What Bionorica SE does

Bionorica SE is a German, family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1933 and headquartered in Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Bavaria. The company develops, produces, and distributes scientifically validated herbal medicines (rational phytopharmaceuticals) under its proprietary "Phytoneering" methodology — a vertically integrated approach spanning proprietary seed selection, GACP-compliant cultivation (its own land on Mallorca plus contract farmers in Austria, France, and Hungary), controlled extraction including proprietary vacuum drying to preserve essential oils and flavonoids, and clinical validation through more than 500 partner universities, clinics, and research institutes worldwide. The portfolio is organized around six therapeutic areas: respiratory (Sinupret, Bronchipret, Imupret N, Tonsipret), urology (Canephron), gynecology (Agnucaston, Mastodynon, Klimadynon), dermatology (Bionorica Derma Line), liver (Silimarit), and digestion (Digestopret). The company also operates Phytoneering Extract Solutions GmbH, a B2B subsidiary selling plant extracts, distillates, tinctures, and fresh plant juices to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, veterinary, and food supplement customers.

Bionorica generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of branded OTC phytopharmaceutical products distributed through pharmacy channels in more than 45 countries. Distribution uses a hybrid model: own scientific field sales forces and dedicated sales branches in Germany, Austria, Poland, Russia, Spain (Madrid opened July 2024), and other key markets, supplemented by local distribution partners and pharmacy cooperative (Apothekenkooperationen) relationships in additional geographies. The Phytothek pharmacy partnership concept and direct physician education drive recommendation-led demand. Pricing is not publicly disclosed but reflects branded OTC positioning. In 2025 the Bionorica Group generated €559 million in revenue with a reported 88.5% equity ratio, employed more than 2,370 people globally (with the majority in Germany), and held market-leading positions in phytopharmaceuticals in Germany, Russia, and large parts of Eurasia. The company has been continuously owned and led by the Popp family across three generations, with Prof. Dr. Michael A. Popp serving as CEO since 1989.

Name

Bionorica SE

Legal name

Bionorica SE

Website

https://bionorica.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1933

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Bionorica SE is a German, family-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1933 that develops and sells scientifically validated herbal medicines (Sinupret, Bronchipret, Canephron, and other brands) through pharmacies in more than 45 countries, generating €559 million in 2025 revenue with leading market positions in phytopharmaceuticals across Germany, Russia, and Eurasia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Phytopharmaceuticals (Herbal Medicines)

NAICS

Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Botanical & Herbal Extracts (Adaptogens, Polyphenols, Essential Oils, Standardized Extracts) (AFAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Herbal medicines
• Phytopharmaceutical products
• Plant-based therapeutics
• OTC pharmaceuticals
• Botanical drug manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Neumarkt In Der Oberpfalz

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Phytopharmaceutical Product Sales: Revenue generated from sales of herbal medicinal products across therapeutic areas including respiratory, women's health, urology, liver, and digestive health. Products are sold in over 45 countries with market leadership positions in Germany, Russia, and large parts of Eurasia.
2. Phytoneering Extract Solutions GmbH: Subsidiary company selling plant extracts, distillates, tinctures, and fresh plant juices to external customers for use in pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, veterinary medicine, and food supplements. Also focuses on active ingredients derived from fiber hemp that do not fall under narcotics legislation.
3. Bionorica extracts S.L. Spanish subsidiary on Mallorca handles cultivation of medicinal plants, direct extract production, and quality control. Produces thyme extracts for Bronchipret and serves external customers of Phytoneering Extract Solutions GmbH.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bionorica SE develops, manufactures, and markets scientifically researched herbal medicinal products (phytopharmaceuticals) under its proprietary "Phytoneering" methodology. The product portfolio spans respiratory health, urology, gynecology, medical skincare, liver support, and digestive health, and is sold primarily through pharmacy channels in more than 45 countries. The company also produces and sells standardized plant extracts to external pharmaceutical, cosmetics, veterinary, and food supplement manufacturers via its subsidiary Phytoneering Extract Solutions GmbH.

Product overview

Bionorica SE is a leading global manufacturer of scientifically researched herbal medicines (phytopharmaceuticals) headquartered in Neumarkt, Germany, with over 2,300 employees. The company's product portfolio follows a multi-brand, multi-indication strategy organized around six therapeutic areas: respiratory tract (Atemwege), urinary tract (Harnwege), gynecology (Gynäkologie), medical skincare (Medizinische Hautpflege), digestion (Verdauung), and liver (Leber). The core product lines include Sinupret® (sinusitis treatment with 5-plant combination available in eXtract, forte, tablet, juice, and drop forms), Bronchipret® (cough/bronchitis remedy with thyme/ivy in liquid, drop, tablet, and lozenge forms), Imupret® N (cold prevention with 7-plant combination in drops and tablets), Tonsipret® (sore throat treatment in tablets and drops), Canephron®/Uno (urinary tract support with rosemary/lovage/centaury in multiple formulations), Agnucaston® (PMS/cycle disorders with vitex), Mastodynon® (breast tension with vitex in tablets and liquid), Klimadynon® (menopause symptoms with black cohosh), Bionorica® Derma Line (medical skincare for dry skin/eczema), Digestopret® (digestive disorders/irritable bowel), and Silimarit® (liver support with milk thistle). The company operates under its proprietary 'Phytoneering' methodology, combining traditional plant medicine with modern pharmaceutical research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phytoneering Extract Solutions GmbH: Subsidiary dealing with sales of plant extracts, distillates, tinctures and fresh plant juices for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, veterinary medicine and food supplements
• Bionorica research GmbH
• Bionorica extracts S.L.
• Phytothek
• Natureheart Foundation for Kids
• Michael Popp Institut
• Phytovalley

Products and services

• Sinupret Herbal medicinal product for treating acute and chronic sinusitis; combines five medicinal plants (primrose, gentian, sorrel, elder, and verbena) to relieve mucus, open nasal passages, and reduce pressure headaches. Available in tablets, juice, drops, forte, and eXtract dosage forms. Germany's best-selling cold remedy by revenue.
• Bronchipret Herbal cough and bronchial remedy combining thyme and ivy extracts; provides 3-fold effect calming cough, loosening mucus, and combating inflammation. Marketed as Germany's leading herbal cough remedy. Available as syrup, drops, film-coated tablets, and thyme lozenges.
• Imupret N Herbal cold prevention and treatment product featuring a 7-plant combination (chamomile, marshmallow, horsetail, yarrow, walnut, dandelion, oak); strengthens immune defense and combats cold progression. Available in dragees and drops.
• Tonsipret Herbal sore throat treatment combining medicinal paprika (capsaicin), phytolacca, and lignum vitae; capsaicin inhibits throat pain while other ingredients combat inflammation. Available in tablets and drops.
• Canephron Traditional herbal medicinal product for urinary tract infections combining rosemary leaves, lovage root, and centaury; provides pain-relieving, antispasmodic, bacteria-flushing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Available as Uno (once-daily), N Dragees, and N Tropfen. Proven non-inferior to antibiotics in acute uncomplicated cystitis in a 2018 international clinical study.
• Agnucaston 20 mg Herbal product containing vitex agnus-castus (monk's pepper) for treating menstrual disorders, PMS symptoms, and cycle irregularities in women.
• Mastodynon Herbal preparation for treating breast tension and swelling associated with premenstrual syndrome, containing vitex agnus-castus and other botanical ingredients. Available as tablets and liquid mixture.
• Klimadynon Herbal product containing black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for treating menopausal symptoms including hot flashes, depressive moods, and sleep disturbances. Available as Klimadynon Uno once-daily formulation.
• Bionorica Derma Line Medical skincare line for people with dry skin and atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis), developed by the herbal medicine manufacturer.
• Digestopret Herbal preparation for treating persistent and recurring digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
• Silimarit Herbal liver product containing standardized silymarin extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for liver disorder support.
• Phytoneering Extract Solutions (B2B Plant Extracts) Subsidiary offering wholesale plant extracts, distillates, tinctures, and fresh plant juices to external customers in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, veterinary medicine, and food supplement industries. Also offers active ingredients derived from fiber hemp that do not fall under narcotics legislation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sinupret is the best-selling cold remedy in Germany by revenue (IQVIA OTC Report)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Michael Popp Institut für pflanzliche Wirkstoffforschung (University of Innsbruck)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Opened January 2020 as one of the largest research facilities for plant substance research in Austria. Two endowed professorships funded by the State of Tyrol and Michael A. Popp nature science foundation with approximately 5 million Euro total investment. Goal is to research the healing power of plants and develop new therapy approaches for common diseases.
• Over 500 Universities and Research Institutions (Global Research Network)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Bionorica cooperates with over 500 leading institutes, clinics and universities worldwide for research and development of phytopharmaceuticals. Particularly intensive cooperation with partners in Innsbruck, in the Phytovalley - a globally unique center for natural substance research.
• Austrian Drug Screening Institute (ADSI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2012Research company of Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck dedicated to drug screening - systematic search for new active ingredients and development of new methods. Bionorica is exclusive partner in phyto research. Joint goal: comprehensive pharmacological and analytical characterization of medicinal plant extracts.
• Ehrenberg-Bass Institute for Marketing Science (Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-year partnership announced March 2025 for evidence-based strategies in consumer marketing. Bionorica will work with the institute to apply cutting-edge marketing science to their consumer communications.
• Canopy Growth CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term research cooperation agreed with sale of Bionorica's cannabis division to Canopy Growth Corporation effective May 1, 2019. Bionorica sold its cannabis business while maintaining research collaboration in this area.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Consumer Health: Large consumer health division of Bayer AG offering herbal and OTC brands (e.g., Aspirin, Iberogast) via global pharmacy retail; broader portfolio but overlapping channels and indications.
• Haleon: Global consumer healthcare spin-off from GSK with leading OTC and natural health brands; competes with Bionorica in respiratory, women's health and pharmacy distribution at much larger scale.
• Boehringer Ingelheim (Consumer Health): Family-owned German pharmaceutical group with a consumer healthcare portfolio that includes herbal/plant-based OTC products (e.g., Mucosolvan, Bisolvon), comparable in DACH footprint and pharmacy-led GTM.
• Sanofi Consumer Healthcare: Sanofi's consumer healthcare business markets herbal and OTC products (e.g., Mucosolvan, Dulcolax) via global pharmacy channels, comparable in channel and OTC positioning, though not specializing in phytos.

Direct peers

• A. Vogel / Bioforce: Swiss herbal medicine company selling standardized plant-based OTC products through pharmacy channels across Europe; comparable to Bionorica in therapeutic areas (respiratory, women's health) and natural-claim branding.
• Salus-Haus: German manufacturer of herbal medicinal products, teas and natural cosmetics, distributed through pharmacies and health-food retail; overlaps with Bionorica in plant-based OTC and the DACH pharmacy channel.
• Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals: German family-owned manufacturer of clinically researched herbal medicines (e.g., Tebonin/Kinkgo, Crataegutt, Valverde), directly comparable to Bionorica in business model, channel mix and phytopharmaceutical positioning.
• Boiron: French global leader in homeopathic and herbal medicinal products sold through pharmacies worldwide; similar pharmacy-led GTM, multi-country distribution and emphasis on natural OTC alternatives.
• Engelhard Arzneimittel: German family-owned OTC pharmaceutical company with strong positions in respiratory (Prospan) and dermatology, comparable to Bionorica in size, channel focus and herbal-versus-synthetic OTC positioning.

Regional players

• Phytopharm Klęka: Polish herbal medicinal products manufacturer and Bionorica's direct regional competitor in Central Europe; similar phytoneering-style product portfolio but primarily focused on the Polish and CEE markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bionorica-se

Compliance2 records

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 Bionorica SE