Bellevue Asset Management has launched a bid to attract more risk capital for the biotech industry in Switzerland. These are the motives behind the initiative.

Switzerland lacks institutional venture capital to help efficiently translate its innovative power into local biotech company formation and advance their development, said Bellevue Asset Management in a statement. This is despite its leading position in life science research.

Bellevue therefore launched BB Pureos Bioventures, a venture capital fund that will invest in young, innovative drug development companies in Switzerland and abroad.

Not Enough Venture Capital

«Unfortunately, we have too little venture capital in Switzerland, and with our new fund, we are trying to change this,» said Dominik Escher, managing partner of BB Pureos Bioventures. Escher is president of the Swiss Biotech Association.

The fund focuses on companies developing the next generation of biological drugs for indications with high medical need.

«We have backed great Swiss success stories in the past, like Actelion, Glycart or Molecular Partners,» said Martin Muenchbach, senior investment adviser at Bellevue and managing partner at BB Pureos. «Today we see exciting young companies and projects here that could develop into the success stories of tomorrow.»

Making a Difference for Patients

According to its own estimates, Bellevue is one of the biggest and most experienced healthcare investor globally. The company invested in more than 80 private healthcare companies since 1995.

«We want to invest in young companies that develop products, which make a significant difference for patients,» added Klaus Breiner, senior investment adviser at Bellevue and managing partner of BB Pureos Bioventures.