Swiss biotech achieves record sales again in 2022

The Swiss Biotech Report 2023 shows that the Swiss biotech industry weathered global turbulence well last year and remains a leading driver of global healthcare innovation. The report was published by the Swiss Biotech Association together with consultancy firm EY and eight other partner organizations. The report states that Swiss biotech companies generated record revenues of 6.8 billion Swiss francs in 2022, up from 6.7 billion francs in the previous year. Investment in research and development also reached a new high, at 2.7 billion francs, despite global uncertainties and an overall more difficult funding environment in 2022.

"While global investors have been investing more selectively than during the Covid pandemic, Swiss biotech companies have been able to attract more than CHF 1.3 billion new funds, which reflects that both Swiss and global biotech investors continue to recognize the investment opportunities on offer,» comments Michael Altorfer, CEO of the Swiss Biotech Association in a press release on the report.

Listed companies received 780 million francs of fresh capital and 550 million francs of private capital. Two companies were newly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange: Kinarus Therapeutics and Xlife Sciences, the first company on the newly launched SME stock exchange segment Sparks.

According to the report, the fact that 20 percent of European biotech companies were headquartered in Switzerland at the end of 2022 shows Switzerland’s attractiveness as a business location. These companies cited the central location, modern infrastructure, business friendly environment, and the diverse talent pool as decisive factors for being based in Switzerland. The Swiss Biotech Report features several of such case studies.

At the Swiss Biotech Day on April 24, two Swiss companies received Swiss Biotech Success Stories Awards for outstanding achievements: Sophia Genetics from the canton of Vaud and Humabs BioMed from Bellinzona. Sophia Genetics analyzes patient data via its decentralized software platform. In 2022, the company hit the milestone of one million genomic profiles analyzed. Humabs BioMed is a pioneer in the development of human monoclonal antibodies. Phase II data for three programs in flu, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D virus infection are expected this year.