The active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) manufacturing sector in DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) is crucial for producing medications required in healthcare. This industry includes a mix of large multinational corporations and dynamic startups specializing in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. Companies in this field focus on creating both generic and branded APIs, ensuring drug manufacturers have reliable raw materials to innovate and develop new therapeutics. As the demand for more effective treatments grows, the sector is evolving towards more sustainable practices and advanced methodologies that enhance efficiency while meeting regulatory demands. Investment in this area continues to increase, highlighting its importance for global health.


The DACH region is home to a vibrant array of investors in the active pharmaceutical ingredients sector, spanning corporate giants and specialized venture capital firms. In 2024, these investors varied in size, with some like Brenntag employing over 10,000 people, while others, such as HBM Partners, maintain teams of less than 100. Established between 1996 and 2010, these firms reflect a commitment to innovative healthcare solutions, collectively participating in numerous investment deals to support drug development. The investor landscape underlines a blend of experience and fresh ideas, crucial for advancing pharmaceutical manufacturing.


Top 17 Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Manufacturing 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

Novartis Venture Fund is a venture capital firm based in Basel, Switzerland, founded in 1996. The firm specializes in life sciences investments, providing funding and support to innovative biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. Their mission is to help these companies develop novel therapeutics and address unmet patient needs. In recent years, the fund has been active in various transactions, including multiple rounds of investment in Evolva, a company focused on synthetic biology and the production of active ingredients for pharmaceuticals. Notably, Evolva raised significant amounts in Series A and B funding rounds, indicating the fund's commitment to supporting advancements in the pharmaceutical sector. This involvement in companies that contribute to the API manufacturing landscape highlights the fund's relevance in this industry.


2. HBM Healthcare Investments AG


HBM Healthcare Investments AG is a venture capital firm based in Zug, Switzerland, specializing in the healthcare sector. Founded in 2001, the firm manages a diversified portfolio of healthcare companies, focusing on human medicine, biotechnology, medical technology, and diagnostics. In 2024, HBM Healthcare Investments has been involved in several significant transactions, including a venture round for SAI Life Sciences, which raised approximately $2.75 million. This investment is particularly relevant as SAI Life Sciences is engaged in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Other notable transactions include substantial funding rounds for companies like Alumis and Everest Medicines, which are focused on developing pharmaceutical products. These activities demonstrate HBM's commitment to supporting innovation and growth in the healthcare market, including the active pharmaceutical ingredients sector.


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, based in Basel, Switzerland, is a leading pharmaceutical company founded in 1996. The company focuses on developing and manufacturing innovative medicines to address serious diseases across various therapeutic areas. Novartis emphasizes research and development to enhance patient outcomes. Notably, Novartis has made significant acquisitions that bolster its position in the active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing sector, including the acquisition of the European generics business of BASF Pharma for €115 million in 2000, Hexal for $8.3 billion in 2005, and Fougera Pharmaceuticals for $1.525 billion in 2012. These strategic moves highlight Novartis's commitment to expanding its capabilities in the generics market and active pharmaceutical ingredients, reinforcing its relevance in this industry.


4. Brenntag

  • Website: brenntag.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
  • Founded year: 1874
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 8
  • LinkedIn: brenntag

Brenntag SE, founded in 1874 and headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is a leading chemical distributor that connects chemical manufacturers and users. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Brenntag serves approximately 195,000 customers across various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas. The company simplifies access to complex supply chains and provides a wide range of specialty and industrial chemicals, along with value-added services. Notably, Brenntag has made several strategic acquisitions to enhance its capabilities in the chemical distribution sector. For instance, their acquisition of Matrix Chemical, a North American acetone specialist, and Quadra Chemicals, a U.S. distributor of industrial and specialty chemicals, reflects their commitment to expanding their portfolio in the chemical distribution space, which includes active pharmaceutical ingredients. Additionally, their acquisition of Y.S. Ashkenazi Agencies and Lionheart Chemical Enterprises further demonstrates their strategy to penetrate various markets, including those relevant to pharmaceuticals.


5. 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 a $57 million Series A investment in Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corp in 2004, participation in a funding round for Nabriva Therapeutics in 2009, which raised EUR 15 million, and a $96 million Series B investment in Monte Rosa Therapeutics in 2020. These transactions highlight HBM Partners' active role in the biopharmaceutical sector, which is closely related to active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing.


6. 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 has made significant acquisitions to enhance its capabilities, including the acquisition of Aptuit LLC for $300 million, which aimed to strengthen their services in respiratory and fibrosis therapeutic areas. Additionally, their acquisition of Cyprotex PLC for approximately €66.3 million reflects their commitment to integrating preclinical contract research into their drug discovery processes. These strategic moves demonstrate Evotec's focus on addressing unmet medical needs and improving the efficiency of bringing new therapeutics to market, positioning them as a relevant player in the active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing landscape.


7. 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, particularly in sectors such as life sciences and software. Bayern Kapital supports its clients with financial resources and access to a network of industry experts, helping them navigate the challenges of growth and development. Notably, they have participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Immunic AG, which closed a €17.5 million Series A financing round, and Tubulis, which raised substantial amounts in Series A and Series B rounds to develop new classes of antibody-drug conjugates. Their involvement in these transactions highlights their active role in the life sciences sector, which is closely related to active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing.


8. Wellington Partners


Wellington Partners is a Munich-based venture capital firm founded in 1998, specializing in life sciences. The firm focuses on early- and growth-stage companies, providing both capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs in various sectors, including therapeutics and medical devices. Notable transactions include significant investments in Evolva, which raised over $43 million in Series B funding in 2009, and HepaRegeniX, which secured $24 million in 2025. These investments highlight Wellington Partners' commitment to supporting innovative startups that may contribute to advancements in pharmaceuticals and potentially active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing.


9. 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 2024, Verve Ventures has been active with 25 investments, showcasing their commitment to fostering innovation. Notably, they participated in significant funding rounds for companies like Memo Therapeutics, which raised CHF 25 million in a Series C financing round aimed at advancing drug trials and manufacturing processes. This involvement highlights their engagement in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in the context of active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing, as they support companies that are directly involved in drug development and production.


10. Roche

  • Website: roche.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Switzerland
  • Founded year: 1896
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 5
  • LinkedIn: roche

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG is a healthcare company based in Switzerland, founded in 1896. It specializes in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, focusing on developing innovative solutions for various health conditions, particularly cancer treatments and in-vitro diagnostics. Roche aims to improve health outcomes through its comprehensive offerings, serving healthcare providers, patients, and laboratories. The company has been active in the investment landscape, with notable acquisitions such as Roche Glycart, Marcadia Biotech, and Tensha Therapeutics, which enhance its capabilities in drug development. These transactions reflect Roche's strategy to bolster its pharmaceutical portfolio, potentially including active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing as part of its broader operations.


11. Pureos Bioventures


Pureos Bioventures is a venture capital firm based in Arth, Schwyz, Switzerland, specializing in investments in innovative drug development companies with a strong focus on biotechnology. Founded with the aim of supporting biotechnology firms, Pureos provides both capital and strategic guidance to help advance therapeutic solutions for severe diseases. In 2024 alone, Pureos Bioventures has made seven investments, showcasing their active role in the industry. Notable transactions include their participation in a €116 million financing round for AM Pharma, which is conducting pivotal Phase III trials for a treatment related to acute kidney injury, and their investment in Araris Biotech, which is developing proprietary antibody-drug conjugate-linker technology. These investments highlight Pureos's commitment to supporting companies that are integral to the pharmaceutical development process, including those involved in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients.


12. redalpine


Redalpine is a venture capital firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, founded in 2006. The firm specializes in investing in technology and science sectors, providing funding and strategic support to startups, particularly in areas like AI, health tech, and energy. Redalpine has been involved in several relevant transactions in the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors, such as their participation in the Series A financing of TOLREMO therapeutics, which focuses on therapeutic development, and their investment in EraCal, a company developing anti-obesity medicines. These transactions highlight Redalpine's commitment to supporting innovative companies that address significant health challenges, aligning with the interests of active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing.


13. BASF Venture Capital

  • Website: basf.de
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 3
  • LinkedIn: basf

BASF Venture Capital, founded in 2001 and based in Ludwigshafen, Germany, is the corporate venture capital arm of BASF, a leading global chemical manufacturer. The firm focuses on investing in innovative companies across various industries, including automotive, construction, and agriculture, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and enhancing product performance. Notably, BASF Venture Capital has participated in several funding rounds for companies like P2 Science, which raised significant capital to expand production capabilities and build commercial plants. These investments highlight BASF's interest in sustainable chemical processes that could be applicable to the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the realm of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Other investments include Advanced BioNutrition and Bota Biosciences, which further demonstrate their engagement in sectors that may intersect with pharmaceutical manufacturing.


14. Possible Ventures

  • Website: possible.ventures
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
  • Founded year: 2021
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 9
  • LinkedIn: possible-vc

Possible Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, founded in 2021. The firm has a small team and has been active in various funding rounds, with a total of 9 investments in 2024 alone. Notably, Possible Ventures has participated in funding rounds for companies like Sensible Biotechnologies, which is developing a cell-based platform for cost-efficient mRNA manufacturing, and Chemify, which raised $43 million in a Series A round and is involved in chemical processes relevant to pharmaceuticals. Additionally, they have invested in Insempra, which has raised significant funds in both Seed and Series A rounds, indicating a focus on innovative biotech solutions. While their investments touch on areas related to active pharmaceutical ingredients, their broader focus on fintech and other sectors may dilute their relevance specifically to API manufacturing.


15. SHS Capital


SHS Gesellschaft für Beteiligungsmanagement mbH, commonly known as SHS Capital, is a private equity firm based in Germany, founded in 1993. The firm specializes in healthcare investments, providing capital and strategic support to fast-growing healthcare companies. SHS Capital aims to help these companies scale and succeed in the market. Among their notable transactions, they participated in a venture round for Develco Pharma Schweiz, which raised approximately $10.9 million in October 2024, indicating their active involvement in the pharmaceutical sector. Additionally, they have invested in c-LEcta, a company that may have relevance in the biotech and pharmaceutical fields, although specific details on the transaction are limited. Their investment strategy includes a focus on innovative healthcare solutions, which aligns with the active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing industry.


16. Nestlé Health Science


Nestlé Health Science is a corporate investor based in Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland, specializing in health and nutrition, particularly in medical nutrition and pharmaceuticals. Founded in 2011, the company has made significant investments in the pharmaceutical sector, including a notable acquisition of Aimmune Therapeutics for $2.6 billion in August 2020, which focuses on developing treatments for food allergies. Prior to this acquisition, Nestlé Health Science had invested a total of $473 million in Aimmune through various funding rounds, indicating a strong commitment to the pharmaceutical space. Additionally, they acquired IM HealthScience in August 2020, further expanding their portfolio in the health and nutrition sector. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, Nestlé Health Science operates globally, providing innovative products aimed at improving health outcomes for patients and consumers, thereby reinforcing their relevance in the active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing industry.


17. Schroders Capital


Schroders Capital is an investment management firm based in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in private assets. Founded in 1997, the firm offers a diverse range of services, including private equity, real estate, private debt, and infrastructure investments. It serves institutional investors and organizations, providing tailored solutions to effectively integrate private assets into their portfolios. Notably, Schroders Capital has been involved in several significant transactions in the pharmaceutical sector, including a $55 million Series C financing for Decibel Therapeutics, which focuses on hearing drug discovery. They also participated in the Series C funding for Mission Therapeutics, a company that develops therapies for diseases caused by protein misfolding. Additionally, they were involved in the Series B financing rounds for Amal Therapeutics, which is engaged in developing cancer immunotherapies. These transactions highlight Schroders Capital's active role in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in companies that may be involved in the active pharmaceutical ingredients manufacturing process.



Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in DACH


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
Novartis Venture FundBasel, Basel, Switzerland11-50199610
HBM Healthcare Investments AGZug, Zug, Switzerland1001-500020018
NovartisBasel, Basel, Switzerland10001+19967
BrenntagEssen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany10001+18748
HBM Partners AGZug, Zug, Switzerland11-5020010
EvotecHamburg, Hamburg, Germany5001-1000019933
Bayern KapitalLandshut, Bavaria, Germany11-50199527
Wellington PartnersMunich, Bavaria, Germany11-5019989
Verve VenturesZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50201025
RocheSwitzerland10001+18965
Pureos BioventuresArth, Schwyz, Switzerland11-507
redalpineZurich, Zurich, Switzerland11-50200618
BASF Venture CapitalLudwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany10001+20013
Possible VenturesMunich, Bavaria, Germany1-1020219
SHS CapitalGermany11-5019932
Nestlé Health ScienceLausanne, Vaud, Switzerland10001+20112
Schroders CapitalZurich, Zurich, Switzerland51-20019970


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