Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co

Name

Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co

Legal name

Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel

Website

https://drwolffgroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical and Consumer Health Products

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling, Treatments) (CRADANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Treatments & Scalp Care (Serums, Oils, Anti-dandruff, Growth) (CRABABAE), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Professional Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Treatments) (CRABALAB)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Consumer health products
• Caffeine hair care
• Dermatology formulations
• Professional salon cosmetics

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Revenue from prescription and OTC pharmaceutical products including dermatology (Linola), gynaecology (Vagisan), and the new hyperhidrosis treatment Axhidrox. Products sold primarily through pharmacies.
2. Consumer Cosmetics - Hair Care: Revenue from consumer cosmetic products including Alpecin (caffeine shampoos for men), Plantur (hair care for women), sold through pharmacies, retailers, and direct e-commerce.
3. Professional Salon Products - Alcina: Revenue from professional hair salon products including hair care, styling, coloring, and decorative cosmetics sold through B2B relationships with hair salons.
4. Oral Care Products: Revenue from Bioniq and Karex hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste and oral care products sold through pharmacies and retailers.
5. Licensing and Partnership Revenue: Revenue from licensing agreements with partners like Cantabria Labs for commercialization of GPB cream in Southern Europe, receiving upfront, milestone, and royalty payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel develops, manufactures, and commercializes a multi-brand portfolio of pharmaceutical, dermatological, gynecological, oral care and hair care products built on proprietary active-ingredient technologies. Its flagship brands include Alpecin (caffeine-based anti-hair-loss shampoos for men), Plantur (hair care for women), Alcina (professional salon cosmetics), Linola (skin care for dry and neurodermitic skin), Vagisan (women's intimate care), Bioniq and Karex (hydroxyapatite-based fluoride-free oral care), and the prescription drug Axhidrox (1% glycopyrronium bromide cream for primary axillary hyperhidrosis). Products are distributed primarily through pharmacies, hair salons, and owned e-commerce channels across more than 60 countries.

Product overview

Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co is a German pharmaceutical and cosmetics company organized under the Dr. Wolff Group umbrella. The company operates as a multi-brand portfolio business offering evidence-based pharmaceutical and consumer health products across dermatology, gynecology, and oral care categories. The core portfolio includes: Alpecin and Plantur (caffeine-based hair loss prevention brands for men and women), Alcina (professional salon cosmetics), Linola (dermatological skin care including treatments for neurodermatitis), Vagisan (gynecological intimate care), and Bioniq/Karex (hydroxyapatite-based fluoride-free oral care). The pharmaceutical division offers Axhidrox, a prescription-only anticholinergic cream for severe hyperhidrosis. The company conducts in-house research focused on active ingredients including caffeine, hydroxyapatite, linoleic acid, and glycopyrronium bromide, with products distributed internationally across 62+ countries through multiple global offices.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Alcina: Scientifically based cosmetics brand supporting hair salons with products for skin and hair care, styling, hair colors and decorative cosmetics.
• Alpecin
• Bioniq
• Linola
• Karex
• Plantur 39
• Plantur 21
• Vagisan
• Axhidrox

Products and services

• Alpecin Caffeine-containing shampoo brand focused on hereditary hair loss in men. The proprietary caffeine complex inhibits the negative influence of testosterone on the hair root, preventing hair loss. The range includes shampoos, tonics, and a care system for dry, flaky, and oily scalps. Sold globally through pharmacies, retailers, and e-commerce.
• Plantur 39 Hair care line for women specifically formulated for the prevention of hormone-induced hair loss in women over forty. Includes color care series and hyaluronic hair care series. Distributed through pharmacies, retailers, and e-commerce.
• Plantur 21 Hair care product line for young women based on nutri-caffeine complex that supports longer hair growth. Sold through pharmacies and retailers.
• Alcina Scientifically-based professional cosmetics brand supporting hair salons with products for skin and hair care, modern styling highlights, hair colors, and decorative cosmetics. Sold exclusively B2B through hair salons and beauty parlors in Germany and Europe.
• Bioniq Repair Toothpaste Toothpaste containing 20% artificial enamel (hydroxyapatite), allowing biomimetic tooth repair. Protects teeth against decay, plaque, and tartar while maintaining healthy gums. Sold through pharmacies and retailers.
• Karex Modern fluoride-free dental care alternative for caries prophylaxis using hydroxyapatite. Includes Kinder Karex for children and Junior Karex for the tooth-change phase. Distributed through pharmacies and retailers.
• Linola Skin care specialist for very dry, itchy, and neurodermitic skin, with over 75 years of heritage. Portfolio includes cosmetic products for skin care and pharmaceutical drugs for the therapeutic treatment of neurodermatitis. Includes Linola PLUS intensive care line with echinacea root extract. Distributed through pharmacies.
• Vagisan Leading brand in the pharmacy market for women's intimate care. Addresses vaginal dryness with hormone-free therapy products. Includes VagisanCare range for cosmetic intimate care. Sold primarily through pharmacies.
• Axhidrox Prescription-only drug containing 1% glycopyrronium bromide (GPB) cream for the treatment of severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. The first topical anticholinergic treatment approved in Europe. Blocks acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors responsible for sweat gland activation. Phase 3 trials showed ~197mg sweat reduction vs 83mg for placebo and 59.8% HidroQoL responders vs 26.2% for placebo.
• Alpecin Grey Attack Shampoo with color effect that reacts to atmospheric oxygen to gradually darken men's hair, providing a permanent gradual darkening effect.
• Linola Duo Medical skin care product with cortisone-free combination of active ingredients levomenol and heparin sodium. Counteracts inflammatory and allergic skin processes and alleviates itching.
• Linola Forte Medical intensive care product range for very dry, itchy problem skin, providing powerful relief through skin milk and cream formulations.
• Junior Karex Fluoride-free toothpaste designed for children from 6 years of age, targeting the tooth change phase. Based on hydroxyapatite technology for caries prophylaxis.
• VagisanCare Range Expanded gynaecological product line offering cosmetic care for the genital area, complementing Vagisan's hormone-free therapy products.
• Linola Sept Hand hygiene series including hand cleanser, hand disinfectant gel, and anti-Corona hand cream.
• Enhanced Alpecin Caffeine Shampoo with Caffeine/DMG Complex Enhanced Alpecin caffeine shampoo featuring a patented combination of caffeine and dimethylglycine (DMG) for reduced hair loss, improved hair density, and increased hair growth.

Quantifiable outcome

• Caffeine reduces hair loss and increases hair density during growth phase
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Cantabria LabscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 12 March 2021Strategic partnership for exclusive commercialization of 1% glycopyrronium bromide (GPB) cream (Axhidrox) in Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Dr. Wolff receives upfront, milestone, and royalty payments and remains exclusive supplier for finished product. Cantabria Labs leverages its dermatology expertise and distribution channels in Southern Europe.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Wella Company: Professional hair care and salon products company (Wella, Sebastian, Nioxin) owned by Kao. Direct peer to Dr. Wolff's Alcina brand through professional salon channel focus, B2B relationships with stylists, and similar scientific hair care positioning.
• STADA Arzneimittel AG: German specialty pharmaceutical company focused on dermatology, gynecology, and consumer health products. Direct comparable to Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co. KG Arzneimittel through German heritage, similar therapeutic areas (dermatology, gynecology), pharmacy distribution model, and ~€3-4B revenue scale.
• L'Oréal Active Cosmetics Division: L'Oréal's dermo-cosmetic division (La Roche-Posay, Vichy, CeraVe, SkinCeuticals) is the global leader in pharmacy-channel skincare. Comparable to Dr. Wolff's Linola and Bioniq portfolios through similar scientific positioning, dermatology endorsements, and consumer marketing approach.
• Almirall S.A. Spanish pharmaceutical company specializing in dermatology (including hyperhidrosis treatment Qbrexza/glycopyrronium cloth). Direct peer to Axhidrox through competing anticholinergic hyperhidrosis treatment in European markets; comparable business model to Dr. August Wolff.
• Beiersdorf AG: German multinational personal care company (Nivea, Eucerin, La Prairie) with strong dermo-cosmetic portfolio. Directly comparable to Dr. Wolff's Linola and Bioniq/Karex franchises due to similar pharmacy-led distribution model, German heritage, and dermatology/skin care focus.
• Dermapharm Holding SE: German specialty pharma company focused on dermatology, allergies, and OTC products. Closely comparable to Dr. Wolff through German-listed status, similar therapeutic focus (dermatology), pharmacy-led distribution, and comparable revenue size.
• Pierre Fabre Group: French dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical company (Avène, Ducray, A-Derma, Klorane). Direct comparable due to pharmacy distribution model, dermatology focus, family ownership structure, and similar size category to Dr. Wolff.

Broad incumbents

• Henkel Beauty Care: German multinational (Schwarzkopf, Syoss, Schauma) competing directly with Alpecin and Plantur in mass-market hair care. Comparable through overlapping consumer hair care category, pharmacy and mass retail distribution, and R&D-driven formulation expertise.
• Church & Dwight Co. American consumer products company (Batiste dry shampoo, Arm & Hammer, Trojan). Comparable to Dr. Wolff's consumer hair care (Alpecin) and personal care (Vagisan) brands through similar OTC consumer health positioning and pharmacy/retail distribution.

Others

• Cantabria Labs: Spanish dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical company (Heliocare, IFC) and Dr. Wolff's exclusive commercialization partner for Axhidrox in Southern Europe. Comparable portfolio of dermatologist-recommended products and the company's channel partner in three key European markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dr-kurt-wolff-gmbh-&-co-kg
• Instagraminstagram.com/drwolffgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dr. August Wolff GmbH & Co