UNGC CoP 2026: What changed and what to do next
April 10, 2026
Swixx Biopharma is one of the largest commercialisation platforms representing the portfolio of pharmaceutical companies in those markets in which they choose not to enter or decide to exit. With the comprehensive services to its partner companies, Swixx bridges the gap between pharmaceutical innovation and patient access. After 12 years of operations, Swixx’s presence extends across 45+ countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia/CIS, Latin America, and MENAT. Committed to enhancing patient outcomes, dedicated teams of over 1,700 Swixx employees strive to provide access to modern medicines for those in need.
Its sustainability journey began with a small group of employees working alongside their usual responsibilities. Over time, that group developed into a wider Green Team and later a dedicated ESG function.
This came after Swixx received an EcoVadis score of 38 points and the 15th percentile in October 2024. The result showed that the company needed clearer documentation, stronger evidence, and a more structured sustainability management system.
Building an ESG function from the ground up
Swixx’s sustainability journey began with limited dedicated resources, but strong interest and appetite among its employees. Barbara Kosir, NED at Swixx BioPharma AG, became particularly engaged after completing courses through the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. She then helped turn that interest into ESG activity within Swixx, alongside her existing responsibilities. As Barbara Kosir stated: “We started with around four or five people, and we called ourselves the Green Team.” The group included colleagues from finance, supply chain, quality assurance, human resources, PR/communications, and other functions including local markets representatives.
The Green Team created an important foundation. It brought together people with practical knowledge across the business, even though sustainability was not yet managed through a dedicated function. Swixx later created its first dedicated ESG position. The company now has two ESG employees, supported by colleagues across the Green Team and the wider organisation. This progression gave sustainability clearer ownership while preserving the cross functional approach that helped start the work.
Using EcoVadis insight to create structure
Swixx first encountered stronger external expectations when one of its multinational pharma companies requested an ESG assessment in 2024. The assessment gave the company a clear baseline, and highlighted opportunities to strengthen how its existing practices were documented.
Swixx already had relevant procedures and controls in place. The next step was to align these practices with the EcoVadis framework and make the supporting evidence easier to identify, organise, and present.
EcoVadis evaluates 21 sustainability criteria across four themes: environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. Its methodology considers company documentation, external inputs, and expert analysis. [1]
Swixx decided to focus on the high importance recommendations in its scorecard. The company then engaged our team after a tender process involving three potential partners. The collaboration between Swixx Bio pharma and Nexio Projects began with an Insights Report based on Swixx’s previous assessment.
“The Insights report provided by Nexio Projects was very well received within our team. It was very useful because it was concrete and highly structured. It gave Swixx a clear route from scattered evidence to coordinated action”
Barbara says. The report helped Swixx understand why certain documents had not been recognised and which actions would have the greatest effect. Our team then reviewed policies, evidence, KPI reporting, and measures across the four EcoVadis themes.
The collaboration also supported the development of new documents, including a sustainable procurement policy. Swixx used its Green Team wherever internal expertise was available and involved other colleagues where additional knowledge was needed.
Our article on why organisations seek support with their EcoVadis assessment explores how specialist guidance can help companies turn scorecard findings into practical priorities. [2]
According to Cilia Keser, Managing Partner at Nexio Projects, ‘The strongest EcoVadis projects help organisations build practical systems that support decision making beyond the assessment itself.’
Turning a better score into lasting capability
Swixx’s score moved to between 76 and 78 after appeal, resulting in a Silver medal. The improvement reflected a wider organisational change.
The project helped Swixx strengthen its policies, improve its evidence base, clarify responsibilities, and develop a more complete view of its sustainability activities.
As Barbara Kosir stated:
“We now have additional policy documents, and we understand EcoVadis much better. We know why certain evidence is requested and why some documents are not accepted.”
The work also identified priorities beyond the assessment. These include sustainable procurement, carbon footprint, employee wellbeing, future reporting preparation, and increased ESG activity in Latin America.
Barbara sees the EcoVadis project as part of a wider sustainability journey. “I think this project and our collaboration brought our ESG and sustainability work to the next level. It gave us structure, expertise, and a better understanding.” Swixx is now better positioned to maintain its sustainability management system and prepare for future expectations. Our EcoVadis 2026 guide provides further context on governance, evidence, performance indicators, and continuous improvement. [3] Sustainable procurement is another important next step.
If you would like to hear more from our clients, explore our case studies:
Future-proof sustainability management
Swixx BioPharma’s experience shows how an EcoVadis assessment can become a catalyst for stronger sustainability management.
The company began with motivated employees, distributed knowledge, and limited dedicated capacity. Through structured support, Swixx strengthened its evidence, clarified ownership, and developed a more complete ESG system.
The score improvement was important. The lasting value lies in the capability created behind it. As Barbara Kosir stated: “Our collaboration brought our ESG and sustainability work to the next level. It gave us structure, expertise, and a better understanding. The lasting value of an EcoVadis project is the capability an organisation carries into its next sustainability decision.”
When asked if there was anything else she would like to highlight about the collaboration, Barbara reflected on the team’s approach:
“What impressed me most was the professionalism and very human approach of Sophia and the Nexio Projects team. I felt they genuinely cared about helping us succeed, and that made a real difference throughout the project.”
Nexio Projects is an international sustainability consultancy dedicated to guiding organisations on their journey from compliance to positive impact. We help companies strengthen EcoVadis performance while building sustainability systems that support wider business priorities.
Recognised in the Verdantix Buyer’s Guide for boutique ESG and sustainability strategy services [4] and named the best ESG consultancy in the Netherlands by Consultancy NL in 2025 [5], we are here to help organisations connect the needs of business and the planet.
Book a call with us to discuss your EcoVadis assessment and sustainability management priorities.
References
[1] EcoVadis. EcoVadis Ratings Methodology Overview and Principles. July 2026. https://resources.ecovadis.com/ecovadis-solution-materials/ecovadis-ratings-methodology-overview-and-principles-2022-neutral. Accessed August 2026.
[2] Nexio Projects. Why get support with your EcoVadis assessment? https://nexioprojects.com/why-get-support-with-your-ecovadis-assessment/. Accessed August 2026.
[3] Nexio Projects. Stay ahead of the rising standards: EcoVadis 2026 unlocked. https://nexioprojects.com/knowledge-centre/stay-ahead-of-the-rising-standards-ecovadis-2026-unlocked/. Accessed August 2026.
[4] Verdantix. Buyer’s Guide: Boutique ESG And Sustainability Strategy Services. https://www.verdantix.com/client-portal/report/buyer-s-guide-boutique-esg-and-sustainability-strategy-services-2023. Accessed August 2026.
[5] Consultancy NL. Best ESG consultancy in the Netherlands, 2025. https://www.consultancy.nl/rankings/2025/beste-adviesbureaus-van-nederland-per-vakgebied-2025/esg. Accessed August 2026.
