Bachem is a Swiss peptide manufacturer and CDMO. Learn what the company does, its products, locations, peptide synthesis, and stock market basics.
Bachem is a Swiss peptide manufacturer and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that supplies research-grade and pharmaceutical-grade peptides to laboratories, biotech companies, and drug developers worldwide. The company is headquartered in Bubendorf, Switzerland, and is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Bachem does not sell prescription medications or peptides for human consumption; its catalog and custom peptides are intended for research and industrial use.
What Does the Bachem Company Do?
Bachem runs two main lines of business: it sells catalog peptides for research, and it provides custom peptide manufacturing for pharmaceutical clients. The bachem company also handles process development, scale-up, and quality control under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
Its customers include academic labs, biotech startups, and large pharmaceutical companies. Bachem was founded in 1971 and has grown through acquisitions and capacity expansions. Bachem is a business-to-business supplier, not a direct-to-consumer retailer.
- Catalog peptides for research laboratories
- Custom and GMP peptide manufacturing
- Process development and scale-up
- Analytical testing and quality control
- Fill-and-finish services for peptide active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs)
Bachem Products and What They Cover
The range of bachem products falls into several categories, from small research quantities to commercial-scale APIs. Each category has different purity, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Bachem's catalog covers thousands of peptides, while custom projects can run from early research batches to commercial supply.
| Product Category | Typical Use | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Research peptides | Lab experiments and assay development | Research-grade |
| GMP peptides | Clinical trials and commercial drugs | GMP-grade |
| Custom peptides | Proprietary sequences for clients | Custom |
| Peptide building blocks | Synthesis reagents | Reagent-grade |
| Oligonucleotides | Molecular biology research | Research and clinical |
Most research peptides sold by Bachem are labeled 'for research use only.' Bachem's research peptides are not approved by the FDA for human use, and they should not be administered to people or animals.
Bachem Peptide Synthesis and Manufacturing
The process behind bachem peptide synthesis relies mainly on solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), which builds peptide chains step by step on a solid resin. The company then uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and other techniques to purify the target peptide.
Solid-phase synthesis is efficient for long peptides, but it still requires careful purification and characterization. Bachem documents each batch with analytical data so clients can meet regulatory expectations.
Manufacturing capacity matters for high-demand molecules such as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Tirzepatide and retatrutide are examples of complex peptides that require specialized production, and Bachem's role in this area is as a contract manufacturer for pharmaceutical clients rather than a consumer seller of those drug molecules.
Bachem produces peptides at scales that range from milligrams for research to metric tons for commercial supply. That range is one reason the company is often discussed alongside other large peptide CDMOs.
Bachem Locations and Global Reach
A look at bachem locations shows a footprint centered in Switzerland with additional operations in the United States and other regions. The headquarters and largest manufacturing campus are in Bubendorf, Switzerland.
| Location | Country | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Bubendorf | Switzerland | Headquarters and large-scale manufacturing |
| Vionnaz | Switzerland | Manufacturing |
| Torrance, California | United States | Bachem Americas, sales and production |
| Regional offices | Various | Sales and customer support |
Having multiple sites helps Bachem manage supply chain risk and serve customers in different regulatory regions. Bachem's main manufacturing sites are in Switzerland and the United States.
Bachem Stock and Investor Basics
Bachem Holding AG is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, and investors often track the bachem stock as a way to follow the peptide CDMO market. Revenue comes from both catalog peptide sales and larger GMP manufacturing contracts.
Stock prices can move with earnings reports, capacity announcements, and demand for peptide-based drugs. Bachem Holding AG trades under the ticker BANB on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Bachem's shares are not listed on a US exchange, so US investors typically access them through international brokerages.
This article is not investment advice. Anyone considering an investment should review the company's financial filings and consult a licensed financial advisor.
Tools and Resources, Including the Bachem Peptide Calculator
Bachem offers online resources for researchers, including Bachem's peptide calculator, which helps estimate molecular weight and prepare laboratory solutions. These tools are designed for lab planning, not for clinical dosing.
The calculator is a planning aid, and it does not replace a laboratory's own validated methods. Bachem also publishes technical notes, safety data sheets, and certificates of analysis. Researchers use these documents to verify peptide identity, purity, and storage conditions.
Safety and Research-Use Considerations
Peptides sold for research are not drugs. They are not evaluated by the FDA for safety or efficacy, and they should never be used in humans.
- Research peptides are for laboratory use only.
- GMP peptides are made for pharmaceutical clients under regulated conditions.
- Always consult a healthcare professional before using any peptide product.
- Buy peptides only from suppliers that provide a certificate of analysis.
No peptide sold for research purposes should be used in humans or animals. If you have questions about a peptide's legal status or safety, talk to a qualified healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bachem do?
Bachem is a Swiss peptide manufacturer and contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). It sells catalog peptides for research and produces custom and GMP peptides for pharmaceutical and biotech clients. Bachem does not sell prescription drugs directly to consumers.
Is Bachem FDA-approved?
Bachem is a company, not a medication, so it is not 'FDA-approved' in the way a drug is. Its GMP manufacturing facilities are subject to regulatory inspections, and research peptides sold by Bachem are labeled for research use only and are not approved for human use.
Does Bachem sell tirzepatide or retatrutide?
Bachem does not sell tirzepatide or retatrutide as consumer-facing research peptides. Those molecules are proprietary drug products, and Bachem's role in the GLP-1 space is as a contract manufacturer for pharmaceutical clients.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.