CIS PHARMA AG
Switzerland
Company
Switzerland
Incorporated in 1952, CIS Pharma is a Swiss Life Sciences company pioneering new therapies ophthalmology and eyecare. We synthesize novel molecules, design new biomaterials and create innovative medical devices to improve patient’s lives.
CIS Pharma’s laboratories are in the Life science cluster of Basel, Switzerland, one of the world's most thriving pharma and biotech areas. Our technologies are licensed to our partners, market leaders in their category around the world.
Our mission is to transform the lives of patients in need, creating therapies that improve efficacy, enhance safety, and simplify every day’s life.
We address unmet medical needs in ophthalmology, eye care and in cataract surgery.
The innovation reflects our dedication to science and human values.
CIS Pharma has grown from a research-driven Swiss laboratory into a global technology leader in ophthalmology. What began as a small team dedicated to specialty chemistry has evolved into an international innovation partner for the pharmaceutical and medtech industry.
Continuous research and strategic collaborations were the foundation of our legacy, progressing standard-of-care and empowering healthcare professionals.
Our business was brought to life by Lieselotte and Werner Schäfer in 1952. They establish a chemistry laboratory in Basel, building the foundation of what is known as CIS Pharma AG today. Prior to this, Werner worked for Hoechst (Sanofi) where he synthesized penicillin.
Werner’s innovations in the field of surface-active compounds result in products such as the laundry detergent REI.
His innovative chemistry makes him a technology leader in the surfactant industry.
In 1969, among many sophisticated applications of his technologies, NASA applied our products to protect the electronic parts of the lunar landing shuttle. In 1973, Werner Schäfer incorporates Chemisches Institut Schäfer AG.
In 1978, Doris Schäfer, Rolf Schäfer and Hans Hitz join Werner, after academic careers at Max-Planck, Rockefeller & Salk Institute. They perform contract and proprietary R&D, and license technology to global health care organizations, among them Alcon.
In 1983, Amcis AG is incorporated as a spin-off from CIS Pharma, supplying Alcon with API. The collaboration with Alcon further drives the company’s growth. In 1987, CIS Pharma expands its facilities by moving from Basel to the current Campus in Bubendorf.
The team develops one of the core strengths of CIS Pharma AG, the synthesis and scale-up of molecules for Ophthalmology.
In 2000, the Amcis operations are divested and the focus of CIS Pharma shifts. Resources are allocated to develop proprietary technology ineyecare and ophthalmology. In 2003, Christoph Schäfer joins CIS Pharma after an initial career at Novartis and Alcon laboratories. In the same year, new facilities on the Campus in Bubendorf are inaugurated, also serving as the home of Carbogen-Amcis.
In 2005, CIS Pharma commences research on the next generation biomedical polymers as well as on eye care products including contact lens care and contact lens material. In the following years, the focus is on the discovery of new molecules and on improving cataract surgical procedures.