Takeda GmbH
Pharmaceutical Companies · Konstanz
Takeda GmbH is the German subsidiary of japanischen Pharmariesen Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, based in Konstanz. Key areas: Onkologie, Gastrointestinale Erkrankungen, seltene Erkrankungen, Neurowissenschaften und Plasmaprodukte.
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Takeda GmbH Address & Contact
Company profile
1781
Founded
50.000+
Employees
Overview of Takeda GmbH
Takeda GmbH is the German subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, a Japanese pharmaceutical company with roots dating back to 1781 and headquartered in Osaka (Japan). Thus, Takeda is considered one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world. In 2019, Takeda completed the acquisition of the Irish-American biopharmaceutical company Shire for approximately 62 billion US dollars, one of the largest pharmaceutical mergers in history, which made Takeda the world's leading company for rare diseases. With a strong focus on research and development, Takeda places special emphasis on innovative therapeutic approaches. The company employs around 50,000 people worldwide. The branch in Konstanz (Baden-Württemberg) plays a crucial role in the local availability of therapies and supporting the health care system in Germany.
Field of Activity & Products
Takeda is active in Germany in several strategic therapeutic areas that cover a wide range of patient needs. The main areas include oncology, rare diseases, neurology, gastroenterology, and the provision of plasma products. In oncology, products such as Ninlaro (Ixazomib), an orally administered medication for the treatment of multiple myeloma, and Alunbrig (Brigatinib), used for ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer, are of central importance. In the treatment of rare diseases, Takeda markets products from the former Shire portfolio, including Humira-biologics, which are used to treat congenital enzyme deficiency diseases like Fabry disease and Gaucher disease, as well as products for the treatment of hemophilia, such as Advate and Adynovi.
In gastroenterology, Takeda offers Entyvio (Vedolizumab), a leading biologic for the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. This underscores the company's commitment to providing innovative and effective therapeutic options for patients with chronic conditions. In neurology, Vyvanse (Lisdexamfetamine) is a promising option for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, the plasma products portfolio includes immunoglobulins and albumin, including GLASSIA and HyQvia, which are used for a variety of immunological diseases.
History & Regulation
Takeda was founded in 1781 as a herbal medicine trader in Osaka and has evolved over several generations into a research-based pharmaceutical company that prioritizes innovation and patient orientation. Today, Takeda is among the top 10 pharmaceutical companies worldwide, with a strong focus on clinical research and the development of innovative therapies. In Germany, all products are subject to regulation by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The strict regulatory requirements ensure that the medicines marketed by Takeda are both safe and effective, thus strengthening the trust of doctors and patients in the company’s products. Furthermore, Takeda is an active member of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa), which allows the company to respond to developments in the industry and actively participate in discussions about the future of drug development.
The regional significance of Takeda in Konstanz is reflected not only in job creation but also in close collaboration with local research institutions and health facilities. These collaborations promote knowledge exchange and strengthen the region's innovative capacity in the biopharmaceutical industry, which is particularly important in times of digital transformation.
Further information: Pharmaceutical companies in Baden-Württemberg or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about Takeda GmbH
What does Takeda GmbH do?
Die Takeda GmbH umfasst with ihren medizinischen productsn the Gastro-Enterologie, the Onkologie and den gesamten Bereich of seltenen Krankheiten. Bei neuropsychiatrischen Erkrankungen erforscht and develops sie neue Therapiemöglichkeiten. Außerdem develops sie plasmabasierte Therapien, Impfstoffe and viele etablierte products u.a. at Schmerzen or Bluthochdruck.
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Pharmaceutical Companies in Germany
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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.