⏱ 1 min 30 read
Background
Couvet, in the Val-de-Travers (NE), already hosts three pharmaceutical companies. The village is also home to the former pharmaceutical plant Analytecon. For the canton of Neuchâtel, attracting international players diversifies the local economy.
The key points
Barcelona-based group STE Pharmaceuticals plans a 15,000 m² building in Couvet by 2032, the ATS news agency reported on 2 November 2026. The site is to house a production unit and a research and development department.
A dedicated entity, STE Swiss Pharma, is handling the Swiss set-up. The group will convert the former Analytecon plant, with partial demolition. The public consultation on the building permit runs until 9 November.
Present in more than 60 countries, the Catalan group makes nasal sprays, cough syrups and natural food supplements. The number of skilled jobs created has not yet been quantified.
Key figures
- 15,000 m² : planned construction area
- 2032 : target date for the site
- More than 60 : countries where the group operates
- 3 : pharmaceutical companies already based in Couvet
What it means for businesses
- Val-de-Travers : the canton sees it as the start of a pharmaceutical hub attractive to skilled workers.
- Skilled jobseekers : the project aims to create jobs, with no figure at this stage.
Who says what
- Stefano Ponta (director of STE Swiss Pharma): the goal is to “create skilled jobs”.
- Matthieu Aubert (head of the Neuchâtel employment service): attracting international players is “an interesting prospect”.
What's next
- End of the public consultation on 9 November 2026.
- Site completion planned by 2032.
Further reading
Sources
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