Linnea

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).

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

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

• Botanical active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Pharmaceutical-grade plant extracts
• Cannabinoid APIs manufacturing
• GMP-certified nutraceutical ingredients
• Standardized botanical isolates

Headquarters

HQ city

Lavertezzo

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of MilancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2025Linnea 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 PaduacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2025Linnea 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)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2025Linnea 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 InsuranceminorOthersLinnea 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 PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProhibition 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

Broad 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/linnea-sa

Compliance16 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Linnea