ACINO

What ACINO does

ACINO is a Swiss-headquartered specialty pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and distributes innovative and well-proven medicines across emerging markets spanning four continents — Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Türkiye, Ukraine, and Eurasian countries. Founded in 1836 and headquartered in Zurich, the company operates 5 owned manufacturing sites in Switzerland (Liesberg and Aesch), Ukraine (Kyiv), Estonia (Tallinn), the UAE (Dubai), and South Africa (Johannesburg), with regional hubs in Mexico City and Munich. ACINO is wholly owned by Arcera Life Sciences, a holding company established by Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor ADQ.

The company's core technology centers on oral solid dose (OSD) pharmaceutical manufacturing with 50+ years of expertise and advanced drug delivery systems including Multi-Unit Pellet System (MUPS), minitablets, dispersible formulations, modified-release formulations, and bi-layer tablets. EU GMP certifications are maintained across multiple sites, and ACINO holds 650+ marketing authorization licenses in the EU and Rest of World, with a portfolio spanning 2,000+ medicines across cardiovascular, CNS, infectious disease, oncology, gastrointestinal, and rare disease therapeutic areas.

ACINO generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) in-licensing and out-licensing of pharmaceutical products with exclusive regional or local distribution agreements and tender support; (2) contract manufacturing for global pharma partners using its EU GMP-certified facilities; and (3) direct product marketing and sales through field sales teams in emerging markets. Key customers include global pharma companies (Chiesi, Dr. Reddy's, Merck Group, UCB, Ipsen, Daewoong, Karo Healthcare, Merz Therapeutics, Ferrer, SERB) and exclusive regional distribution partners (Janssen/J&J in South Africa, Sobi for orphan drugs in Kazakhstan, LG Chem and Supernus in LATAM, Klosterfrau in Ukraine, AriBio for Alzheimer's therapies). Customer segments span patients in emerging markets seeking access to affordable medicines, global pharmaceutical companies needing reliable manufacturing and market access, and regional distributors seeking quality generics.

Name

ACINO

Legal name

Acino International AG

Website

https://acino.swiss

Company type

Private

Founded year

1836

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

ACINO is a Swiss pharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and distributes innovative and generic medicines across emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Eurasian countries. It operates five EU GMP-certified manufacturing sites with proprietary drug delivery technologies (MUPS, minitablets) as part of Arcera Life Sciences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Oral Solid Dose (OSD) Generics (HLAIABAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Generic Finished Dosage Form (FDF) Manufacturing (HLAIABAH)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Oral solid dosage
• Drug delivery systems
• Pharmaceutical licensing
• Contract manufacturing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Licensing and Distribution: Acino in-licenses pharmaceutical products (Rx, OTC/DTC) seeking exclusive regional or local licensing and distribution agreements, and out-licenses generics providing tender support to help partners explore new opportunities and accelerate market entry.
2. Contract Manufacturing: Manufacturing pharmaceutical products for partners using advanced drug delivery technologies including tablets, capsules, dispersible formulations, MUPS, and minitablets. EU GMP-certified facilities serving global pharmaceutical companies.
3. Product Marketing and Sales: Marketing and selling pharmaceutical products across emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Ukraine, and Eurasian countries through commercial operations and field sales teams.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Acino develops, manufactures, and internationally markets well-proven and innovative pharmaceuticals in novel drug delivery forms. The company provides contract manufacturing of oral solid dosage (OSD) products including tablets, capsules, dispersible formulations, MUPS, and minitablets, alongside in-licensing and out-licensing of pharmaceutical products, and commercial distribution across emerging markets spanning four continents.

Product overview

ACINO is a Swiss pharmaceutical company that operates as a partner for innovative and proven medicines in emerging markets. The company offers a portfolio of contract manufacturing services for oral solid dosage (OSD) pharmaceutical products including tablets, capsules, dispersible formulations, and advanced modified-release formulations (MUPS and minitablets). Their commercial operations span four continents distributing medicines across Africa, Latin America, Middle East, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Eurasian countries. ACINO provides product licensing services (in-licensing and out-licensing), tender support, and primary/secondary packaging solutions. The company also distributes branded pharmaceutical products through partnerships with companies like Janssen and Sobi, and recently launched Ariprazol® (aripiprazole) in the EU market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contract Manufacturing Services
• Pharmaceutical Distribution
• Product Marketing & Licensing
• Primary and Secondary Packaging
• Ariprazol® (aripiprazole)
• Nazik®, Neo-Angin®, Soledum® Forte (Klosterfrau brands)
• Janssen Products (Pain, Neuroscience, Anti-fungal)
• Sobi Orphan Drugs (Kazakhstan)

Quantifiable outcome

• 650+ marketing authorization licenses in EU and Rest of World
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

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

13 partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• M42strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Strategic non-exclusive collaboration for biopharma localization, clinical development, and next-generation healthcare innovation in Abu Dhabi. Leverages genomics data and advanced data platforms.
• Emirates Drug EstablishmentstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 May 2026MoU to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities in UAE. Collaboration across local manufacturing, talent development, research and innovation, and strategic supply of medical products.
• Fosun PharmastrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Long-term collaboration framework for regional and global licensing, frontier technology incubation, and strategic collaboration in neurodegenerative diseases. Joint R&D aligned with China-UAE bilateral partnership.
• NYU Abu DhabiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2026Catalyst Forum hosted at NYU Abu Dhabi bringing together global healthcare leaders to discuss AI-powered healthcare transformation across Middle East.
• ISPOR UAE ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2026MoU to advance health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and health technology assessment (HTA) in the UAE. Focus on capacity building, career development, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Klosterfrau Healthcare GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 2 September 2025Strategic distribution agreement for commercialization and promotion of three OTC brands (Nazik, Neo-Angin, Soledum Forte) in Ukraine. Expands Acino's portfolio into cold and respiratory therapeutic area.
• AriBiostrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2025Exclusive licensing and supply agreements for AR1001, an investigational therapy for Alzheimer's disease. Collaboration to advance development and commercialize across multiple international markets.
• LG ChemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 July 2024Exclusive agreement to market, commercialize and distribute Hyruan One in Brazil, and Zemiglo and Zemimet SR (Zemiduo SR in Mexico) for type 2 diabetes and osteoarthritis treatments in Latin America.
• SupernuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 7 May 2024Exclusive license agreement to develop and commercialize products for treatment of diseases of the central nervous system in Latin America.
• SobicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2024Exclusive five-year distribution agreement for orphan drugs including Doptelet, Aspaveli, Gamifant, Kineret, Orfadin, Tegsedi, Waylivra in Kazakhstan. Acino occupies about 30% of target market segment.
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 May 2023Exclusive agreement to market and sell Janssen products in pain, neuroscience and anti-fungal therapeutic areas in South Africa. Supports Acino's strategy to increase patient access to high-quality medicines.
• Pharmax PharmaceuticalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 March 2023Integration of Pharmax Pharmaceuticals, a UAE-based manufacturer and distributor of high-quality medications. Over 100 employees and GCC/EU GMP-certified manufacturing site added to enhance Acino's capabilities in the Middle East. Both companies owned by ADQ.
• Arcera Life SciencescoreOthersAcino is part of Arcera Life Sciences, a global life sciences company headquartered in Abu Dhabi established by ADQ. Arcera provides manufacturing network, regulatory expertise, and commercialization infrastructure across 120+ markets.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Aenova Group: European-headquartered CDMO with deep OSD, softgel, and sterile manufacturing capabilities. Closely comparable to Acino's Liesberg and Aesch operations in contract oral solid dose manufacturing for global pharma partners.
• Catalent: Global CDMO offering OSD, sterile, and biologic drug product services. Comparable as a contract development and manufacturing peer for Acino's out-licensing and CMO services across dosage forms.
• Recipharm: European CDMO with broad OSD and sterile fill-finish capabilities serving pharma partners globally. Comparable to Acino's contract manufacturing model and EU GMP-certified footprint.
• Aspen Pharmacare: South African-headquartered specialty and generics pharma with strong emerging-markets presence across Africa and Asia. Directly comparable to Acino's emerging-market commercial footprint and branded/generic portfolio.
• Cipla: Indian global generic pharmaceutical major with strong presence in Africa, LATAM and emerging markets. Directly comparable to Acino in respiratory, CNS, and anti-infective generics in emerging markets.
• Hovione: Portuguese CDMO specializing in oral dosage forms, particle engineering, and complex formulations. Comparable to Acino's MUPS and modified-release OSD expertise and pharma partner services.
• Piramal Pharma Solutions: Indian-headquartered global CDMO offering OSD, sterile, and complex generics manufacturing. Comparable as a peer offering contract manufacturing services with EU GMP credentials to global pharma partners.
• Julphar (Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries): UAE-headquartered pharmaceutical manufacturer serving the Middle East and Africa. Comparable to Acino's GCC operations and Pharmax integration in regional branded generics.
• Fareva: French-headquartered CDMO offering OSD, sterile, and topical contract manufacturing globally. Comparable to Acino's EU GMP OSD CDMO platform and pharma partner services.

Regional players

• Eurofarma: Latin American pharmaceutical company headquartered in Brazil with branded generics and specialty pharma focus. Comparable to Acino's LATAM hub and emerging-market commercialization playbook post-M8 acquisition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/AcinoSwiss
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• Facebookfacebook.com/acino.swiss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acino-pharma-ag
• Instagraminstagram.com/acino.swiss

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about ACINO