Santen GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · München
Santen GmbH is the German subsidiary of japanischen Pharmaunternehmens Santen Pharmaceutical Co, based in München.
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Santen GmbH Address & Contact
Company profile
1890
Founded
5.000+
Employees
Santen GmbH Overview
Santen GmbH is the German subsidiary of Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a Japanese specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Osaka. Founded in 1890, Santen has developed into a leading provider in the field of ophthalmology, not only in Japan but also in other regions of Asia. With a listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and a workforce of around 5,000 employees worldwide, Santen is a significant player in the global pharmaceutical industry. In Europe, the company has its regional headquarters in Helsinki (Finland), while the German branch in Munich is responsible for the growing ophthalmology market in Germany.
Field of Activity & Products
Santen has focused exclusively on ophthalmological medicines and medical products. In the German market, Santen offers both prescription therapeutics and over-the-counter eye care products, which are available to specialists (ophthalmologists) and pharmacies. Some well-known products include:
- Ikervis (Ciclosporin 1 mg/ml eye drop emulsion) for the treatment of severe dry eye with keratitis in adults - the first ciclosporin preparation for the eye in the EU.
- Glaucoma therapeutics, which include important active ingredients such as beta blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and prostaglandin analogs.
- Antibiotic-containing eye drops and ointments used to treat bacterial infections.
- Corticosteroids for the eye that have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Eye moisturizers that help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms associated with dry eyes.
With its comprehensive product range, Santen has established a market-strategic position in Germany as a full-range supplier in ophthalmopharmacology. Particularly noteworthy is the company’s ability to provide innovative solutions for pathologies that are becoming increasingly prevalent in society, such as dry eye.
Strategy & Regulation
Santen's strategic direction is clearly defined: the company focuses on ophthalmology, without diversifying into other therapeutic areas. This focus allows Santen to concentrate specialized research and development resources to develop novel therapeutic approaches. All products are subject to strict regulatory requirements and are regulated by both the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These regulatory agencies ensure the safety and efficacy of the products offered on the German and European market.
Additionally, Santen maintains close collaborations with ophthalmological professional societies, scientific institutions, and universities in Germany and Europe. These partnerships enable the company to integrate research findings into clinical practice, continuously improving patient care. The close cooperation with experts ensures that Santen remains at the forefront of scientific advancements and can provide innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of patients.
Regional Importance
Santen GmbH has established itself as an important partner in the German healthcare system. Through close collaboration with specialists and pharmacists, the company helps improve ophthalmological care in Germany. Santen advocates for educational programs and awareness campaigns to raise awareness about eye diseases and promote early detection. This is particularly important as many ophthalmological conditions can lead to severe impairments if untreated.
More information: Pharmaceutical companies in Bavaria or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about Santen GmbH
What does Santen GmbH do?
Santen GmbH hat sich als Pharmaundernehmen on the Augenheilkande spezialisiert. Therapiegebiete are Glaukom, trockene Augen, Allergien, Augeninfektionen and Katarakt. Schwerpunkt the research liegt on the development and Vermarktung of Augenheilwithteln ohne Konservierungsstoffe.
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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.