How EFSI benefits SMEs in Europe - UniCredit Bank Austria case study: ZETA Biopharma (Austria), Pharmaceutical company

In 2011, Karl Maier, an economist by training and expert in energy projects, bought ZETA Biopharma, a company that is part of the ZETA Holding group. ZETA Biopharma deals with the development of integrated system solutions for liquid processes for customers in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries across the world. “We are already present in Europe, but also in Russia, China and South-East Asia. We just recently signed our first contract in South Korea”, Karl explains.

ZETA Biopharma caters for all stages of system management from initial design, to engineering, manufacturing and assembly, installation, quality control, maintenance and supply chain management. ZETA Biopharma works on liquid processes ranging from vaccines to food processing and fermentation systems.

Since taking over, Karl and his colleagues have been investing heavily in the company, especially in software. These years have also witnessed the training of a solid core of staff members, which has also contributed to the company’s successful growth over the years.

To support this growth in the short- and medium-term, Karl sought additional financing from UniCredit Bank Austria. The bank provided them with a loan backed by EIF under the Investment Plan for Europe, the EU initiative aiming to generate new investments in Europe through the support of small and medium-sized enterprises. “Thanks to UniCredit Bank Austria, EIF and the European Commission’s Investment Plan for Europe, I was able to keep sufficient liquidity in my company’s balance sheet. We want to support our long-term growth with our own resources, but to meet our immediate needs in the short run, this loan was ideal, especially on such favourable terms.”

Company: ZETA Biopharma (Austria)

Type of business: Pharmaceutical company

EIF financing: InnovFin SMEG, EFSI

For further information about EIF intermediaries in Austria, please refer to: http://www.eif.org/what_we_do/where/at