
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ETH Entrepreneurship
Zurich
ETH Entrepreneurship supports, encourages & challenges entrepreneurs & start-ups. It is the leading organization for the ETH Pioneer Fellowship & UPortunity ETH accelerator.
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FONGIT
Geneva
We support entrepreneurs with the expertise, resources and financing they need in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable companies.
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Gebert Rüf Stiftung
Zurich
Foundation’s CHF 15M annual budget helps tech breakthroughs & builds entrepreneurial attitude/innovation interest via education & transfer projects.
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Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa)
Lausanne
Greater Geneva Bern area (GGBa) is the official investment promotion agency for Western Switzerland.
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MassChallenge Switzerland
Renens
World’s largest equity-free accelerator, supporting international startups & scaleups across all sectors through mentoring, curriculum & strong global corporate connections.
Most Active Swiss VCs in BioTech*
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Zürcher Kantonalbank
Focus on early stage
ICT
Invested in Unicorn
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Ace Ventures
Focus on early stage
Climate and Energy
Invested in Unicorn
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BioMedPartners
Focus on early stage
Biotech
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
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Business Angels Switzerland
Focus on early stage
ICT
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Forty:one
Focus on early growth
ICT
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Occident
Focus on early growth
Medtech
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
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Pureos bioventures
All stages
Biotech
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
Invested in Unicorn
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Redalpine Ventures
All stages
Biotech
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
Invested in Unicorn
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SICTIC
Focus on early stage
ICT
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Swisscanto
Focus on later stage
ICT
Participated in funding round of >100 mio.
Invested in Unicorn
*List established by startupticker.ch based on number of investments in a given vertical
Success Stories
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Read more: European Spinouts Report 2025: Switzerland Confirmed as Europe’s Deep Tech PowerhouseThe most critical metric in innovation is not volume but efficiency. While larger economies naturally produce higher absolute numbers of companies, the true measure of…
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Read more: Why Deep Tech Pioneers and Private Equity are a MatchThis autumn saw notable activity from private equity investors in Switzerland, including a USD 500 million exit in addition to investments. Their preference for innovative…
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Read more: Samuel Müller: FounderScandit has never advertised itself by referring to its Swiss origins. “We had a global vision from the beginning,” explains Samuel Müller, CEO and co-founder…
Biotech
News
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Wellcome awards CHF 14 million for BioVersys’ BV100 Phase 2b study
BioVersys’ lead asset BV100, an innovative anti-infective developed for hospital infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, including carbapenem resistant strains (CRAB), has been selected to participate…
startupticker.ch
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AstraZeneca acquires SixPeaks for up to USD 300 million
Following an initial investment of USD 15 million in 2024, AstraZeneca has acquired Basel-based SixPeaks Bio AG. SixPeaks is investigating potential therapies for weight-management with…
startupticker.ch
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CDR-Life to receive up to CHF 456 million in license agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim
Building on their longstanding partnership in retinal health, Boehringer Ingelheim and CDR-Life, Inc. have entered a new global licensing agreement to develop CDR-Life’s antibody-based molecule…
startupticker.ch
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NeuroX, successor to MindMaze, joins Relief Therapeutics to form SIX-listed company
SIX-listed biotech company Relief Therapeutics and NeuroX Group SA, have entered into a definitive agreement to combine their businesses. The combined company will be renamed…
startupticker.ch
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Reconnect Labs emerges from stealth mode fully funded
Reconnect Labs, a spin-off of the University of Zürich, is transforming psychiatric drug development through AI-driven, regenerative therapies for patients facing PTSD, addiction, and other…
startupticker.ch
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Mabylon raises CHF 30 million to fight allergies with human-derived antibodies
Mabylon AG raised a total of CHF 30 million, the major investment coming from former management and board members of Roche. The funding will allow…
startupticker.ch
FAQ on Swiss Enterprise Software
1. Why is Switzerland a global powerhouse for BioTech investment?
Switzerland is a “global hotspot for biotech innovation” and a “powerhouse in European innovation”. It combines a high concentration of pharma expertise in Basel, academic excellence, and a “proven playbook” for moving discoveries from the lab to high-value exits
2. What is the “BioTech playbook” for Swiss startups?
It refers to the well-established path for Swiss BioTechs: spinning out of world-class academic labs, raising capital from experienced local and international VCs
, and progressing toward a high-value exit (M&A or IPO), a path proven by numerous successful companies.
3. What is the role of Basel in the global BioTech industry?
Basel is one of the world’s most important life science hubs, often called the “pharma capital.”. It is home to the global headquarters of Roche and Novartis, creating an “exceptional concentration of pharma expertise” that fuels the entire startup ecosystem.
4. How much venture capital has been invested in Swiss BioTech?
Swiss BioTech startups have raised $4.8 billion since 2019. 2024 was the most active year ever for BioTech funding. This sector alone has generated over $63.7 billion in enterprise value.
