Cerbios-Pharma
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1976
- HeadquartersLugano, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cerbios-Pharma does
Cerbios-Pharma SA is a privately held Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Barbengo/Lugano that operates as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specializing in complex active pharmaceutical ingredients and biological products. Founded in 1976 and now operating under the umbrella of the HAS Healthcare Advanced Synthesis SA Group, the company runs two integrated divisions: a Chemical Division built around High Potency Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (HPAPI) manufacturing with category 4 containment (OEL < 3 ng/m³) capability since 1993, and a Biological Division covering monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and the proprietary SF68® (E. faecium NCIMB 10415) pharmaceutical probiotic strain, which has held Swiss regulatory approval since 1979. Under its PROVEO™ sub-brand, Cerbios offers fully integrated end-to-end CDMO services for antibody-drug conjugates spanning cell-line development, mAb production, linker-payload chemistry, ADC drug substance, and ADC drug product.
The company generates revenue through a mix of contract manufacturing services, sale of proprietary drug substances (including reduced folates such as calcium folinate and sodium folinate, vitamin D analogs like calcipotriol and calcitriol, tiotropium bromide, and recombinant urokinase), SF68®-based finished dosage forms for human health, and the Cernivet® animal health product line. Its go-to-market is enterprise-direct, focused on pharmaceutical and biotech partners globally, with brand presence at CPHI Worldwide, DCAT Global Summit, and World ADC Asia. Strategic partnerships span co-development with the Institute for Research in Biomedicine on leukemia-targeting ADCs, equity-backed collaboration with Lipidor AB on the AKVANO® sprayable drug-delivery platform, and clinical execution through Cadila Pharmaceuticals in India. Cerbios' regulatory track record includes three FDA cGMP inspections passed without 483 observations, the most recent in April 2018. In March 2025, 66 Equity Partners made its first European investment through the HAS Group, and in January 2026 the Group announced a strategic investment plan to expand CDMO and ADC manufacturing capacity.
Cerbios-Pharma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cerbios-Pharma
- Legal name
- Cerbios-Pharma SA
- Website
- https://cerbios.swiss
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1976
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cerbios-Pharma industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (CDMO)
- NAICS
- Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)
- SIC
- Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO (HLAGABAC), Clinical Trial Material (CTM) Manufacturing & Supply CDMO (HLAGABAK), Small-Molecule Drug Product (Solid/Oral/Parenteral) CDMO (HLAGABAB), Contract Development & Manufacturing for Generics (CDMO/CMO) (HLAIABAI)
Keywords
Where Cerbios-Pharma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lugano
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cerbios-Pharma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- CDMO Contract Manufacturing Services: Contract development and manufacturing services for APIs, HPAPIs, and ADCs for pharmaceutical and biotech partners. Services include technology transfer, scale-up, and commercial production.
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Sale of manufactured drug substances including calcipotriol, calcitriol, calcium folinates, doxercalciferol, recombinant urokinase, tiotropium bromide, and other APIs.
- Finished Dosage Forms & Probiotics: Pharmaceutical probiotics based on SF68® technology, including New Flora and finished probiotic products for human health applications.
- Animal Health Products: Cernivet® product line including LBC G35, LBC ME5 PET, LBC ME10, and LBC ME20 plus for veterinary applications.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Cerbios-Pharma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cerbios-Pharma is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) providing specialized manufacturing services for chemical and biological active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), high-potency APIs (HPAPIs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), proteins, and pharmaceutical-grade probiotics. Through its PROVEO™ division it delivers fully integrated end-to-end ADC services from cell line development to drug product, while also selling proprietary drug substances (calcipotriol, reduced folates, tiotropium bromide, recombinant urokinase), SF68®-based probiotic products, and Cernivet® animal health products.
Product overview
Cerbios-Pharma is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) operating as part of the HAS Group. The company offers a dual-division structure: a Chemical Division providing HPAPI (High Potency Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) manufacturing with containment capabilities, and a Biological Division providing services for monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and probiotics. Under its PROVEO™ division, it offers fully integrated end-to-end ADC CDMO services from cell line development through to ADC drug substance and drug product. The product portfolio includes multiple drug substances (folates, vitamin D analogs, Tiotropium Bromide, Recombinant Urokinase), SF68®-based probiotic finished dosage forms for human health, and Cernivet® animal health products. The company also participates in external partnerships including the AKVANO® drug delivery technology platform and ADC research collaborations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PROVEO™: Division providing fully integrated End-to-End CDMO services platform for ADCs, from cell line development and mAbs, up to Linker-Payload, ADC DS and ADC DP.
- SF68®
- Bioflorin®
- Newflora®
- Neoflor®
- Diaflor®
- Ventrux®
- Cernivet®
Products and services
- HPAPI Contract Development and Manufacturing Services Contract development and manufacturing services for high potency active pharmaceutical ingredients with Category 4 containment capabilities (OEL<3ng/m3), operational since 1993 and validated by multiple FDA cGMP inspections since 2000.
- ADC Contract Development and Manufacturing Services Contract development and manufacturing services for antibody-drug conjugates including cell line development, monoclonal antibody production, linker-payload chemistry, ADC drug substance, and ADC drug product manufacturing.
- Proteins & Antibodies CDMO Services Contract development and manufacturing services for monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins under the Biological Division.
- SF68® Probiotic Active Ingredient Proprietary probiotic active ingredient of pharmaceutical quality (E. faecium SF68® / NCIMB 10415) approved as pharmaceutical probiotic by health authorities starting from Switzerland in 1979, used in pharmaceutical probiotics for prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and as a base for branded products like Bioflorin®, Newflora®, Neoflor®, Diaflor®, and Ventrux®.
- Proprietary API Drug Substances (Calcipotriol, Calcitriol, Calcium Folinates, Doxercalciferol, Tiotropium Bromide, Recombinant Urokinase) Drug substance product line including Calcipotriol (psoriasis), Calcitriol (vitamin D analog), Calcium Folinate / Calcium Levofolinate / Calcium Levomefolate / Calcium Mefolinate / Sodium Folinate / Levomefolate Free Acid (reduced folates for oncology), Doxercalciferol (vitamin D analog), Tiotropium Bromide (anticholinergic bronchodilator), and Recombinant Urokinase (thrombolytic enzyme). Cerbios has established leadership in reduced folates for oncology with USA market presence since 1982.
- Cernivet® Animal Health Probiotic Line Veterinary probiotic product line for livestock and pet health applications, including Cernivet® LBC G35, LBC ME5 PET, LBC ME10, and LBC ME20 plus, leveraging the SF68® probiotic technology platform adapted for animal health.
Quantifiable outcome
- Third FDA inspection with no 483 observations achieved April 2018
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Cerbios-Pharma
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cerbios-Pharma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Cerbios-Pharma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- IRB (Institute for Research in Biomedicine)coreCollaboration to develop antibodies targeted at leukemia cells. IRB provides antibody technology while Cerbios contributes chemical conjugation expertise for ADC development. Supported by InterReg LeucITi project financed by European Community and Canton of Ticino.
- Lipidor ABcoreCerbios is a shareholder and serves as cGMP API manufacturer for Lipidor's AKVANO-based Calcipotriol anti-psoriasis spray. Cerbios supplies clinical trial material and manufactures active ingredients for the product.
- Fondazione TettamantiminorLeucITi project partner providing clinical testing capability for new leukemia treatment drug development at Ospedale di Monza, Italy.
- Università di Insubria e Piemonte OrientaleminorLeucITi project partner contributing chemistry expertise for nanoparticle improvement and cell impact evaluation for leukemia treatment research.
- Cadila PharmaceuticalsminorResponsible for clinical Phase III trial of Calcipotriol Spray at 10 centers in India. Partnership with Lipidor for product development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cerbios-Pharma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- WuXi STA: China-based CDMO (part of WuXi AppTec) with integrated small-molecule API, HPAPI, and biologics services, including ADC. A direct competitor in the global CDMO and ADC outsourcing market, but with significantly greater scale and geographic diversification.
- Samsung Biologics: Large Korean biologics CDMO expanding into ADC manufacturing services. Relevant comparison for Cerbios' biologics and ADC CDMO activities, though Samsung operates at significantly larger scale and is more focused on mammalian biologics.
- AGC Biologics: Global CDMO offering microbial and mammalian biologics, with growing capabilities in antibody-drug conjugates. Comparable to Cerbios' biological division and PROVEO™ ADC platform, but with a wider modalities footprint.
- Lonza Group: Swiss-headquartered global CDMO leader with a large HPAPI and biologics franchise, including integrated ADC development and manufacturing services. Direct overlap with Cerbios' HPAPI and PROVEO™ ADC platform, but at significantly greater scale and across a broader modalities portfolio.
- Catalent: Large global CDMO (now under Novo Holdings) with biologics, cell and gene therapy, and ADC development/manufacturing capabilities. Comparable to Cerbios as a CDMO for complex biologics and ADCs, but with materially greater scale, geographic reach, and a broader service offering.
Direct peers
- Piramal Pharma Solutions: India-headquartered CDMO with dedicated HPAPI and ADC capabilities, including antibody drug conjugate development and manufacturing. Comparable to Cerbios in HPAPI/ADC scope, with stronger presence in India and a larger generics-CDMO base.
- Novasep: European CDMO with strong HPAPI manufacturing capabilities and purification technologies serving pharma and biotech customers. Comparable to Cerbios' HPAPI business in terms of containment, customer profile, and integrated small-molecule services.
- BSP Pharmaceuticals: Italian CDMO specializing in HPAPIs and antibody-drug conjugates with containment capabilities and clinical-to-commercial manufacturing. Highly comparable to Cerbios' HPAPI and PROVEO™ ADC offering, serving a similar oncology-focused biotech and pharma customer base.
- Carbogen Amcis (Sartorius): Swiss-based CDMO owned by Sartorius, focused on HPAPI and highly potent drug substance development and manufacturing. Directly comparable to Cerbios' HPAPI franchise in scale, geography, and containment class.
Emerging players
- ChemPartner: Asia-headquartered CRO/CDMO with growing biologics and ADC-related services. Relevant emerging comparator for Cerbios' PROVEO™ ADC CDMO and biologics offerings, with a developing integrated services model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Customer concentration
Cerbios-Pharma social profiles
Digital presenceCerbios-Pharma compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Cerbios-Pharma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cerbios-Pharma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Cerbios-Pharma subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Cerbios-Pharma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cerbios-Pharma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cerbios-Pharma
What does Cerbios-Pharma do?
Cerbios-Pharma is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) providing specialized manufacturing services for chemical and biological active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), high-potency APIs (HPAPIs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), proteins, and pharmaceutical-grade probiotics. Through its PROVEO™ division it delivers fully integrated end-to-end ADC services from cell line development to drug product, while also selling proprietary drug substances (calcipotriol, reduced folates, tiotropium bromide, recombinant urokinase), SF68®-based probiotic products, and Cernivet® animal health products.
Is Cerbios-Pharma a public or private company?
Cerbios-Pharma is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Cerbios-Pharma founded?
Cerbios-Pharma was founded in 1976. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Cerbios-Pharma based?
Cerbios-Pharma is headquartered in Lugano, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Cerbios-Pharma make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. CDMO Contract Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, finished Dosage Forms & Probiotics and animal Health Products.
Who are Cerbios-Pharma's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are WuXi STA, Samsung Biologics, AGC Biologics, Lonza Group and Catalent. Direct peers are Piramal Pharma Solutions, Novasep, BSP Pharmaceuticals and Carbogen Amcis (Sartorius). ChemPartner is listed as an emerging player.
Does Cerbios-Pharma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cerbios-Pharma.
What industry is Cerbios-Pharma in?
Cerbios-Pharma's product category is Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing (CDMO). Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAG, Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO, with a secondary code of HLAGABAC, Biologics (mAbs/Recombinant Proteins) CDMO. Its NAICS code is 325412 and its SIC code is 2834.