Jan Lucht
scienceindustries | Head Biotechnology

Despite global uncertainties and a challenging environment, Swiss exports reached a new record of CHF 287.0 billion (+1.4%) in 2025. While other economic sectors posted declining or only moderate export growth, exports from the chemical, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries continued to advance, growing by CHF 3.3 billion (+2.2%) to reach a new record of CHF 152.1 billion.

These industries have been the largest export sector since 2013 and further expanded their lead in 2025, now accounting for 53% of all Swiss exports. This has resulted in a fundamental shift in the relative weight of different export industries over the last quarter of a century (see Figure 1).

The growth dynamics of these industries provide a solid foundation for the Swiss economy and its export trade. From 2000 to 2025, 72% of the total export growth (CHF 160.4 billion) came from this sector. The sector has remained remarkably resilient in the face of challenges such as the 2009 global economic crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. More than three-quarters of these industries' total exports are life sciences products, including pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, vitamins, flavors, and fragrances. Together, life sciences exports accounted for 41% of total Swiss exports.

A detailed analysis of export figures revealed that the immunologicals subsector, which comprises products of modern biotechnology such as monoclonal antibody therapeutics, vaccines, cell cultures, and cell therapies, had the largest single contribution to Swiss exports and the most dynamic growth. In 2025, goods from this category bolstered Swiss exports by CHF 57.4 billion, which is an increase of CHF 5.49 billion (or 10.6%) compared to the previous year.

In 2000, immunologicals accounted for just CHF 1.9 billion in exports, corresponding to 1.4% of total Swiss exports. This figure steadily increased, reaching 20% of total Swiss exports and nearly half of all life sciences exports by 2025. Immunologicals accounted for 35% of total Swiss export growth over the last twenty-five years (CHF 160.4 billion), underscoring the importance of biotechnology and biomanufacturing for Switzerland.

The talent and tenacity of the industry and its workforce, together with excellent framework conditions, earned the Swiss chemical, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries third place in the Global Industry Competitiveness Index (GICI), which ranks the competitiveness of 40 leading countries in the industry (BAK Economics, 2025). To ensure a global supply and production close to markets, Swiss companies are making significant investments in production facilities abroad. The industry's innovation capacity, global footprint, and strong international network will continue to secure Switzerland's place as a global biotechnology leader.

Swiss Exports by Industry Segment