Linnea
Linnea SA is a Swiss GMP-certified manufacturer of standardized botanical active pharmaceutical ingredients, including cannabinoid APIs (CBD, CBG, THC) and legacy extracts, supplying 300+ pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers across 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersLavertezzo, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Linnea does
Linnea SA is a Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of botanical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) serving the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. Founded in 1982 in Riazzino, Ticino, the company produces standardized botanical extracts, isolates, and dilutions across a portfolio of nine branded ingredients: Butylscopolamine, Red Clover, Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC, and combinations), HMRlignan, Vinpocetine, Vincamine, 5 HTP, Bilberry, and Ginkgo Biloba. Its GMP-certified Swiss facility has operated continuously since the mid-1990s, and Linnea was the first company worldwide to receive a Swissmedic GMP certificate for a Cannabis sativa extract (2016) and the first to receive CEP certifications for both Vincamine (2024) and Cannabidiol Isolate (March 2026). The company reaches 300+ customers across more than 50 countries through direct enterprise sales, a dedicated cannabinoid website (linneacannabinoids.ch), and regular participation in major pharmaceutical and cannabis industry events (CPHI Worldwide, CPHI South-East Asia, GA International Congress, PharmaConex, WHX Dubai, Cannabis Europa).
The company's technical foundation rests on CO2 supercritical extraction, specialized distillation, and proprietary delivery systems. Key technical assets include a newly installed industrial-scale THC distillation unit producing natural THC above 90% purity, a patented niosome-based CBD cosmetic delivery system (NioSkin, 1% and 5% CBD), vertically integrated GACP-certified Duboisia cultivation in Australia since 1985 supplying Butylscopolamine raw material, and patented CBG:CBD compositions for gastrointestinal health granted by the Italian Patent and Trademark Office. Active R&D collaborations with the University of Milan and University of Padua have produced peer-reviewed science and the first-ever isolation of Cannabizetol (CBGD), a previously unknown minor cannabinoid from Cannabis sativa.
The business model is exclusively B2B: Linnea sells pharmaceutical-grade ingredients directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers, clinical trial sponsors, pharmacy compounders, nutraceutical/dietary supplement producers, and cosmetic brands. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, determined by volume, specification requirements, and the relevant regulatory certifications (GMP, CEP, EDQM). Distribution is direct, with no intermediary resellers; customers submit inquiries through the company website and are supported by a dedicated Sales & Product Information team. Following the March 2025 primary buyout by Vivalto Partners (a French healthcare-focused private equity firm), Linnea is positioned to accelerate commercial investment in its expanding cannabinoid API portfolio (THC, CBG, combinations) under PE ownership. A biogas plant on site produces approximately 1,300,000 kW of electricity and 600,000 kW of heat annually, supporting both cost efficiency and the EcoVadis Gold sustainability rating (83/100, March 2026).
Linnea firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Linnea
- Legal name
- Linnea SA
- Website
- https://linnea.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1982
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Linnea SA is a Swiss GMP-certified manufacturer of standardized botanical active pharmaceutical ingredients, including cannabinoid APIs (CBD, CBG, THC) and legacy extracts, supplying 300+ pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers across 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Linnea industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Botanical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients
- NAICS
- Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)
- SIC
- Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts) (AFAJAKAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Flavonoids, CoQ10, Resveratrol) (AFAJAKAI), Condition-Specific Bioactives (Glucosamine/Chondroitin, Plant Sterols, Melatonin, Lutein/Zeaxanthin) (AFAJAKAK), Bio-based Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals & Specialty Bioactives (EUAAAIAK)
Keywords
Where Linnea is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lavertezzo
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Linnea business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Botanical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Linnea manufactures and sells premium botanical active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) including Vinpocetine, Vincamine, Butylscopolamine, Ginkgo Biloba, 5 HTP, Bilberry, Red Clover, HMRlignan, and Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC) to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers worldwide. Revenue is generated through direct B2B sales of standardized botanical extracts, isolates, and dilutions at GMP-certified quality. The company serves over 300 clients across 50+ countries through direct sales channels.
- Cannabinoid APIs (CBD, CBG, THC): Linnea produces and sells pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid ingredients including CBD standardized extracts, pure isolates, CBG extracts, THC extracts, THC:CBD combinations, and CBD:CBG combinations for pharmaceutical magistral preparations, clinical trials, and cosmetic applications. Products are available with Drug Master Files for regulatory submissions and CEP certifications for European Pharmacopoeia compliance.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Sales (NioSkin): Linnea produces and sells the NioSkin line of cosmetic ingredients using niosome-based CBD delivery systems at 1% and 5% strengths. These are supplied to cosmetic manufacturers and brands as B2B active ingredient solutions.
- Nutritional/Dietary Ingredient Sales: Linnea supplies standardized botanical ingredients to nutritional supplement and food product manufacturers, including Red Clover isoflavones, HMRlignan, Bilberry anthocyanins, Ginkgo Biloba, and 5 HTP for dietary supplement formulations. Ingredients comply with food supplement standards and applicable destination country regulations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B pharmaceutical ingredient sales - pricing by inquiry only |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Linnea product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Linnea manufactures and sells standardized botanical isolates, extracts, and dilutions as GMP-certified active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers worldwide. The portfolio includes nine core branded ingredients: Butylscopolamine, Red Clover, Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC and combinations), HMRlignan, Vinpocetine, Vincamine, 5 HTP, Bilberry, and Ginkgo Biloba. Products are produced at a Swissmedic GMP-certified facility in Riazzino, Switzerland, with vertically integrated GACP-certified Duboisia cultivation in Australia.
Product overview
Linnea manufactures standardized botanical isolates, extracts, and dilutions for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. The portfolio includes 9 core branded ingredients: Linnea® Butylscopolamine (anti-spasmodic), Linnea® Red Clover (isoflavone extract), Linnea® Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC compounds), LINNEA® HMRlignan® (lignan extract), Linnea® Vinpocetine, Linnea® Vincamine, Linnea® 5 HTP, Linnea Bilberry, and Linnea® Ginkgo Biloba. All products are produced in GMP-certified facilities in Switzerland with GACP-compliant sourcing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Linnea® Cannabinoids: Specialized division focusing on pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid ingredients including CBD, CBG, THC extracts and combinations for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic applications.
- NioSkin®
- Linnea® Plantations
- Hyject™
- Vinject™
Quantifiable outcome
- Batch-to-batch consistency guaranteed through fully validated manufacturing processes
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Linnea
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Linnea technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Linnea partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of MilancoreLinnea collaborated with the University of Milan (Pharmacognosy team led by Prof. Mario Dell'Agli) on multiple research projects: (1) the isolation of the novel cannabinoid Cannabizetol (CBGD) from Cannabis sativa extracts, confirmed through synthetic chemistry; (2) anti-inflammatory potential of CBD-rich extracts in psoriasis models; (3) cannabis phytocomplex skin inflammation research; and (4) efficacy of Cannabis sativa L. standardized extracts in intestinal inflammation models.
- University of PaduacoreLinnea collaborated with the University of Padua on research published in Pharmaceutics (May 2025) exploring the synthesis of self-assembling drug conjugates using CBG (cannabigerol) as a self-assembly nanoparticle inducer for cancer nanomedicine applications. Linnea provided high-purity CBG used in the study, which showed promising antiproliferative effects against cancer cells.
- Institut Agricole Régional (IAR)minorLinnea is the Swiss frontrunner partner in the AGRIHEALTH project, led by the Institut Agricole Régional in Italy. The project focuses on valorizing agro-food waste and mother liquors to promote sustainability in production chains. Funded by the Interreg VI-A Italia-Svizzera 2021-2027 program, it focuses on sustainable extraction methods, circular economy, and reducing waste in the agro-food and pharmaceutical industries.
- Relm InsuranceminorLinnea was featured in a Risk Briefing published by Relm in partnership with Prohibition Partners, examining insurance challenges and solutions in the legal cannabis industry. Linnea was one of the cannabis operators interviewed about how meeting underwriting requirements (EU-GMP certifications, governance practices) drives operational maturity. This collaboration positions Linnea as a best-practice example for insurance and regulatory compliance in the cannabinoid sector.
- Prohibition PartnersminorProhibition Partners published a Risk Briefing on the legal cannabis industry in partnership with Relm, featuring interviews with Linnea and other operators (Glass Pharms, SOMAÍ Pharmaceuticals, PHCANN International). The report examines how insurance signals maturity in the cannabis sector and highlights Linnea's pharma-driven approach and EU-GMP certifications as industry best practices.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Linnea competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Naturex (Givaudan Natural Ingredients): French botanical extracts company (acquired by Givaudan) producing standardized plant extracts for nutraceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. Overlapping with Linnea on ingredient portfolio but at much larger scale and broader customer base.
- Siegfried Holding: Swiss-listed pharmaceutical API manufacturer with global GMP sites. Comparable on Swiss manufacturing scale, regulatory-first positioning, and pharmaceutical ingredient B2B model, though broader (synthetic APIs) and not specialized in botanicals.
- Dottikon ES Holding: Swiss specialty pharmaceutical API manufacturer offering hazardous chemistry APIs. Comparable on Swiss manufacturing, regulatory compliance focus, and pharmaceutical B2B positioning, though focused on chemistry rather than botanicals.
Direct peers
- Indena: Italian-headquartered global leader in botanical extracts and APIs for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications. Most direct comparable to Linnea across standardized botanical ingredient portfolio (ginkgo, vinpocetine, vincamine equivalents) and B2B ingredient sales model with GMP/CEP positioning.
- Finzelberg: German pharma-grade botanical extracts manufacturer (part of Nature Network/ERGOSUP supply). Comparable to Linnea's linnea standardized extracts, GMP manufacturing, and pharmaceutical ingredient focus.
- Martin Bauer Group: German-headquartered family-owned manufacturer of botanical extracts, tea, and plant-based ingredients for pharma, nutraceutical, and beverage industries. Direct peer in standardized herbal extracts serving similar ingredient customer base with quality certifications.
Emerging players
- Mile High Labs: US-based large-scale cannabinoid ingredient manufacturer producing CBD and THC distillates, isolates, and APIs. Direct overlap with Linnea's cannabinoid portfolio for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical customers, though primarily serving North American market.
- PureForm Global: CBD/cannabinoid ingredient manufacturer producing isolated, broad-spectrum, and distillate cannabinoid ingredients. Comparable product offering (purified cannabinoid APIs) to Linnea's Linnea® Cannabinoids line, with overlap in nutraceutical and personal care customers.
Regional players
- Euroma (Euroma Holding) / Alvinesa: European supplier of botanical extracts and natural colorants (anthocyanins from grape, etc.) comparable to Linnea on extract manufacturing and nutraceutical customer base, with overlapping ingredient categories (bilberry, anthocyanin products).
Others
- Eurofins Cannabis Testing: Global testing/certification services provider active in cannabinoid analytical testing. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but relevant to Linnea's regulatory/quality positioning and serves similar pharmaceutical-cannabis customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Linnea social profiles
Digital presenceLinnea compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance16 records
Linnea financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Linnea leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Linnea funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Linnea 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 Linnea
What does Linnea do?
Linnea manufactures and sells standardized botanical isolates, extracts, and dilutions as GMP-certified active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) to pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic manufacturers worldwide. The portfolio includes nine core branded ingredients: Butylscopolamine, Red Clover, Cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, THC and combinations), HMRlignan, Vinpocetine, Vincamine, 5 HTP, Bilberry, and Ginkgo Biloba. Products are produced at a Swissmedic GMP-certified facility in Riazzino, Switzerland, with vertically integrated GACP-certified Duboisia cultivation in Australia.
Is Linnea a public or private company?
Linnea is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Linnea founded?
Linnea was founded in 1982. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Linnea based?
Linnea is headquartered in Lavertezzo, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Linnea make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Botanical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is the primary driver. The others are cannabinoid APIs (CBD, CBG, THC), cosmetic Ingredient Sales (NioSkin) and nutritional/Dietary Ingredient Sales.
Who are Linnea's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Naturex (Givaudan Natural Ingredients), Siegfried Holding and Dottikon ES Holding. Direct peers are Indena, Finzelberg and Martin Bauer Group. Emerging players are Mile High Labs and PureForm Global. Euroma (Euroma Holding) / Alvinesa is listed as a regional player. Eurofins Cannabis Testing is listed as an others.
Does Linnea have an API?
No public API is recorded for Linnea.
What industry is Linnea in?
Linnea's product category is Botanical Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAJAKAD, Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts), with a secondary code of AFAJAKAI, Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Carotenoids, Tocopherols, Flavonoids, CoQ10, Resveratrol). Its NAICS code is 325411 and its SIC code is 2833.