The pharmaceuticals industry in the DACH region, which includes Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is pivotal in developing innovative therapies. This sector is characterized by numerous biopharma companies, research institutions, and startups focused on drug discovery, biologics, and medical devices. Known for rigorous research and development, the region is at the forefront of significant medical advancements, particularly in precision medicine and gene therapy. Projections show continued growth, with emphasis on sustainable practices and personalized healthcare solutions. Moreover, Germany and Switzerland frequently rank high in global pharmaceuticals export, reflecting their strong market presence and innovation.


The DACH region is home to influential pharmaceuticals investors, primarily venture capital firms, with varied backgrounds and strategies. Investments in 2024 total nearly 89, contributing to both emerging startups and established firms. The investors range from larger entities, like Novartis, based in Basel, to specialized funds like Leaps by Bayer in Berlin. Founded between 1979 and 2015, these firms display a range of sizes, from quite large to smaller, agile players, ensuring a dynamic investment environment that addresses the evolving needs of the pharmaceutical sector.


Top 12 Pharmaceuticals Investors in DACH


1. Novartis Venture Fund

  • Website: nvfund.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 10

The Novartis Venture Fund, founded in 1996 and based in Basel, Switzerland, is a venture capital firm that specializes in life sciences investments. The fund focuses on providing funding and support to innovative biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies, helping them develop novel therapeutics and address unmet patient needs. Notable transactions include a $26.6 million investment in PTC Therapeutics in 2005, a $33.7 million Series A investment in Acorda Therapeutics in 2001, and multiple rounds of funding for FORMA Therapeutics, including a $25.5 million Series B round in 2009. These investments highlight the fund's commitment to advancing pharmaceutical innovations and supporting companies that are pivotal in the life sciences sector.


2. HBM Healthcare Investments AG


HBM Healthcare Investments AG is an investment company based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. It specializes in the healthcare sector, managing a diversified portfolio that includes investments in human medicine, biotechnology, medical technology, and diagnostics. The firm actively seeks growth opportunities in the rapidly evolving healthcare market. Notably, HBM has been involved in significant financing rounds for PTC Therapeutics, a company dedicated to developing innovative therapies for genetic disorders. Their investments include a $30 million financing round in 2012, as well as earlier rounds totaling $50 million in 2009 and $26.6 million in 2005. These transactions highlight HBM's active role in supporting pharmaceutical advancements, particularly in the area of rare diseases and genetic therapies.


3. Novartis

  • Website: novartis.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1996
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 7
  • LinkedIn: novartis

Novartis AG is a prominent pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1996. The company specializes in developing and manufacturing innovative medicines aimed at addressing serious diseases across various therapeutic areas. Novartis emphasizes research and development to enhance patient outcomes globally. Notable transactions include the acquisition of AveXis in April 2018 for $8.7 billion, which highlights their strategic investment in gene therapy. Additionally, Novartis has been involved in funding rounds for companies like Rani Therapeutics, which focuses on innovative drug delivery systems. These activities underscore Novartis's active role in the pharmaceuticals industry, making them a significant player in the sector.


4. Nextech Invest


Nextech Invest is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in biotechnology with a strong emphasis on cancer therapeutics. The firm invests in promising drug discovery companies and provides strategic support to help these firms navigate the complexities of drug development. In 2014, Nextech led a $25 million Series B financing round for Blueprint Medicines, a company focused on genomically defined product candidates. They also participated in a $500 million Series C financing for the same company in 2014. Additionally, Nextech led a $55 million Series C financing round for Arvinas in 2018, which is advancing its oncology pipeline and other therapeutic areas. These transactions highlight Nextech's commitment to supporting innovative pharmaceutical companies, particularly in the oncology space.


5. Leaps by Bayer

  • Website: leaps.bayer.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Berlin, Berlin, Germany
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 16
  • LinkedIn: leapsbybayer

Leaps by Bayer is a venture capital firm based in Berlin, Germany, founded in 2015. The firm focuses on biotechnology and agriculture, investing in early-stage companies that aim to achieve scientific breakthroughs to tackle major global challenges in health and food security. In 2024 alone, Leaps by Bayer has made 16 investments, showcasing their active role in the investment landscape. Among their notable transactions, they co-led a Series B financing round for NextPoint Therapeutics, raising $80 million to advance novel immuno-oncology programs targeting the HHLA2 pathway. Additionally, they participated in a Series B financing for Immunitas Therapeutics, which is developing treatments for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. These transactions highlight Leaps by Bayer's commitment to fostering innovation in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in areas related to cancer treatment and immunotherapy.


6. Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund

  • Website: boehringer-ingelheim-venture.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Ingelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5

Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund is a venture capital firm based in Ingelheim Am Rhein, Germany, founded in 2010. The fund is dedicated to investing in pioneering science and biotechnology innovations within the healthcare sector. They provide both capital and expertise to startups, particularly in areas like immuno-oncology and digital health. Notable transactions include their participation in T3 Pharmaceuticals' Series C funding round, which raised $27 million for live bacteria cancer immunotherapy, and their involvement in Rgenta Therapeutics' funding rounds, including a $20 million seed round and a $52 million Series A round aimed at advancing RNA-targeting programs. These investments highlight their commitment to supporting innovative pharmaceutical developments.


7. HBM Partners AG


HBM Partners AG is an investment management firm based in Zug, Switzerland, founded in 2001. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, focusing on venture, growth, and buy-out financing for private companies, as well as public company investments in the biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, and healthcare sectors. HBM Partners serves institutional and professional clients, providing capital and strategic support to enhance value creation. Notable transactions include their participation in Nabriva Therapeutics' funding round, which raised EUR 15 million, and their co-lead role in Numab Therapeutics' Series C funding, which raised approximately $110 million. Additionally, they have been involved in significant funding rounds for Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corp and Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals, further solidifying their commitment to the pharmaceuticals sector.


8. BiomedVC

  • Website: biomedvc.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2003
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: biomedvc

BioMedVC is a venture capital firm based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 2003. The firm specializes in early-stage investments in the life sciences sector, focusing on supporting biotech startups by providing capital and strategic guidance to help them develop innovative medical solutions. Notable transactions include a $13.6 million Series A investment in Roche Glycart in 2003, which highlights their commitment to advancing pharmaceutical innovations. More recently, they participated in multiple funding rounds for TOLREMO therapeutics, including a $39 million Series A round in 2023 aimed at accelerating clinical studies for cancer treatments. These investments underscore BioMedVC's active role in the pharmaceuticals industry, particularly in supporting the development of new health technologies.


9. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1998. The firm specializes in life sciences, focusing on early- and growth-stage companies. They provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs in sectors such as therapeutics and medical devices, aiming to help innovative startups develop breakthrough technologies and achieve market success. Notable transactions include their involvement with immatics biotechnologies, where they participated in multiple funding rounds, including a $104 million Post-IPO Equity round in 2020 and a $58 million Series E financing round in 2017, which was aimed at advancing clinical trials for adoptive cell therapies. Additionally, they invested in SciRhom, which raised $68 million in a Series A round in 2024, further demonstrating their commitment to the pharmaceuticals sector.


10. Evotec

  • Website: evotec.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • Founded year: 1993
  • Headcount: 5001-10000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: evotec

Evotec SE is a biotechnology company based in Hamburg, Germany, founded in 1993. The company specializes in drug discovery and development, collaborating with pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to provide a comprehensive range of services from discovery to manufacturing. Evotec aims to address unmet medical needs and improve the efficiency of bringing new therapeutics to market through innovative solutions and partnerships. Notably, Evotec has participated in several significant transactions within the pharmaceuticals context, including a $310 million post-IPO equity investment in Sanofi, and involvement in funding rounds for companies like Forge Therapeutics, which raised $15 million to develop a novel LpxC inhibitor targeting multi-drug resistant bacteria. Additionally, Evotec participated in the Series A and Series B financing rounds for Immunitas Therapeutics, which raised $39 million and $58 million respectively, aimed at advancing treatments for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. These transactions highlight Evotec's active engagement in the pharmaceuticals sector and its commitment to fostering innovation in drug development.


11. Verve Ventures

  • Website: verve.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: investiere-venture-capital

Verve Ventures is a Zurich-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, specializing in deep tech investments across Europe. The firm provides funding and strategic support to science and technology startups, particularly in sectors such as climate tech, industrial technology, and health & bio. In the pharmaceuticals context, Verve Ventures has been involved in notable transactions, particularly with Memo Therapeutics. They participated in several funding rounds for Memo, including a Series C round in May 2024, where Memo Therapeutics raised over $22 million to advance their drug development efforts. Additionally, they were part of a Series C financing round in November 2023, which aimed to support a Phase II trial of a drug. These investments highlight Verve Ventures' engagement in the pharmaceutical sector, making them a relevant player in this field.


12. Bayern Kapital

  • Website: bayernkapital.de
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Landshut, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 27
  • LinkedIn: bayern-kapital-gmbh

Bayern Kapital is a venture capital firm based in Landshut, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in providing investment and growth capital to innovative high-tech startups and scale-ups in Bavaria. They support their clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development in various sectors, including life sciences. Notably, Bayern Kapital has participated in significant transactions within the pharmaceuticals context, such as the Series C financing round for CatalYm, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel immunotherapies for cancer. They also invested in Immunic AG during its Series A financing round, which highlights their commitment to supporting companies in the biopharmaceutical space. Additionally, their involvement in other funding rounds for companies like Tubulis and SciRhom further emphasizes their active role in the pharmaceuticals sector.



Pharmaceuticals Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Novartis Venture FundBasel, Basel, Switzerland11-50199610
HBM Healthcare Investments AGZug, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020018
NovartisBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+19967
Nextech InvestZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50199813
Leaps by BayerBerlin, Berlin, Germany11-50201516
Boehringer Ingelheim Venture FundIngelheim Am Rhein, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany11-5020105
HBM Partners AGZug, Zug, Switzerland11-5020010
BiomedVCBasel, Basel, Switzerland1-1020032
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
EvotecHamburg, Hamburg, Germany5001-1000019933
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527


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