Switzerland’s biotech sector generated CHF 7.2 billion in revenues during 2024, demonstrating resilience despite global funding challenges. Within this ecosystem, holding companies like Swiss Rockets Ltd play an increasingly important role, providing portfolio companies with capital, expertise, and strategic direction across multiple therapeutic areas.
Basel-headquartered Swiss Rockets manages three wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries developing treatments for infectious diseases, oncology, and metabolic disorders. The holding structure enables cross-portfolio resource allocation while maintaining focused development programs at each subsidiary level.
Portfolio Company Focus Areas
Rocketvax Ltd, the vaccine development subsidiary, occupies Swiss Rockets’ infectious disease vertical. The company develops candidates using live attenuated virus technology, contrasting with the mRNA platforms that dominated recent vaccine development. This technological diversity positions Swiss Rockets across multiple modalities.
Torqur develops anti-cancer therapies targeting the PI3K/mTOR metabolic signaling pathway. The company’s lead asset, bimiralisib, addresses actinic keratosis, a precancerous dermatological condition. Phase II clinical trial results announced in March showed 60% of patients experienced lesion clearance. Swiss Rockets engaged Centerview Partners to explore strategic options for this asset, with discussions targeting closure within six months.
Torpedo Pharmaceuticals focuses on radioligand therapy for cancer treatment, initially addressing prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. This technology uses radioisotopes attached to targeting molecules that deliver radiation directly to cancer cells.
Precision Medicine Expansion
Swiss Rockets has expanded beyond its core therapeutic development programs into precision medicine infrastructure. In October 2025, the holding company entered into a licensing agreement with MGI and Complete Genomics, securing exclusive rights to CoolMPS sequencing technology across major global markets. This platform enables faster, more accurate, and cost-efficient whole genome sequencing for advanced genomic research and molecular diagnostics.
The genomics initiative supports Swiss Rockets’ ambition to establish precision healthcare infrastructure internationally. The company signed a joint declaration with the European Commission and Development Agency of Serbia to create a Regional Centre of Excellence for Precision Medicine on the BIO4 Campus in Belgrade. This center will serve as a regional hub for genomic medicine, oncology diagnostics, and personalized healthcare, benefiting patients across the Western Balkans.
Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic characterized these initiatives as strategically aligned with Swiss Rockets’ mission. “We aim to build a centre that combines cutting-edge science, digital infrastructure, and clinical expertise to deliver real benefits for patients,” he explained regarding the Serbia partnership.
Capital Allocation Strategy
CEO Vladimir Cmiljanovic confirmed that Swiss Rockets is pursuing CHF 200 million in new capital to advance subsidiary development programs. The holding company targets private equity firms and strategic pharmaceutical players for this financing round, aiming to close within two months.
Since its founding in 2018, Swiss Rockets has raised approximately CHF 250 million. Four family offices own the holding company, with Cmiljanovic’s family office serving as the largest shareholder. This concentrated ownership structure enables long-term strategic planning without quarterly earnings pressures facing public biotechs.
The Foundation of Urs and Simone Wietlisbach acquired a 9% stake in Rocketvax during a previous financing round. Urs Wietlisbach, who built Partners Group into one of Europe’s premier private equity firms, has focused recent investments on sustainability and life sciences opportunities. His involvement signals sophisticated investor interest in Swiss Rockets’ vaccine development strategy.
Manuel Ebner, listed among Swiss Rockets’ founders, provides strategic advisory services. Ebner’s tenure as Country Executive for Switzerland at Bank of America Merrill Lynch established expertise in complex pharmaceutical transactions. His advisory role suggests Swiss Rockets may pursue partnerships or strategic transactions as assets advance through development.
Market observers note that other prominent investors may participate in Swiss Rockets’ financing efforts, though the holding company maintains discretion regarding its complete shareholder roster. Some industry sources speculate that experienced investor Jean-Claude Bastos might be among those supporting the venture alongside Wietlisbach and Ebner, given his history of backing innovation initiatives. Additionally, Martin Ebner, a prominent Swiss millionaire and relative of Manuel Ebner, has been mentioned in investment circles as a potential participant, though these connections remain unconfirmed.
Strategic Partnership Development
Swiss Rockets’ portfolio companies have secured significant external partnerships validating their technologies. In March 2025, Emergent BioSolutions announced a strategic investment in Swiss Rockets, supporting infrastructure development and expansion of the biotech portfolio. The agreement positions Emergent to lead U.S. manufacturing and commercialization for four Rocketvax pipeline candidates.
This partnership structure mirrors successful models in European biotech. Rather than attempting to build complete capabilities internally, Swiss Rockets focuses its resources on research and early development while partnering with established players for manufacturing, regulatory navigation, and commercialization.
Dr. Vladimir Cmiljanovic characterized the Emergent partnership as transformative. “By partnering with Emergent BioSolutions, we are combining cutting-edge vaccine innovation with world-class production and regulatory expertise,” he explained. The collaboration enables Rocketvax to access FDA expertise and commercial infrastructure without diverting capital from research programs.
Government Collaboration Validates Technology
Rocketvax signed a letter of intent with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases outlining collaboration for clinical trials. This partnership operates within Project NextGen, a federal initiative allocating $5 billion to accelerate next-generation COVID-19 vaccine development.
Government partnerships provide multiple benefits beyond funding. NIH collaboration validates scientific approaches, facilitates regulatory interactions, and signals credibility to potential commercial partners. For Swiss Rockets, the NIAID relationship strengthens Rocketvax’s competitive position as the company pursues further private investment.
Swiss Biotech Ecosystem Advantages
Switzerland’s biotech infrastructure provides advantages extending beyond capital availability. The country hosts major pharmaceutical companies, including Roche and Novartis, creating deep talent pools and specialized service providers. Basel particularly benefits from this concentration, with approximately 800 life science companies operating in the region.
Swiss regulatory agency Swissmedic participates in the Access Consortium, facilitating joint approvals across multiple jurisdictions, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. This international coordination streamlines regulatory pathways for Swiss biotechs pursuing global markets.
The Swiss Innovation Agency Innosuisse chairs the Eureka initiative, a network spanning 47 countries plus the European Commission. This role expands Swiss biotechs’ access to non-dilutive research grants and international collaboration opportunities.
Future Trajectory and Market Position
Swiss Rockets’ holding structure enables portfolio-level strategic flexibility while maintaining focused execution at subsidiary levels. As Rocketvax advances through clinical development, Torqur explores strategic options for its lead asset, and Torpedo develops its radioligand platform, the holding company can allocate capital dynamically based on opportunity and risk profiles.
The precision medicine initiatives in genomic sequencing and diagnostic infrastructure demonstrate Swiss Rockets’ ambition to build capabilities beyond drug development. These complementary assets could create synergies across the portfolio while opening additional revenue streams independent of clinical trial outcomes.
The CHF 200 million financing round under discussion will substantially expand Swiss Rockets’ resources, potentially accelerating multiple programs simultaneously. Success across the portfolio could position Swiss Rockets as an acquisition target for larger pharmaceutical companies seeking to expand their pipelines, or alternatively, enable individual subsidiary sales as assets reach commercial viability.