Swiss biotech report
06/04/2004. By the end of 2003 the Swiss biotech industry consisted of 227 companies. When viewed in relation to the size of its population, this means that Switzerland has the highest biotech density in the world, according to Ernst & Young.

Q4 2003: Private equity survey - Austria, Germany and Switzerland
28/01/2004. The German-speaking private equity market is displaying positive signals for 2004, according to the Q4 2003 Private Equity Survey conducted by Deloitte & Touche. But the overall confidence indicated by the majority of private equity managers has not extended to more optimistic fundraising expectations.

Problems associated with the management rights of venture capital investors
04/06/2003. A US pension scheme investing in a private equity fund, which in turn is investing in a Swiss target company, is able to avoid the stringent administrative and fiduciary obligations imposed by the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act if it is entitled to ‘substantive management rights'. Beat Barthold of Swiss law firm Froriep Renggli discusses the complex legal implications of adopting such a strategy under Swiss law and points out the legal hurdles associated with the enforcement of management rights in Switzerland.

A risk adverse Q1 for Swiss venture capital
13/05/2002. The Swiss market has proved to be conservative, turning its back on early-stage investment, according to news and research firm, Swiss Venture Update. It recorded 11 venture capital deals in the first quarter of 2002, raising CHF129m of which only two were seed capital investments. The rate of investment remained consistent with the levels of last year, in which 12 deals were completed a quarter worth just over CHF100m

Private equity overview 2000
11/10/2001. The year 2000 saw a marked change in Swiss investment patterns from venture capital to buy-out capital. In 1999, two thirds of the total funds raised were for venture capital. In 2000, the emphasis shifted to buy-out capital, with half of new capital raised allocated to buy-outs.

Alternative festival
05/10/2001. Regulations introduced last year opened up new investment opportunities for Swiss pension schemes wishing to invest in alternative assets. Activity is limited at the moment however, the future should see increasing exposure among pension funds to alternative investments, according to this article from Investment & Pensions Europe.