WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
Pharmaceutical Companies · Böblingen
WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG is a pharmaceutical company based in Böblingen, 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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WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG Address & Contact
Company profile
1971
Founded
600+
Employees
WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG Overview
WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG is a medium-sized, owner-managed German pharmaceutical company based in Böblingen (Baden-Württemberg). The company was founded in 1971 by Günter Wörwag and has remained in family ownership to this day. WÖRWAG Pharma employs around 600 staff and operates internationally in more than 40 countries, primarily in Central and Eastern Europe as well as the CIS region. The company specializes in products for the treatment of diabetes complications and microangiopathies. WÖRWAG's philosophy is based on continuous research and development to offer innovative therapies that enhance the quality of life for patients.
Fields of Activity & Products
WÖRWAG Pharma is particularly known for its products for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathies and microangiopathies (damage to small blood vessels that often occur as a complication of diabetes). The most well-known product is Milgamma, a combination of thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) and B vitamins used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. This product has established itself as an important therapeutic solution not only in the German market but also internationally.
- Thioctic acid: Thioctic acid, known for its antioxidant properties, is used in diabetic polyneuropathy and supports nerve regeneration.
- Vitamin preparations: These include essential B vitamins, which are important for both the neurological and cardiovascular fields.
WÖRWAG's sales strategy includes close collaboration with pharmacies, endocrinologists, and diabetologists to ensure that relevant products reach patients efficiently. Additionally, the company is active in the continuing education of professionals to optimize the use of its products.
Internationalization & Regulation
WÖRWAG Pharma has a strong market position in Eastern European countries and operates subsidiaries and representations there to directly address the specific needs of these markets. International activities are supported by the pursuit of quality and regulatory standards. All of the company's medicines are subject to regulation by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) as well as corresponding European and national authorities. This ensures that WÖRWAG's products meet high quality and safety standards.
The company manufactures its products in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, which ensure quality at all stages of the production chain. Furthermore, WÖRWAG Pharma is a member of the Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI), which promotes direct access to the latest information and educational resources, thereby supporting innovations in the field of drug development.
Regional Significance & Particularities
WÖRWAG Pharma has not only established itself internationally but also plays a significant role in the Baden-Württemberg region. As a valuable employer, the company contributes to the economic stability in Böblingen and supports numerous local initiatives and projects in healthcare. Close collaboration with universities and research institutions in the region promotes knowledge exchange and the development of new therapies.
Additionally, WÖRWAG is known for its commitment to sustainability. The company relies on environmentally friendly production methods and actively participates in initiatives to protect the environment. This includes, among other things, minimizing waste and supporting sustainability projects that promote both human health and the health of the planet.
This combination of long-standing experience, quality in product development, and social engagement makes WÖRWAG Pharma one of the outstanding companies in the pharmaceutical industry in Germany and beyond.
More information: Pharmaceutical companies in Baden-Württemberg or all pharmaceutical companies in Germany on Sanoliste.
Frequently asked questions about WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
What does WÖRWAG Pharma do?
WÖRWAG Pharma GmbH & Co. KG stellt verschreibungspflichtige Präparate, OTC-products and Nahrungsergänzungswithtel her. Schwerpunkt liegt on Prävention and Behandlung of Zivilisationskrankheiten. Weitere Anwendungsschwerpunkte are diabetische Folgeerkrankungen and Neuropathien. Das Immunsystem stärken and den Bewegungsapparat understützen, are also Ziele in the Medikamentenentwicklung.
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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.