Helsinn was founded in 1983. The company's business strategy is to in-license new chemical entities at a certain stage of development. Helsinn completes the development by performing pre-clinical and clinical studies as well as chemical and pharmaceutical development through the attainment of market approval in strategic markets (USA and Europe). The finished products and active pharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured at Helsinn, in its plants in Ireland and Switzerland, and then supplied to its marketing partners for distribution. The Helsinn Healthcare group licensing activities is performed by Helsinn Healthcare (Switzerland), the chemical business by Helsinn Chemicals (Switzerland) / Helsinn Advanced Synthesis (Switzerland).