The beginning of AbbVie in Schaffhausen goes back to 2013, when California based pharmaceuticals firm Pharmacyclics opened an international headquarters in Schaffhausen. Pharmacyclics specialized in the development of blood cancer therapies and had close relationships with pharmaceutical companies in the region. Two years later, Pharmacyclics was acquired by AbbVie and their Schaffhausen location continued under the name “Pharmacyclics, an AbbVie Company.” 

AbbVie is a globally active biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Chicago, USA. With 50,000 employees worldwide and 250 in Switzerland, the company develops medications to treat severe and chronic illnesses in the fields of immunology, oncology, neuroscience, ophthalmology, virology. In addition to their location in Schaffhausen, AbbVie has a marketing and sales organization in Cham, ZG where also Allergan Aesthetics is located, a fully integrated AbbVie company.

AbbVie’s Schaffhausen location is an important R&D center for the company, explains Site Director Lea Haines. Haines has been with AbbVie in Schaffhausen since January 2022 and is responsible for the Swiss R&D department with around 35 staff. As “Clinical Operations Therapeutic Area Head of Oncology,” she is also responsible for the global strategic planning, organization, and implementation of clinical approval trials for tumor treatments. “These clinical trials are an important element of clinical research. They are conducted in collaboration with doctors and with local health authorities,” says Haines, underlining the importance of the activities at the Schaffhausen site. “The trials are done in order to test the effectiveness and tolerability of new and promising medical therapies and to achieve approval for their intended label.”

Lea Haines has regular contact with the Schaffhausen Economic Development agency and with local authorities.

For the next generation of medicine

The Schaffhausen AbbVie location plays an important role in the company, explains Haines. “Our team here is part of a global team delivering the AbbVie oncology development pipeline, bringing the next generation of medicines to the market. We organize and lead global clinical trials. Following the first preclinical studies, we conduct all three phases of clinical trials until indication approval and market entrance.” Given the highly regulated environment of clinical research and regulatory requirements, this work is very complex. The AbbVie specialists support the study management in the various countries in setting up and conducting the clinical studies and monitor compliance. They also manage patient recruitment and the support the highly specialized physician network with their expertise. 

The 35 members of the Schaffhausen team originate from 17 different countries – from within Europe, US, Asia and Australia – and bring extensive knowledge of the health systems and regulatory requirements in these markets. Many have a scientific background, with a biology, chemistry, pharmaceutical or medical degree. But some also joined via different paths: “It is possible to start your career with AbbVie as “Quereinsteiger” - a mid-career change”, explains Andrea Keller. She joined AbbVie ten years ago as an assistant, and now supports the management of studies in the field of oncology. “Thanks to the experience and transferrable skills I brought from my previous roles, I can help organize the studies successfully even without a medical background and support the respective clinical study project managers.

Andrea Keller, Study Management Associate

Other employees at AbbVie’s Schaffhausen site work in finance, supply chain management, HR, or business technology support. Haines particularly emphasizes the high proportion of women in leadership positions at AbbVie: “The proportion of women tends to be higher in pharmaceutical companies compared to other industries. The fact that we have two women in leadership positions at AbbVie in Switzerland – Linn Mandahl as General Manager and Site Manager in Cham, and I here in Schaffhausen – makes us proud.

Why Schaffhausen?

AbbVie came to Schaffhausen in 2015 through the acquisition of Pharmacyclics – and the company has stayed. “The good connectivity and proximity to Zurich airport make a strong case for Schaffhausen. We also have spacious and central office space, which is used both by our team and our colleagues in Cham, and even by colleagues from around the AbbVie world.”

“In Schaffhausen, we are close to important peer and partner businesses, and can easily find experienced specialists in our field,” says Haines, summarizing the advantages of the location. Schaffhausen’s high quality of life and beautiful natural surroundings are also important factors. The region is family-friendly and has invested in infrastructure for international talent, for example, in the international school and in activities for the integration of expats, Haines explains. “A further factor was and is the good relationship and collaboration with the local authorities and the economic development agency. There is a real partnership here.”

“Our employees value Schaffhausen’s high quality of life for their families,”

Lea Haines, Site Director and Clinical Operations Therapeutic Area Head, Oncology.

Strong networks in the region

Many AbbVie employees live in the Schaffhausen region, strengthening the company’s integration and connection with the area. “We organize community days with activities like nature protection work, did some volunteering in the Gassenküche or more recently at sporting events and Science Days at the international school,” explains Gabriela Szymanska. Szymanska, an HR specialist, and her family have lived in the region for five years and are becoming more and more involved in their community. “We’ve put down roots here!” is how she sums up her new home.

Lea Haines (right) at a meeting with employees Gabriela Szymanska (left) and Clare Winship.