Beiersdorf AG
Pharmaceutical Companies · Hamburg
Beiersdorf AG is a pharmaceutical company based in Hamburg, Germany.
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Beiersdorf AG Address & Contact
Company profile
1882
Founded
20.000+
Employees
Beiersdorf AG Overview
Beiersdorf AG from Hamburg is a globally leading consumer goods and skincare company with strong pharmaceutical product lines and is headquartered in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. Founded in 1882, the company has made a name for itself through innovation and quality and is known for global brands such as Nivea, Eucerin, Hansaplast, and La Prairie. Today, Beiersdorf ranks among the largest German consumer goods corporations and employs over 20,000 people worldwide. With a revenue of over 8 billion euros in 2022, Beiersdorf AG demonstrates its economic relevance in the international market.
Services and Products
Beiersdorf markets a versatile range of skincare products, medical dressings, and dermatological products. The Hansaplast brand includes adhesive bandages, wound care products, pain relief patches, as well as innovative products for the prevention and treatment of wounds. The dermatology brand Eucerin is specifically designed for the care of dry and sensitive skin, as well as for specific skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis. Beiersdorf is committed to developing high-quality products through research and development, which are recommended by dermatologists worldwide. The products are available in over 150 countries, underscoring Beiersdorf's global reach. In addition to skincare, the company is also engaged in medical products, providing solutions for various skin problems based on consumer needs.
Regulatory Classification
The products of Beiersdorf AG are subject to strict regulatory requirements in the various markets in which they are offered. The company is committed to complying with the guidelines of the respective health authorities in the countries where it operates. This includes compliance with the EU regulation on cosmetics, which governs the safety, effectiveness, and labeling of cosmetic products. For pharmaceutical products, this also includes compliance with specific regulations for medicinal products, regarding approval, distribution, and post-market surveillance. Beiersdorf invests in research and development to ensure that all products are not only effective but also safe for the consumer.
Location Hamburg
Hamburg is the headquarters of Beiersdorf AG, which has been rooted in the Hanseatic city for over 140 years. Here, the company operates its global headquarters and significant production facilities, including state-of-the-art plants for the manufacture of cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. The company is one of the largest private employers in Hamburg and significantly contributes to the local economy. Beiersdorf offers numerous training and career opportunities for young people in the region and is also actively engaged in corporate social responsibility by promoting sustainability and environmental friendliness initiatives. This is reflected, among other things, in the implementation of environmentally conscious production processes and the use of recyclable materials.
Special Features of Beiersdorf AG
A significant feature of Beiersdorf AG is its consistent focus on innovation and research. The company operates several research centers worldwide that concentrate on the development of advanced skincare and cosmetic products. Beiersdorf utilizes the latest scientific findings to improve its formulations and introduce new products that meet the changing needs of consumers. Furthermore, the company actively promotes collaboration with dermatological research institutions and universities to support knowledge transfer and the advancement of dermatology. Beiersdorf AG places great importance on sustainability and responsible corporate governance to address the challenges of climate change and to take appropriate measures that go beyond mere production.
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Frequently asked questions about Beiersdorf AG
What does Beiersdorf AG do?
Beiersdorf is ein führenthe Konsumgüterkonzern aus Hamburg with weltbekannten Marken: NIVEA, Eucerin, La Prairie, Hansaplast, Chantecaille and tesa. The company develops Hautpflege- and Gesandheitsprodukte.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen NIVEA und Eucerin von Beiersdorf?
NIVEA is Beiersdorfs Hauptmarke for Allgemeine Körperpflege. Eucerin is the thematologische Linie for empfindliche and problematische Haut and is also of Ärzten empfohlen.
Wo hat Beiersdorf seinen Hauptsitz?
Beiersdorf AG hat seinen Hauptsitz in Hamburg, Deutschland. The company is weltweit aktiv and führend in Hautpflege and Gesandheitsprodukten.
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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.