(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Swiss pharmaceutical companies are planning massive investments in research and manufacturing in the United States as part of a deal to secure lower tariffs. But this isn't the only force fuelling anxiety about the future of Switzerland's pharma dominance. This content was published on November 18, 2025 - 14:30 9 minutes

I report on the Swiss pharmaceutical industry and healthcare topics such as access to medicine, biomedical innovation, and the impact of diseases like cancer. I grew up just outside San Francisco and studied international affairs with a focus on development economics and healthcare policy. Prior to joining SWI swissinfo in 2018, I was a freelance journalist and a researcher on business and human rights.

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I write original and in-depth data-driven articles using my skills in data analysis and visualisation. I cover a wide array of topics, among which are Switzerland's place in global trade, climate change and demographics. Born and raised in France, I studied international relations in Lyon, then graduated from Lille journalism school in 2011. I have been living in Switzerland since 2012 and worked at RTS for eight years before joining SWI swissinfo in 2020.

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The Swiss pharmaceutical sector had reason to celebrate on Friday when the government announced a trade deal with the US that brings tariffs from 39% to 15%. The deal also excludes medicine from tariffs for the time being.

The tariff rate on pharmaceutical goods will also be capped at 15% if Trump seeks to impose levies on additional sectors. This is much lower than the 200% on branded drugs US President Trump had threatened over the summer.

Novartis, Roche plan US moves

The tariff deal, which isn't finalised yet, came about thanks in large part to huge investment pledges by Swiss pharmaceutical giants Roche and Novartis. These amount to a combined $73 billion (CHF58 billion) over the next five years with the aim to produce all key drugs for US patients on US soil.

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