Develco Pharma Schweiz

What Develco Pharma Schweiz does

Develco Pharma Schweiz AG is a privately held pharmaceutical company founded in 2006 and headquartered in Birsfelden, Switzerland, with a primary production facility in Schopfheim, Germany operating since 2016. The company specializes in developing and manufacturing modified release and sustained release oral solid dosage formulations built around generic active pharmaceutical ingredients, with proprietary formulation know-how developed in-house by co-founder and Head of R&D Dr. Hélène Rey. The core product portfolio includes over a dozen commercialized formulations registered in more than 40 markets worldwide, with therapeutic focus on severe pain (including a first-wave generic Tapentadol PR launched in Europe in 2022) and ADHD. The company has delivered 1.5 billion units and 30 million packages as of September 2022, with a stated target of 2 billion units.

The business operates three integrated modules: own product development (full value-chain ownership from formulation through regulatory approval), contract manufacturing (GMP-certified oral solid dose production with serialized packaging), and life cycle management (co-development partnerships for generics and hybrid/505(b)2 products using risk-share and value-share models). Revenue is generated primarily through B2B out-licensing of proprietary formulations to internationally operating pharmaceutical companies, supplemented by contract manufacturing fees; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The customer base consists of enterprise pharmaceutical firms licensing products for commercialization in their respective markets, with the company retaining end-to-end responsibility from development and clinical studies through regulatory submission, manufacturing, and supply. Operations span Switzerland (HQ, R&D, QC in Birsfelden; administrative office in Pratteln) and Germany (production in Schopfheim), with go-to-market concentrated at major industry events such as CPHI and DCAT Week.

The company is supported by a senior leadership team drawn from Big Five pharma backgrounds, including CEO Dr. Martin Renner (appointed January 2020), CFO Markus Gerstner (January 2024), CHRO Alain Frey (September 2023), Managing Director Schopfheim Annette Steiner-Kienzler (November 2023), Head of Quality Roberto Curseri-Rödiger, and Head of Supply Chain Doris Spiegel (March 2025). In October 2024, Develco secured approximately €10 million in growth capital from SHS Capital to scale capacity, and in June 2025 commissioned a new capsule production line at Schopfheim in partnership with Harro Höfliger. The company also holds a joint venture interest in Ketabon GmbH with HMNC Brain Health, developing KET01, an oral prolonged-release ketamine formulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression currently in Phase 2 development.

Name

Develco Pharma Schweiz

Legal name

Develco Pharma Schweiz AG

Website

https://develco.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Develco Pharma Schweiz is a private Swiss pharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures proprietary modified and sustained release oral solid dosage formulations for generic APIs, licensing them to international pharmaceutical companies across 40+ markets, with a primary focus on severe pain and ADHD therapeutics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Generic Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Small-Molecule Drug Product (Solid/Oral/Parenteral) CDMO (HLAGABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contract Development & Manufacturing for Generics (CDMO/CMO) (HLAIABAI), CMC & Pharmaceutical Development (Formulation/Process/Analytical Development) (HLAIALAD), Small-Molecule CMC Documentation & Regulatory Support (DMF/CMC) (HLAGAHAM)

Keywords

• Modified release formulations
• Sustained release drugs
• Generic pharmaceuticals manufacturing
• Oral solid dosage forms
• Contract pharmaceutical manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Pratteln

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Product Licensing: Develco develops proprietary drug formulations with extended/modified release technology. After regulatory approval, products are licensed to internationally operating pharmaceutical companies for commercialization in their respective markets. The company retains responsibility for the entire value chain from development through approval to manufacturing and delivery.
2. Contract Manufacturing (CMO Services): Contract manufacturing services for specialized oral solid dosage form products using modern production equipment. Services include formulation development support, commercial manufacturing, and serialized packaging for third-party pharmaceutical companies.
3. Co-Development Partnerships: Joint development arrangements with partners for oral solid dosage (OSD) development needs. Develco offers risk-share and value-share commercial models, differentiating from pure-playCDMOs by providing a one-stop solution from product idea to market approval.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Develco Pharma develops and manufactures innovative modified release and sustained release oral solid dosage formulations for generic active pharmaceutical ingredients. After regulatory approval, products are out-licensed to internationally operating pharmaceutical companies for commercialization, with Develco retaining responsibility for the full value chain from development and regulatory submission through manufacturing and supply. The company also offers contract manufacturing of specialized OSD products and risk-share/value-share co-development partnerships for generic and hybrid/505(b)2 products.

Product overview

Develco Pharma Schweiz is a private pharmaceutical company that develops and manufactures innovative modified release and sustained release oral solid dosage formulations for generic active ingredients. The company operates a platform model comprising its core product portfolio of over a dozen proprietary drug formulations (with focus on severe pain and ADHD treatment), supplemented by three service modules: Own Development Services (full-service formulation-to-market development), Contract Manufacturing Services (GMP-certified production with serialization), and Life Cycle Management Services (co-development partnerships for generics and hybrid products). Products are licensed to international pharmaceutical companies after regulatory approval. The company also holds a joint venture interest in Ketabon (KET01), an oral prolonged-release ketamine treatment for Treatment-Resistant Depression.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ketabon: Joint venture brand developing oral prolonged-release ketamine (KET01) formulation for treatment-resistant depression, operated as Ketabon GmbH

Products and services

• Modified Release Drug Formulations Proprietary oral solid dosage formulations with delayed or modified active ingredient release that create patient value through improved dosing convenience and efficacy, developed for licensing to international pharmaceutical companies.
• Sustained Release Drug Formulations Prolonged-release formulations that maintain therapeutic drug levels over extended periods, reducing dosing frequency and improving patient compliance, offered for licensing to international pharmaceutical partners.
• Ketabon (KET01) Oral prolonged-release ketamine formulation developed through the Ketabon GmbH joint venture with HMNC Brain Health for Treatment-Resistant Depression, suitable for at-home treatment with minimal dissociative side effects.
• Contract Manufacturing Services GMP-certified contract manufacturing of specialized oral solid dosage forms including tablets, capsules, pellets, and film-coated products, with serialization and automated packaging capabilities for third-party pharmaceutical companies.
• Life Cycle Management Services Co-development partnerships and lifecycle extension services for complex generic and hybrid/505(b)2 products, offered under risk-share and value-share commercial models with in-house regulatory expertise.
• Own Development Services Full-service pharmaceutical development from idea through market including formulation development, analytical method validation, stability testing, clinical studies, and regulatory submission for the company's proprietary product portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products commercialized in 40+ markets worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 6 June 2025Partnership with German machinery manufacturer for supply of capsule filling equipment. Harro Höfliger supplied a state-of-the-art capsule machine with AMV-dosing and dual pellet station capability for the Schopfheim production facility. This represents a significant investment in modern manufacturing capability.
• HMNC Brain HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 August 2023Joint venture partnership through Ketabon GmbH for development of KET01 oral prolonged-release ketamine formulation for Treatment-Resistant Depression. Develco contributes formulation and manufacturing expertise while HMNC Brain Health provides clinical development and regulatory capabilities. Phase 2 trial completed with positive top-line results demonstrating efficacy without dissociative side effects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hovione: European-based CDMO with expertise in particle engineering, solid dosage forms, and complex formulations — relevant peer given shared focus on difficult-to-formulate small molecules and B2B pharma partnerships.
• Aenova Group: One of Europe's largest CDMOs with broad solid and semi-solid dose capabilities including modified release — comparable in offering and customer base though significantly larger in scale.
• Hermes Arzneimittel: German specialty pharma and CDMO with strong expertise in modified and sustained release oral solid dosage forms — directly comparable in technology focus, geography, and B2B pharma customer base.
• Cenexi: French-headquartered CDMO providing contract development and manufacturing services for pharmaceuticals across multiple dosage forms — comparable European CDMO peer serving similar B2B customers.
• Rottendorf Pharma: German CDMO specializing in solid oral dosage forms including modified release technologies, serving international pharmaceutical companies — closely aligned with Develco's service offering and customer profile.
• NextPharma: European CDMO offering contract development and manufacturing for solid, semi-solid, and sterile dosage forms — comparable in service model and target customer segment.
• Temmler Werke: German specialty pharma manufacturer with capabilities in modified release oral solids and CDMO services — comparable in therapeutic focus, technology stack, and DACH-centric European footprint.

Emerging players

• ChemPartner: Asia-based CRO/CDMO with growing solid dose and formulation services — relevant emerging peer as Develco's licensing partners increasingly source from low-cost geographies for generic supply.

Broad incumbents

• Catalent: Global CDMO with extensive oral solid dose capabilities including modified release technologies — significantly larger but a relevant incumbent for comparable contract manufacturing and formulation development deals.
• Recipharm: Large-scale global CDMO with broad capabilities across multiple dosage forms — broader portfolio than Develco but competes for the same B2B pharma contract manufacturing and licensing opportunities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/develco-pharma-schweiz-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/teamdevelco

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Develco Pharma Schweiz