50 Years of AstraZeneca in Switzerland

The story of AstraZeneca in Switzerland is one of growth and transformation. It begins with the predecessor companies: ICI-Pharma operated out of Lucerne from 1976, Astra established its Swiss presence in Dietikon in 1981, and in 1992 Zeneca emerged in Lucerne as the successor to ICI- Pharma. The decisive milestone was the merger of Astra and Zeneca in 1999, which gave rise to AstraZeneca and saw the company relocate its headquarters to the Canton of Zug – strategically located between the former sites of Lucerne and Zurich. Since 2018, the company has been based in Baar.

From Pioneering Therapies to Broad-Based Innovation

The company's journey has been shaped by medical breakthroughs that redefined treatment standards – from gastroenterology to respiratory and cardiovascular medicine and on to modern oncology. With its entry into oncology from 2015 and the acquisition of Alexion in 2021, AstraZeneca consistently expanded its expertise – right through to rare diseases. In this way, the company evolved from a provider of pioneering individual therapies into a broadly positioned innovation partner within the Swiss healthcare system.

"This anniversary is a tribute to the people who have built and shaped AstraZeneca in Switzerland over five decades – our employees, our partners in the healthcare sector and, above all, the patients we serve," says Florian Saur, Managing Director of AstraZeneca Switzerland. "We are proud of the medical milestones we have achieved. With more than 40 new therapies expected in the coming years, we plan to further expand our contribution to improving healthcare in Switzerland."

Strong Today, Committed to the Future

Today, around 180 employees work for AstraZeneca Switzerland; together with the regional and global teams as well as the subsidiaries Alexion and Evinova, more than 400 people are based at the Baar site. The company has been recognised as a "Great Place to Work" for the seventh time in a row and is actively committed to an inclusive and respectful working environment. Currently, more than 275,000 people in Switzerland are treated with an AstraZeneca medicine. The anniversary underscores the company's commitment to Switzerland as a location for research and business, and to its mission of making a positive contribution to society and to the lives of patients through scientific innovation.

The anniversary was celebrated on Lake Zug – together with employees, former colleagues and guests from business and industry associations. An evening dedicated to the people who have made AstraZeneca Switzerland what it is today.

Media contact:
Tel. +41 (0) 41 725 75 75; media.switzerland@astrazeneca.com
Barbara Hess, Corporate Communications Lead, AstraZeneca Switzerland