Unique insights into AbbVie’s partnering opportunities
AbbVie is continuously seeking partnering opportunities across therapeutics and aesthetics. As one of the most active players in global pharma, it’s a top partner for startups with bold science and a clear path to impact.
At our latest networking event, AbbVie gave us an inside look at how they approach collaboration, what kinds of innovation they’re prioritizing and how early-stage companies can get on their radar.
What you will find on this page
Meet BaseLaunch
Our mission is to further grow the biotech ecosystem in the Basel Area, one of the world’s premier life sciences hubs.
We provide groundbreaking startups with the funding, expertise and infrastructure they need to transform their ideas into industry-shaping solutions. So far, we’ve supported companies that have collectively raised over $1 billion in follow-on financing.
We also collaborate with industry leaders, domain experts and organizations to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnerships. Events like this are a key part of that vision, bringing together thought leaders to tackle the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of biotech.
Meet our speakers from AbbVie
Niels Emmerich
VP Global Search and Evaluation & Global Alliances
Niels explained AbbVie’s external innovation strategy, deal processes and therapeutic areas of interest.
Joachim Vogt
Director Search & Evaluation International
Joachim described the investment approach for early-stage startups with AbbVie Ventures and its collaboration with initiatives like BaseLaunch.
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Note: all pictures derive from AbbVie internal stock footage and are provided by the company.
Therapeutic focus area priorities
AbbVie has built its immense, modality-agnostic pipeline by knowing what medical needs to focus on and who to partner with. At the event, they walked us through the therapeutic areas that they currently focus on.
Click on the different focus areas to learn more about AbbVie’s engagement
Top priority: Early engagement
AbbVie wants to be an active investor, helping to drive innovation forward. That means getting in as early as possible. Sometimes, even before the company forms.
That’s great news for founders!
You don’t have to wait until you’re Series B-ready or have a dozen full-time staff to start a conversation. If your science is strong and aligned with AbbVie’s focus areas (Immunology, Oncology, Neuroscience, Eyecare, Aesthetics), they absolutely want to hear from you.
AbbVie Ventures
Its early-stage investment arm is called AbbVie Ventures. The team invests in transformational science to complement AbbVie’s core R&D interests, targeting six to eight new investments per year, predominantly at the seed or Series A stage. They can lead or co-lead syndicates and even create new companies, supported by AbbVie scientists in residence globally.
Open to all opportunities at all stages
While early-stage engagement is a strategic focus, AbbVie is open to partnerships at any stage of development.
Whether you’re an academic group with a big idea or a clinical-stage company preparing for pivotal trials, there’s room to explore a fit.
AbbVie’s flexible deal structures include collaborations, alliances, in- and out-licensing, options, acquisitions, divestitures and venture investments, alongside other opportunities with partners in industry and academia.
This integrated approach is delivered through four core groups working together with AbbVie’s R&D, commercial and operations teams:
- Search & Evaluation (S&E). Identifies and evaluates new opportunities that complement AbbVie’s internal innovation strategies, working closely with R&D, commercial, BD&A and Ventures.
- Business Development & Acquisitions (BD&A). Creates and negotiates partnership structures designed to meet the needs of both parties.
- Global Alliances. A dedicated team involved across all partnership aspects, from contracting to commercialization, focused on building long-term shared vision.
- AbbVie Ventures. Strategically invests in transformational scientific opportunities to complement AbbVie’s core R&D interests, offering drug development and commercialization expertise as a resource even to the earliest-stage companies.
How you can get in touch with AbbVie
If you think your science aligns with AbbVie’s focus areas, the best way to start a conversation is through their official partnering website. There, you’ll find the right people to talk to.
Ask your own questions at the next event
Participants of this event got to ask their own questions, share their science and connect with like-minded people. You get the same opportunity at our next AbbVie event in fall 2026.
Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll let you know as soon as registration opens.
Join BaseLaunch
If you’re just at the start (pre-seed or seed stage) of creating your therapeutic venture, BaseLaunch could be your right next step!
You can get up to CHF500,000 in funding, direct access to global biopharma leaders like AbbVie, help with company and team development and access to state-of-the-art lab space and infrastructure.
CH-ABBV-260059_06/2026
Note: all pictures derive from AbbVie internal stock footage and are provided by the company.
