June 2008

Another strong year for Swiss biotechnology

According to the Swiss Biotech Report 2008, Switzerland’s biotechnology industry enjoyed healthy growth in 2007. Market indicators point to double-digit growth in many key areas and suggest that Switzerland has expanded its role and reputation as a high activity biotech and life sciences location.

Swiss biotech companies generated turnover of CHF 7116 million in 2007, which, when compared with CHF 6424 million in 2006, represents a significant increase of 10.8%. The number of Swiss biotech employees grew by 10% in 2007, and R&D investment by private and listed companies increased by 6%, to CHF 1696 million (2006: CHF 1600 million). These R&D investments have yielded positive results regarding products. «There are more than enough products in the pipeline and the sector can look to the future with confidence», says Jürg Zürcher, partner and biotechnology leader for Central Europe with Ernst & Young.

In addition, there is ongoing increased belief by capital investors in Swiss biotech companies. New investors pumped more than CHF 885 million into biotechnology, exceeding the previous record of CHF 780 million in 2006 (up 13.5%). Private Swiss biotech firms raised CHF 246 million (2006: CHF 224 million, up approx. 10%). Also, SWX Swiss Exchange saw a CHF 137 million IPO by Addex Pharmaceuticals (the largest in Europe, 2007) that made for a successful year at SXI LIFE SCIENCES® and SXI Bio+Medtech indices (despite the acquisition of Swiss Serono by industry leader Merck). This is further significant evidence of the strength of the Swiss biotechnology sector. «The various investments clearly reflect the strong belief of the capital investors in the biotech companies and their employees. It is also remarkable that relatively small young companies, which only have some preclinical products so far, achieved some of the larger financing rounds», states Dr med Yvonne Gunsch-Wegmann, Head of Issuer & Investor Relations, SWX Swiss Exchange.

About Swiss Biotech
The Swiss Biotech label was created to bolster the Swiss biotech industry at home and abroad and to ensure a uniform image. Swiss Biotech is a consortium of the Swiss biotech regions BioAlps, Biopolo Ticino, BaselArea and Greater Zurich Area. Additional members of this marketing alliance are the SWX Swiss Exchange, the Swiss Biotech Association and the Medical Cluster.

www.swissbiotech.org
 

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