Bachem Holding

Bachem Holding AG is a Swiss biotechnology and pharmaceutical-ingredient manufacturer focused on peptides and other complex organic molecules used in medicines. The company supplies active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), research materials, process-development capabilities, and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Its activities cover the progression of peptide products from early research and clinical development through commercial-scale production, giving Bachem a role as both a specialist supplier and a manufacturing partner rather than primarily a consumer-facing drug brand. Founded in 1971, Bachem is headquartered in Bubendorf in the canton of Basel-Landschaft. Its manufacturing network includes facilities in Vionnaz, Switzerland; Vista and Torrance in the United States; and St Helens in the United Kingdom. The company also maintains a sales and distribution location in Tokyo. This geographic footprint supports supply to international pharmaceutical and biotechnology markets and gives the business production and commercial presence in Europe, North America, and Asia. The company is particularly associated with peptide APIs, including products requiring specialized chemical synthesis, purification, analytical control, and compliance with pharmaceutical manufacturing standards. Its offering includes custom peptide synthesis, process development, scale-up, and good manufacturing practice (GMP) production. Bachem also works with complex organic molecules and has pursued capabilities relevant to glycosylated proteins and peptides. These activities place it at the intersection of specialty chemicals, contract development and manufacturing, and biopharmaceutical supply. Bachem expanded its position in the United States through the 2015 acquisition of American Peptide, a biotechnology company based in Sunnyvale, California. It also entered a cooperation agreement with GlyTech Inc. in 2013 concerning the production of glycosylated proteins and peptides. In the 2020s, the company announced and began construction of additional large-scale peptide manufacturing capacity in Switzerland and the United States, reflecting increased demand for peptide-based medicines and the need for greater commercial-scale production capacity. Bachem is described as one of the largest global manufacturers of peptide APIs. Its customers include pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies developing or commercializing peptide-based therapies. The company's competitive proposition rests on technical expertise, manufacturing scale, regulatory and quality capabilities, and the ability to support customers across multiple stages of a product's lifecycle. At the end of 2025, Bachem reported 2,511 employees, revenue of CHF 695.1 million, and net income of CHF 148.8 million. These figures are historical year-end results and should not be treated as current guidance or real-time financial condition.

Bachem Holding traces its origins to 1971, when the company began building a specialized position around peptides and complex organic molecules. Rather than developing a broad portfolio of finished prescription medicines under its own consumer brand, Bachem developed as a business-to-business supplier to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Its work has centered on the chemistry, process development, manufacture, and quality control required to turn peptide compounds into reliable pharmaceutical ingredients. Over time, peptide chemistry became the defining area of the company. Peptides occupy a position between conventional small-molecule medicines and larger biological products: they can require demanding synthesis and purification methods, while pharmaceutical applications also require stringent analytical, quality, and regulatory controls. Bachem's capabilities therefore span research quantities, development batches, clinical-supply manufacturing, and larger-scale commercial production. This lifecycle model allows customers to use the company at different stages of a medicine's development. In 2013, Bachem entered into a cooperation agreement with GlyTech Inc. concerning the production of glycosylated proteins and peptides. The collaboration reflected an effort to address more complex peptide and protein-related molecules, extending beyond routine peptide synthesis. In 2015, Bachem acquired American Peptide, a biotechnology company in Sunnyvale, California. The acquisition strengthened the company's North American presence and added to its peptide-related capabilities. Bachem's manufacturing and commercial network subsequently developed across several regions. Its headquarters remained in Bubendorf, Switzerland, while production facilities operated in Vionnaz in Switzerland, Vista and Torrance in the United States, and St Helens in the United Kingdom. A sales and distribution site in Tokyo supported access to the Japanese and wider Asian markets. The network enabled Bachem to serve international customers while maintaining specialized production sites for different manufacturing requirements. During the 2020s, Bachem announced and began construction of additional large-scale peptide manufacturing capacity in Bubendorf and in the United States. These investments were connected with the growing pharmaceutical importance of peptide-based therapies and the need to support larger commercial volumes. Capacity expansion also represented a strategic shift from being primarily a specialist development and supply organization toward operating an increasingly substantial global manufacturing platform. Bachem is recognized as one of the larger global manufacturers of peptide-based APIs. Its customers use Bachem products and services in clinical development and commercial therapies, although the company generally operates behind the brands of pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Its business is consequently assessed through technical execution, manufacturing reliability, regulatory compliance, capacity, and long-term customer relationships rather than through direct consumer awareness. The company is a subsidiary of Ingro Finanz AG and is publicly listed under the ticker BANB. At the end of 2025, it reported 2,511 employees, revenue of CHF 695.1 million, and net income of CHF 148.8 million. These results illustrate the scale reached by the company, but they are tied specifically to the 2025 reporting period. Bachem remains active as an international peptide and complex-organic-molecule manufacturer serving the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.

• 2025

  Reported year-end operating scale

  [1]Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org

  At year-end, Bachem reports 2,511 employees, CHF 695.1 million in revenue, and CHF 148.8 million in net income.

• 2020

  Large-scale capacity expansion begins

  [1]Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org

  Bachem announces and begins developing additional large-scale peptide manufacturing capacity in Bubendorf and the United States.

• 2015

  American Peptide acquisition

  [1]Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org

  Bachem acquires American Peptide, expanding its peptide capabilities and presence in the United States.

• 2013

  Cooperation with GlyTech

  [1]Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org

  Bachem enters an agreement with GlyTech Inc. covering cooperation in the production of glycosylated proteins and peptides.

• 1971

  Bachem is founded

  [1]Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org

  Bachem begins operations as a Swiss specialist focused on peptides and complex organic molecules for pharmaceutical applications.

A global specialist supplier and manufacturing partner for peptide APIs and complex organic molecules, serving pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies from development through commercial production.

• Pharmaceutical ingredients

  Peptide active pharmaceutical ingredients

  Bachem manufactures peptide APIs used by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in clinical-stage and commercial medicines. The work includes chemical synthesis, purification, analytical testing, process control, and production under pharmaceutical quality requirements. Bachem's role is generally as an ingredient and manufacturing supplier rather than as the consumer-facing owner of finished drug brands.

• Contract development and manufacturing

  Custom peptide synthesis

  Custom peptide synthesis supports customers that need a specific peptide designed, produced, characterized, or scaled for research, development, clinical supply, or commercial use. The service can involve route and process development, batch production, purification, and analytical support. It is central to Bachem's business-to-business model and helps connect early development work with later GMP manufacturing.

• Good manufacturing practice production

  GMP peptide production

  Bachem provides peptide manufacturing intended to meet good manufacturing practice requirements for pharmaceutical supply. GMP production requires controlled processes, documented quality systems, validated analytical methods, and traceability across manufacturing and testing. The offering is relevant to clinical-trial materials and commercial APIs for peptide-based therapies.

• Specialty pharmaceutical chemicals

  Complex organic molecules

  In addition to peptides, Bachem works with complex organic molecules used as pharmaceutical ingredients or development materials. These projects require specialized synthesis and purification capabilities and can be supported through development, scale-up, and manufacturing services. The category reflects the company's broader chemistry platform beyond individual peptide products.

• 2020

  Expansion of large-scale peptide manufacturingStrategy

  Background

  Growing pharmaceutical use of peptide-based therapies increased the need for larger and more geographically diversified production capacity.

  Action taken

  Bachem announced and began construction of additional large-scale production facilities in Bubendorf, Switzerland, and the United States.

  Aftermath

  The projects increased Bachem's planned manufacturing platform, although the available reference does not provide detailed completion dates, capacity figures, or investment amounts.

  Source

• 2015

  Acquisition of American PeptideM&A

  Background

  Bachem pursued greater peptide capability and a stronger operating presence in the United States.

  Action taken

  Bachem acquired American Peptide, a biotechnology company based in Sunnyvale, California.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition strengthened Bachem's North American footprint and added to its peptide-oriented platform.

  Source

• 2013

  Cooperation on glycosylated proteins and peptidesOther

  Background

  Bachem sought to extend its capabilities in complex peptide and protein-related manufacturing.

  Action taken

  The company entered a cooperation agreement with GlyTech Inc. covering production of glycosylated proteins and peptides.

  Aftermath

  The agreement broadened the scope of Bachem's publicly described collaboration activity in complex biomolecule production; further quantified outcomes are not specified in the available reference material.

  Source

1. 1Bachem Holdingen.wikipedia.org