Entries by Georg Kääb

Switzerland’s biotech sector defies tough markets with record revenue

If one follows the figures in the Swiss Biotech Report 2026, the green lights are more prominent than the red warning signals. The Swiss biotech industry continued its growth momentum in 2025 and even reached new record highs. According to the industry report presented in early May at Swiss Biotech Day in Basel, total revenue among companies classified as biotech — which in this case explicitly does not include Roche and Novartis, for example — rose to CHF 7.5 billion, up from CHF 7.2 billion the previous year. The drivers were a growing number of market-ready products and persistently strong demand for specialized CDMO services.

,

Macrocycles: big is the new beautiful

In the evolving landscape of drug discovery and new design, scientists and pharmaceutical innovators ­continually strive to develop therapies that are both highly ­selective and clinically effective, while addressing targets ­previously deemed “undruggable”. In recent years, macrocycles – a class of large, ring-shaped molecules – have emerged as a compelling solution at the crossroads between ­traditional small molecules and large biologics, offering a blend of high specificity, rich chemical diversity and promising pharma­cological profiles.

Swiss Windward Bio adds US$165m to its Chinese pipeline

Basel-based Windward Bio did it again and has raised another three-digit millions – $165 million to be exact – to advance a pipeline of long-acting immunology therapies—much of it sourced through in-licensing deals with Chinese partners. Its lead candidate, WIN378, is moving into Phase III, with first clinical readouts expected from 2026.

Evonik: €80m for biopharma CDMO capacity in Slovakia

Evonik is investing €80 million in its fermentation plant in Slovakia, pushing the Group’s structural transformation forward with a major investment in biotechnology. Alongside spider‑silk proteins from Amsilk, the site is set to offer a broader CDMO portfolio for the pharmaceutical industry.

The rollercoaster ride stopps and danish IO Biotech goes bust

The Copenhagen-based cancer immunotherapy company IO Biotech has come to an abrupt end, marking one of the more sobering recent failures in Europe’s mid-cap biotech segment. Founded in 2019, the company had sought to position itself at the forefront of therapeutic cancer vaccines, but a decisive clinical and regulatory setback ultimately proved insurmountable.