APR Applied Pharma Research

In 1990, in the southern, Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, a company called APR Applied Pharma Research was founded. The playbook was simple but powerful: take existing, known molecules and re-engineer them with innovative drug delivery systems. This approach focused on creating value by developing patient-centric products that addressed unmet needs, particularly in the realm of rare diseases. The company wasn't just a research outfit; it was built to develop, research, and license its healthcare solutions, providing services to the broader healthcare industry. The company’s journey involved building a portfolio of revenue-generating products marketed across the globe. Led by CEO Paolo Galfetti, who joined in 1995, APR developed and commercialized products for niche therapeutic areas, eventually distributing them in more than 70 countries. Their business model included developing products and then licensing them out, forming partnerships with pharmaceutical companies worldwide. A pivotal moment arrived in June 2021 when APR was acquired by Relief Therapeutics. This transaction marked a significant step, transforming Relief into a fully integrated commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company. APR's shareholders received CHF 21.5 million in cash and CHF 45 million in Relief shares, with potential for future milestone payments. For APR, this deal represented an opportunity to accelerate the development of its product pipeline within a larger, synergistic organization.