Northern Germany is home to renowned pharmaceutical manufacturers with a global reach. This region is a hub for key industry players involved in pharmaceutical production, ranging from innovative small and medium-sized enterprises to multinational corporations. There are some that are leaders in their fields.
Northern Germany, particularly Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, has become an increasingly attractive location for the pharmaceutical industry. The region offers several advantages. Companies benefit from top-tier universities and research institutions, while innovative medium-sized companies play a crucial role in driving the sector forward. Some companies lead their respective niches, while others specialize on basic healthcare products and solutions. Additionally, the presence of several globally operating corporations further strengthens the region’s competitiveness and growth.
What do Northern companies have to offer?
A diverse and varied range
Biotechnology and tradition, medicine and cosmetics, new therapies and well-established drugs: the pharmaceutical industry in the North is diverse. From neurological diseases like epilepsy, rheumatology, to herpes and respiratory illnesses, it serves a wide range of pharmaceutical demands. The ingredients in these products are also diverse: enzymes, zinc oxide, gelatin, microbiomes, or mammalian cell cultures.
Nordmark Pharma GmbH specializes in the latter, producing biological active ingredients through fermentation and with specialized systems. Based in Uetersen, the company manufactures biopharmaceutical active ingredients and medicines from animal sources, primarily from the enzyme pancreatin. Additionally, it is the world’s largest producer of collagenase.
The North is also making strides in the development of animal-free methods for the pharmaceutical industry, for example, at medac GmbH. Globally active in 91 countries and large with 2,000 employees, the company develops drugs for rheumatology, urology, hematology, and oncology.
International and successful
The growing appeal of Northern Germany for pharmaceutical production is underscored by what Prime Minister Daniel Günther has commended as the largest foreign investment in Schleswig-Holstein’s pharmaceutical sector. In Bovenau, a small town near the East North Sea Canal, Richter BioLogics GmbH & Co. KG from Hamburg has built a new €100 million production facility. Richter BioLogics, a subsidiary of Budapest-headquartered Gedeon Richter, has 35 years of experience in biopharmacy. Now, in its state-of-the-art facility, the company can produce protein-based active ingredients and plasmid DNA-based medicines using microbial production.
Northern companies have achieved international success: production in Germany, marketing worldwide. For instance, Allergopharma GmbH & Co. KG produces and develops preparations for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases – exclusively in Reinbek. The products are sold in Europe and Asia. By continuously investing in research and innovation, the Reinbek-based company is developing new therapeutic approaches aimed at delivering even more effective and long-lasting results in the future. As a result, Allergopharma is a significant player in the German and international allergy treatment market.
While not active globally, the pharmaceutical industry in Northern Germany is also present across Europe in the area of diseases of the neural nervous system, such as epilepsy or Parkinson’s. One of the oldest companies in the Life Science Nord cluster has been focusing on this field for more than 100 years. Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH in Hamburg is dedicated to developing therapies for rare diseases and produces product applications for skin irritations and wounds.
From pharmacy to app
Today’s research and development would be unthinkable without digitalization. However, many companies started in the analog era: For example, as early as 1835, G. Pohl-Boskamp GmbH & Co. KG developed gelatin capsules in a pharmacy. Today, it has two locations in Schleswig-Holstein and is one of the leading medium-sized companies in the field of respiratory diseases. Every other product produced by Pohl-Boskamp is for export, and the company is focusing on digital health solutions, such as an app for tinnitus treatment.
Significant developments are taking place in the field of medication use: Companies are developing increasingly innovative products to make them suitable for an ever-wider range of applications. For example, in herpes treatment: wound gel with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, thanks to tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO), developed by Phi-Stone AG in Kiel. The newest player in the Northern cluster ventured into the pharmaceutical market in 2017. Today, demand is so high that the company is expanding its production facility, supported by the state of Schleswig-Holstein.
What do the pharma companies have to say?
Some of the producers have a long company history, while others are just a few years old. We asked them how comfortable they feel in the North and what advantages the location offers:
The Region
One of the main advantages for many companies is the opportunities offered by the region. “It offers a strong research and development landscape with renowned universities, institutes, and networks like Life Science Nord, which promote innovation,” says CEO Andreas Roth of Phi-Stone AG. In addition, the well-developed infrastructure and proximity to international trade routes simplify logistics and export. For example, for Richter BioLogics, Hamburg Airport plays an important role, as it ensures good accessibility and direct connections to transportation networks.
Overall, Northern Germany is strongly focused on research and development, which is crucial for pharmaceutical producers to manufacture specialized active ingredients.
Not least, the availability of highly qualified professionals allows pharmaceutical companies to secure a strong and lasting presence.
Andreas Roth
CEO Phi-Stone AG
Politics and Networking
Northern companies agree that a major advantage is the strong life science community, complemented by the business-friendly and stable environment. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein offer funding programs for innovative pharmaceutical companies. In addition to political support, there is also backing from within: “The pharmaceutical industry in Northern Germany is strengthened by the close networking of companies, fostering intense exchange among them,” says Philipp Bloching, CEO of Desitin Arzneimittel GmbH. Within the industry, expert committees and workshops are organized to develop innovative solutions. Government representatives are also invited. “Through open exchange with authorities and streamlined approval processes, it is possible to respond more quickly to new market needs.”
An example of the close connection between science and business is Phi-Stone, a spin-off from the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel. CEO Roth says: “This close connection between science and business allows us direct access to scientific know-how in material sciences.” Richter BioLogics also maintains close collaborations with universities, scientific, and academic institutions. “This way, we reach and attract well-trained professionals, which is crucial for continued market growth,” says Managing Director Kai Pohlmeyer.
All of these factors create optimal conditions for the production of pharmaceutical products.
Text: Lea Holzamer
Featured image: Richter BioLogics GmbH & Co. KG
