FISCHER CHEMICALS AG
Fischer Chemicals AG is a Zurich-based, family-owned pharmaceutical distributor and trader founded in 1987, supplying APIs, excipients, intermediates, finished dosage forms, and food ingredients to approximately 400 global pharmaceutical customers across EMEA, Asia, and Latin America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersZurich, Switzerland, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FISCHER CHEMICALS AG does
Fischer Chemicals AG is a Zurich-headquartered, family-owned pharmaceutical distribution and trading company founded in 1987 by Fausto A. Fischer and now led by his son Daniel Fischer (second generation, since 2008). The company operates as an agent and service provider bridging global manufacturers with pharmaceutical customers, distributing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for human and veterinary use, pharmaceutical excipients (including exclusive distribution of Meggle lactose and Chemfields microcrystalline cellulose in Switzerland and Poland), pharmaceutical intermediates, finished dosage forms and registration dossiers (EU CTD technology transfer), and BIO-certified food ingredients. The portfolio spans approximately 2,000 products serving around 400 customers globally, with specialized lines in corticosteroids (notably via Tianjin Jinjin Pharmaceutical), medical cannabinoids (CBD, THC, CBG), dermocosmetics, plant extracts, and pharmaceutical colors.
The company operates a B2B enterprise field-sales model with regional offices in Warsaw, Poland (since 1993) and a China Representative Office in Xiamen operated as a joint venture with Sinoway Industrial since 2006, plus a Latin America sales division. Its technology stack is conventional: SAP R/3 was implemented in 1999 and there are no proprietary AI/ML systems or APIs disclosed. Revenue is generated through transaction-fee distribution with quote-based pricing tied to manufacturer price lists, 30-day payment terms, and no publicly disclosed subscription or recurring component. Marketing is conducted primarily through LinkedIn and multilingual email newsletters. Certifications include ISO 9001:2015, FAMI-QS, and GDP, alongside a Swissmedic wholesale import/export license for medical drugs.
The holding structure is FiGroup Holding AG (founded 2001), which administers Fischer Chemicals AG and Fischer Global Services Ltd., an affiliated logistics subsidiary spun off in 1998 that also serves third parties with sea/air/road transport, customs clearance, dangerous goods handling, and warehousing. The company is private with no external institutional investors or funding rounds disclosed.
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FISCHER CHEMICALS AG
- Legal name
- Fischer Chemicals AG
- Website
- https://fischer-group.ch
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Fischer Chemicals AG is a Zurich-based, family-owned pharmaceutical distributor and trader founded in 1987, supplying APIs, excipients, intermediates, finished dosage forms, and food ingredients to approximately 400 global pharmaceutical customers across EMEA, Asia, and Latin America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Pharmaceutical Distribution
- NAICS
- Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply) (HLAIAJAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAB), Controlled Substances & Compliance-Focused Pharmaceutical Distributors (HLAIAJAN), Food-Grade Chemicals & Processing Aids Trading/Wholesale (AFAIAKAJ)
Keywords
Where FISCHER CHEMICALS AG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zurich, Switzerland
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Distribution and Trading: Company acts as agent on behalf of manufacturers and suppliers. Revenue generated through distribution of pharmaceutical APIs, excipients, intermediates, dosage forms/registration dossiers, and food ingredients worldwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | Quote-based pricing model for B2B pharmaceutical ingredients |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG is a Zurich-based pharmaceutical trading and distribution company that supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical excipients, intermediates, dosage forms with registration dossiers, and food ingredients to business customers worldwide. The company acts as an agent/distributor on behalf of manufacturers, primarily sourcing from producers in China and India and delivering to pharmaceutical and food-industry buyers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Complementary logistics, sourcing, and supply-chain support are delivered through its affiliated Fischer Global Services Ltd.
Product overview
Fischer Chemicals AG is a distributor, trader, and service provider operating a platform-based portfolio of pharmaceutical and food ingredients. The core offering spans five product lines: Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) for human and veterinary use, pharmaceutical Excipients (including Meggle lactose and Chemfield MCC), Pharmaceutical Intermediates (Corey Alcohol, Diazepine, Azetidinone, Furoic Acid), Dosage Forms/Registration Dossiers (EU CTD, technology transfer services), and Food Ingredients (BIO-certified). Supporting services include logistics operations through affiliated Fischer Global Services Ltd. The company handles approximately 2,000 different products serving around 400 customers, with additional specialized product lines in Corticosteroids, Cannabinoids (CBD/THC/CBG), Dermocosmetics, and Plant Extracts.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Distribution and trading of active pharmaceutical ingredients from qualified manufacturers, supplied with regulatory documentation (DMF, CEP) to pharmaceutical formulators worldwide.
- Pharmaceutical Excipients Supply of pharmaceutical excipients used as inactive ingredients in drug formulations, delivered to pharmaceutical manufacturers with quality and regulatory documentation.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediates Trading of chemical intermediates used in API synthesis, supplied to pharmaceutical manufacturers and chemical companies.
- Dosage Forms with Registration Dossiers Supply of finished or semi-finished dosage forms bundled with registration dossiers, enabling pharmaceutical customers to access ready-to-register product presentations.
- Food Ingredients Distribution of specialty food ingredients to food and nutraceutical manufacturers, leveraging the company's cross-border sourcing and documentation capabilities.
- Logistics and Supply-Chain Services Logistics, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and supply-chain support delivered via the affiliated Fischer Global Services Ltd. in Zurich to complement the company's ingredient distribution business.
Companies that use FISCHER CHEMICALS AG
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Azelaic ProductsminorPartner brand for azelaic acid products.
- Excella Pharma SourceminorPartner for pharmaceutical products and services.
- FARMABIOS (FRMB)minorPharmaceutical partner company.
- KraeberminorPartner for pharmaceutical ingredients.
- Meggle PharmacoreExclusive distributor for pharmaceutical lactose products in Switzerland and Poland. Fischer Chemicals represents Meggle for pharmaceutical lactose.
- SiegfriedminorPharmaceutical partner company.
- Düllberg KonzentratminorEssential oils with EU GMP certification. Düllberg produces and refines essential oils for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and chemical industries. Founded over 70 years ago with production sites in Germany, UAE, and Indonesia.
- RA-Chem PharmaminorPharmaceutical partner company.
- Famille MichaudminorPartner for pharmaceutical products.
- DRK Pharma SolutionscorePartner for Generic Product Development including clinical operations, stability studies, regulatory support, and pharmacovigilance. Located in Pakistan.
- Jinjin Pharmaceutical (Tianjin)coreTianjin Jinjin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd is the biggest manufacturer of Hydrocortisone Base and Spironolactone in China and the first Asian source with CEP. Annual output exceeds 60 tons Hydrocortisone base and 70+ tons Spironolactone.
- Chemfields (Cellulose)coreExclusive distributor for MCC (Microcrystalline Cellulose) products in Switzerland and Poland.
- Pfizer Centre OneminorPharmaceutical partner from Pfizer.
- Sinoway IndustrialcoreLong-lasting partnership established in 2006. Joint venture 'Fischer Chemicals Repräsentanz China' formed for China market development.
- Hy-Gro Pharmaceuticals IndiaminorNew partner providing Dextromethorphan HBr with CEP quality, particularly for Latin American clients.
- Remington PharmaceuticalminorPIC/S approved manufacturer for ophthalmic finished dosage forms for Latin American markets. NPRA Malaysia approved for non-sterile products.
- GMP Approved Indian Manufacturer (Oncology)minorNew partner for Oncology APIs - GMP approved Indian manufacturer providing regulatory support including CEPs, DMFs, and technical assistance.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Azelis: Belgian specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor serving pharmaceutical, food, personal care, and industrial markets with manufacturer-principal relationships and technical sales support. Comparable vertical mix and value-added distribution model.
- DKSH Holding: Swiss-based market expansion services group providing distribution and regulatory services for pharmaceutical, consumer, and specialty chemical products across Asia-Pacific and Europe. Directly comparable as a pharma ingredient and finished-dose distributor operating in similar regulatory environments.
- Caldic: Dutch-headquartered distributor of specialty ingredients for the pharmaceutical, food, and personal-care industries with a similar B2B distribution model and regulatory-quality positioning. Comparable as a multi-vertical ingredients distributor serving formulators.
- TER Group: German distributor of specialty chemicals and pharmaceutical ingredients including APIs, excipients, and intermediates with strong representation agreements. Comparable niche pharma ingredients distributor with European base.
- Biesterfeld: German family-owned chemical and pharmaceutical distribution group distributing APIs, excipients, and specialty chemicals across Europe with strong manufacturer-representation agreements. Highly comparable given shared family-owned heritage and European pharma distribution focus.
- Helm AG: German family-owned chemical distribution company marketing intermediates, APIs, and crop protection products worldwide via long-term principal agreements. Comparable family-owned, principal-driven pharma chemicals distributor.
- IMCD: Dutch specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with a global footprint and a similar model of representing principals to formulators across pharma, food, personal care, and industrial end-markets. Comparable in vertical breadth and distribution philosophy.
- Barentz: Dutch-headquartered specialty ingredients distributor for human nutrition, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and animal nutrition with strong principal-representation agreements across Europe and beyond. Directly comparable ingredients distribution franchise.
Broad incumbents
- Brenntag: World's largest chemical distribution company with extensive pharma, food, and specialty ingredient coverage globally. Functions as a broad incumbent with overlapping pharma and food distribution capabilities rather than a niche specialist like Fischer.
- Univar Solutions: Large North American-headquartered global chemical and ingredients distributor with broad pharma, food, and industrial coverage. Overlaps in pharma ingredients distribution but operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography than Fischer.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG social profiles
Digital presenceFISCHER CHEMICALS AG compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG 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 FISCHER CHEMICALS AG
What does FISCHER CHEMICALS AG do?
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG is a Zurich-based pharmaceutical trading and distribution company that supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharmaceutical excipients, intermediates, dosage forms with registration dossiers, and food ingredients to business customers worldwide. The company acts as an agent/distributor on behalf of manufacturers, primarily sourcing from producers in China and India and delivering to pharmaceutical and food-industry buyers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Complementary logistics, sourcing, and supply-chain support are delivered through its affiliated Fischer Global Services Ltd.
Is FISCHER CHEMICALS AG a public or private company?
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was FISCHER CHEMICALS AG founded?
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FISCHER CHEMICALS AG based?
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does FISCHER CHEMICALS AG make money?
One revenue line is on record: product Distribution and Trading.
Who are FISCHER CHEMICALS AG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Azelis, DKSH Holding, Caldic, TER Group, Biesterfeld, Helm AG, IMCD and Barentz. Broad incumbents are Brenntag and Univar Solutions.
Does FISCHER CHEMICALS AG have an API?
No public API is recorded for FISCHER CHEMICALS AG.
What industry is FISCHER CHEMICALS AG in?
FISCHER CHEMICALS AG's product category is Pharmaceutical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAIAJAO, Compounding Ingredient & API Distributors (Pharma Supply), with a secondary code of HLAIAJAB, Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors. Its NAICS code is 4246 and its SIC code is 5160.