Guerbet GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · Main-Taunus-Kreis
Guerbet GmbH is the German subsidiary of the French specialist company Guerbet S.A., based in Sulzbach (Taunus). Guerbet is a global leader in the development and marketing of contrast agents for diagnostic imaging procedures.
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Guerbet GmbH Address & Contact
Company profile
1926
Founded
3.000+ (global)
Employees
Guerbet GmbH Overview
Guerbet GmbH, based in Main-Taunus-Kreis, Hesse, is a subsidiary of the French company Guerbet S.A., founded in 1926. As one of the global market leaders in contrast media, Guerbet is an innovative player in medical imaging. Through continuous development of its products, Guerbet GmbH plays a crucial role in diagnosing and treating numerous diseases by supporting specialists with modern solutions and contributing to the improvement of patient care.
Field of Activity & Products
The product range of Guerbet focuses on contrast agents used in CT (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), X-ray, and ultrasound. Among the products is Dotarem, a gadolinium-based contrast agent used in MRI, known for its safety and effectiveness. Lipiodol, on the other hand, is used in interventional radiology and embolizations, playing a key role in blocking specific blood vessels to target tumors. Furthermore, Guerbet offers innovative solutions in imaging IT aimed at improving workflow efficiency in radiological practices and hospitals, as well as optimizing the digital use of the generated image data.
- Dotarem: Gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agent.
- Lipiodol: Oil-based contrast agent for interventional procedures.
- Optiray: Iodine-containing contrast agent for X-ray and CT.
- GuerbetHub: Digital platform for managing image data and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
The products of Guerbet are used not only in Germany but also worldwide in hospitals, radiological practices, and in emergency medicine. This underscores the international relevance and high quality of the contrast agents distributed by Guerbet.
History & Regulation
Guerbet was founded in 1926 in France and has since developed into a global player in the contrast media industry. With around 3,000 employees worldwide, the company specializes in research, development, production, and marketing of its products. Guerbet maintains numerous branches and production sites in various countries, including a significant manufacturing presence in Germany.
Regulatory-wise, the products of Guerbet GmbH are subject to the requirements of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) as well as the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). The company's contrast agents are regulated as prescription medications and are developed and tested according to strict pharmaceutical standards to ensure safety and effectiveness for patients. To this end, Guerbet continuously invests in research and development to improve existing products and create innovative solutions for better outcomes in medical imaging.
The regional significance of Guerbet in Main-Taunus-Kreis should not be underestimated. The company's dedicated work not only creates jobs but also contributes to the economic development of the region. In addition, Guerbet is actively involved in collaborating with local educational institutions and universities of applied sciences to promote scientific exchange and train the next generations of professionals in healthcare.
Further information: Pharmaceutical companies in Hesse or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about Guerbet GmbH
What does Guerbet GmbH do?
Die Guerbet GmbH befasst sich with productsn zur diagnostischen Bildgebung, wie MRT and CT and with productsn zur interventionellen Bildgebung for Radiologie and Gynäkologie and offers dazu umfassende Lösungen and Dienste an. Zum Lieferumfang gehören verschiedene Arten of Kontrastwithteln, Zubehör and Verbralsosmaterialien.
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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.