The Federal Funding Programme for COVID-19 Medicines supported innovative pharmaceutical projects that make a contribution to the secure and rapid supply of COVID-19 medicines. The medicines should be available to the Swiss population by the end of 2022.
Funding decision of the FOPH
During its session on 30 June 2021, the Federal Council mandated Innosuisse and us to implement the funding programme jointly. The call for applications started on 19 July and closed on 16 August 2021.
The nine funding applications received, with a total requested funding amount of around CHF 52 million, were evaluated by experts on behalf of Innosuisse and the FOPH.
In late 2021, the federal government signed contracts with four companies based in Switzerland for the development of drugs to treat COVID-19: media release.
What is the Federal Funding Programme for COVID-19 Medicines?
The Federal Council approved the CHF 50 million funding programme for COVID-19 medicines in May 2021. The aim of the programme is to support the research, development and manufacture of COVID-19 medicines. By contributing to a secure and rapid supply of these medicines for Switzerland, the Federal Council seeks to provide the Swiss population with access to new and innovative therapies. The programme will run for a limited period until the end of 2022.
Funding programme schedule
| Schedule | |
|---|---|
| 19 July 2021 | Launch of call for applications |
| 16 August 2021 | Deadline for submission of applications |
| 17–31 August 2021 | Preliminary check of applications including possible follow-up questions to applicants |
| By end of October 2021 | FOPH decision on funding application |
Implementation of the funding programme
The Federal Council mandated the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and Innosuisse to implement the Federal Funding Programme for COVID-19 Medicines. The FOPH bears the main responsibility and will make funding decisions. Innosuisse will take care of the technical part of the call for applications on behalf of the FOPH, and will contribute technical expertise from its pool of experts, who will carry out the technical assessment of applications.
Last modification 27.05.2022
