C.R. Bard GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · Karlsruhe
C.R. Bard GmbH is a pharmaceutical company based in Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The company operates in the German pharmaceutical market and is regulated by the BfArM (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices).
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C.R. Bard GmbH Address & Contact
Company profile
1907
Founded
75.000+ (BD Konzern)
Employees
C.R. Bard GmbH Overview
C.R. Bard GmbH is the German subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a US-based medical technology corporation headquartered in Franklin Lakes (New Jersey). BD acquired C.R. Bard in 2017 for approximately 24 billion US dollars. The original company, C.R. Bard, Inc., was founded in 1907 by Charles Russell Bard and was one of the pioneers in the field of single-use medical products. BD employs approximately 75,000 people worldwide. The German branch in Karlsruhe (Baden-Württemberg) serves the German market for the products of the former Bard portfolio as well as other BD product lines. With the merger, C.R. Bard was not only integrated into BD's global structure but also benefited from its extensive research and development capabilities. This has contributed to the strengthening and diversification of the product portfolio.
Field of Activity & Products
The product line of C.R. Bard / BD includes a variety of specialized medical devices and technologies used in different medical fields. Key product areas include:
- Vascular Products: These include catheters and stents for vascular interventions used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
- Urological Products: This category includes bladder catheters, urethral stents, and brachytherapy systems developed for targeted treatment of prostate cancer. Notably, the Bard Foley catheter is considered one of the most well-known urological catheters worldwide.
- Oncological Products: This includes fully implantable port systems, biopsy needles for sample collection, and tumor resection technologies that contribute significantly to the early detection and treatment of cancer.
- Surgical Meshes: These products are primarily used for hernia repair and in pelvic floor surgery to improve surgical outcomes.
- Interventional Radiology Products: These encompass a range of innovative solutions to support diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
- Infusion Technology: BD/Bard also offers infusion pumps and venous access systems used in hospitals and outpatient practices worldwide.
The versatile products of C.R. Bard are recognized not only in the European Union but also internationally, and are used in various healthcare facilities, from large university hospitals to small medical practices. This demonstrates the company's high market relevance and industry-leading position.
History & Regulation
C.R. Bard is one of the most innovative medical technology companies and was a pioneer in the development of single-use catheters, biopsy needles, and implantable port systems. All products are subject to the requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulation (EU-MDR) and are CE certified. The strict regulatory framework ensures that the products provide both safety and effectiveness. C.R. Bard places great importance on compliance with these standards to gain and maintain the trust of the medical community and patients. Moreover, BD/Bard is a member of the Federal Association of Medical Technology (BVMed), which underscores its commitment to promoting quality standards and innovation processes in the industry.
The choice of location in Karlsruhe is strategically important, as this region is considered a center for biotechnology and medical technology. Karlsruhe offers access to qualified professionals as well as research and development facilities. These factors contribute to C.R. Bard's ability to develop innovative solutions that sustainably improve treatment success in modern medicine.
For more information: Pharmaceutical companies in Baden-Württemberg or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about C.R. Bard GmbH
What does C.R. Bard GmbH do?
C.R. Bard GmbH for Medizintechnik develops medical devices and medizinische Hilfswithtel im Bereich the Gefäßerkrankungen, for Urologie and Onkologie and for sonstige chirurgische Fachgebiete. Zu den productsn gehören verschiedene Arten of Kathethen, Urinalkondome and Zubehör at Inkontinenz. Hauptmaterial is medizinisch verwendbares Silikon.
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About Pharmaceutical Companies
Germany is one of the world's leading pharmaceutical nations, home to more than 1,000 pharmaceutical businesses employing approximately 130,000 people (vfa 2023). Companies operating in this sector develop, manufacture and distribute medicines across the entire value chain, from early-stage research and clinical trials through to market authorisation and commercial distribution. In Germany, every manufacturer of medicinal products must hold a manufacturing authorisation (Herstellungserlaubnis) issued under Section 13 of the AMG (Arzneimittelgesetz, Germany's Medicinal Products Act). Medicines may only be placed on the market after receiving approval from either BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, broadly comparable to the FDA in the United States or the MHRA in the United Kingdom) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) via the centralised procedure. All manufacturing sites are subject to regular GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) inspections carried out by the competent pharmaceutical supervisory authority of the relevant German federal state. The sector covers prescription-only medicines (Rx), non-prescription OTC products, generics, biosimilars and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). This directory lists pharmaceutical manufacturers, marketers and licence holders across all German federal states with full contact details, addresses and phone numbers.
Germany's Pharmaceutical Industry
Germany is consistently ranked among the top five pharmaceutical markets worldwide, generating annual revenues exceeding EUR 50 billion and accounting for the largest share of pharmaceutical production in continental Europe. The industry is represented by two major associations: vfa (Verband Forschender Arzneimittelhersteller), which represents research-based companies, and BAH (Bundesverband der Arzneimittel-Hersteller), which represents the broader manufacturer base including OTC and self-medication products. German pharmaceutical companies cover the full spectrum from global innovator corporations and mid-sized specialty manufacturers to generic producers and biotech firms. The country is a world leader in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production, biologics manufacturing and pharmaceutical chemistry. Key therapeutic areas of strength include oncology, cardiovascular medicine, immunology, neuroscience and rare diseases. Germany also serves as a significant export hub, with pharmaceutical products among the country's leading export categories. The sector benefits from a highly skilled workforce, world-class university research institutions and a dense network of research hospitals (Universitätsklinika) that facilitate clinical trial activity.
Regulatory Framework: BfArM, EMA and the AMG
The legal foundation for pharmaceutical activity in Germany is the Arzneimittelgesetz (AMG, German Medicinal Products Act), which regulates the authorisation, manufacture, import, distribution, labelling and pharmacovigilance of medicinal products. For English-speaking readers unfamiliar with the German regulatory landscape: BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) is the national competent authority responsible for approving medicines marketed only in Germany, supervising narcotics, and maintaining the pharmacovigilance database. BfArM is a higher federal authority (Bundesoberbehörde) subordinate to the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit). For medicines approved via the centralised EU procedure, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) grants a single marketing authorisation valid in all 27 EU member states. Germany is also home to the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut (PEI), a second federal authority that specifically handles biological medicines including vaccines, blood products and gene therapy products. Manufacturing sites are inspected by state-level pharmaceutical supervisory authorities (Landesbehörden) to verify GMP compliance, with findings entered into the EudraGMDP database operated by the EMA.
Regional Pharmaceutical Clusters in Germany
Germany's pharmaceutical industry is geographically distributed across several major regional clusters. The Rhine-Main area around Frankfurt and Leverkusen in North Rhine-Westphalia is home to some of Germany's largest pharmaceutical sites, including facilities belonging to global corporations with long histories in German chemistry and pharmaceuticals. Bavaria (particularly Munich, Penzberg and Marburg) is a second major hub, especially strong in biotechnology and biologics production. Baden-Württemberg, including cities such as Mannheim, Heidelberg and Biberach an der Riss, is home to several significant research-based manufacturers. Hamburg and the northern German region have a cluster of specialty and generic manufacturers. Berlin has a growing biotech scene connected to its research universities and the Charité hospital. Hesse is notable for its proximity to Frankfurt's logistics infrastructure and several major API manufacturers. Smaller but significant clusters exist in Saxony (Leipzig, Dresden) and Lower Saxony, benefiting from proximity to university research centres and historically established chemical industry sites.
Drug Classes and Product Segments
German pharmaceutical companies cover all major drug classes. Prescription (Rx) products account for the largest share of revenue; generics manufacturers such as Stada, ratiopharm (Teva) and Hexal produce chemically equivalent alternatives after patent expiry, significantly reducing costs for the healthcare system. Biologics and biosimilars are gaining ground rapidly: monoclonal antibodies, insulin analogues and recombinant growth factors require specialised biotech manufacturing facilities. OTC products (over-the-counter), i.e. medicines available without a prescription, represent a multi-billion-euro market served by companies such as Bayer Consumer Health, Stada and Klosterfrau. Homeopathic preparations, herbal medicines and dietary supplements form further regulated segments. Digitalisation is increasingly shaping the sector: Digital Health Applications (DiGA) have been reimbursable since 2020, and AI-assisted drug development is significantly shortening time-to-market.
What does a pharmaceutical company do?
Pharmaceutical companies develop, produce and distribute medicines. They cover the entire value chain from research and clinical trials through to market launch and distribution. In Germany, they are supervised by BfArM (the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, comparable to the FDA or MHRA).
How are pharmaceutical companies regulated in Germany?
Pharmaceutical companies in Germany must hold a manufacturing authorisation under Section 13 of the AMG (German Medicinal Products Act). All authorised medicines require approval from either BfArM or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Regular GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) inspections ensure quality standards are maintained.
Where can I find contact details for pharmaceutical companies in Germany?
Industry associations such as vfa (Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies) and BPI (Federal Association of the German Pharmaceutical Industry) maintain member directories. Many companies also list their key contacts directly on their websites. Sanoliste provides a searchable directory of pharmaceutical companies in Germany sorted by federal state and city.
How many pharmaceutical companies are there in Germany?
Germany is home to more than 1,000 pharmaceutical companies employing approximately 130,000 people, according to vfa (the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies) 2023 data. The sector includes multinational corporations, mid-sized specialty firms, generic manufacturers and biotech startups.
What is BfArM and what does it regulate?
BfArM (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte) is Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. It is a higher federal authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health and is responsible for approving medicines for the German market, monitoring drug safety (pharmacovigilance), regulating narcotics and controlled substances, and overseeing medical devices in Germany. It is broadly comparable to the FDA in the United States or the MHRA in the United Kingdom.
What is the difference between BfArM approval and EMA approval?
Medicines in Germany can be approved through two main routes. BfArM grants national marketing authorisations valid in Germany, or decentralised and mutual recognition procedure approvals valid in multiple EU states. The EMA (European Medicines Agency) grants centralised marketing authorisations valid in all 27 EU member states simultaneously, typically used for innovative biologic medicines, oncology drugs and products for rare diseases.
What does GMP mean in the context of German pharmaceutical manufacturing?
GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice. In Germany and the EU, GMP compliance is a legal requirement for all pharmaceutical manufacturers under the AMG and the EU GMP Guidelines (EudraLex Volume 4). GMP covers all aspects of production including premises, equipment, personnel qualification, process validation, documentation and quality control. Compliance is verified by regular inspections from the competent state pharmaceutical supervisory authority.