Heel

What Heel does

Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, operating as Heel, is a privately held German pharmaceutical company founded in 1936 and headquartered in Baden-Baden, Germany. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes natural medicines composed of multiple plant- and mineral-derived ingredients (tablets, drops, ampules, creams, pellets) intended to activate the body's self-regulation mechanisms rather than suppress symptoms. Its human-health portfolio includes flagship brands such as Neurexan (nervousness and sleep), Traumeel (musculoskeletal pain), Vertigoheel (vertigo), Engystol (immune/cold), and Dermaveel (atopic dermatitis, based on Ectoin and lamellar cream technology), supported by a broader catalog of Homaccord combinations, Cosmochema specialty drops, and topical preparations. A parallel veterinary line (Traumeel ad us. vet., Nurexan ad us. vet., Engystol ad us. vet., Mobeel, Gasteel Vet) is distributed through veterinarians and the Vetepedia portal, with MedibiotiX serving as a probiotic-supplement subsidiary.

Heel's commercial model is built on pharmacy-channel distribution in Germany: products are sold over-the-counter or by prescription through all major physical pharmacies and 13+ online pharmacy platforms (Shop Apotheke, DocMorris, Medikamente-per-Klick, Sanicare, among others), and selected statutory health insurers reimburse non-prescription natural medicines as voluntary benefits. The company employs 1,001–5,000 people, holds regulatory approvals supervised by Regierungspräsidium Tübingen, and operates EU-based subsidiaries for cross-border distribution. Brand and community engagement is reinforced via the annual Heel-Lauf running event in Baden-Baden and a multi-platform social media presence. Leadership consists of Managing Directors Ralph Schmidt (Chairman) and Marc Deschler; ownership is private with no parent company disclosed.

Name

Heel

Legal name

Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH

Website

https://heel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH, founded in 1936 in Baden-Baden, Germany, manufactures and distributes natural homeopathic medicines — including Neurexan, Traumeel, Vertigoheel, Engystol, and Dermaveel — for human and veterinary health through German pharmacies and veterinarians across select EU markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeopathic Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Sleep, Stress & Mood Support (HLAIADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

OTC Pain Relief & Fever (Analgesics, Anti-inflammatory, Topical Pain Relief) (CRADAMAC), Dermatology OTC & Skin Health (Acne Treatments, Eczema/Psoriasis OTC, Antifungals, Wart Removal) (CRADAMAF), Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Dermatology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAL), Specialty & Condition-Specific Nutraceuticals (e.g., Liver, Eye, Endocrine) (HLAMALAO)

Keywords

• Homeopathic medicines
• Natural pharmaceuticals
• Veterinary medicines
• OTC medications
• Dermatology products

Headquarters

HQ city

Baden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Heel generates revenue through sales of its natural medicines (OTC and prescription) distributed via pharmacies to end consumers. Products include human medicines (e.g., Neurexan, Traumeel, Vertigoheel, Engystol, Dermaveel) and veterinary medicines (e.g., Traumeel ad us. vet., Nurexan ad us. vet., Engystol ad us. vet.). Many products are available without prescription, while some require prescription.
2. Statutory Health Insurance Reimbursement: Costs for Heel's non-prescription natural medicines are reimbursed by many statutory health insurers (gesetzliche Krankenkassen) as voluntary benefits. Patients pay upfront and submit claims for reimbursement (typically 30-500 EUR per year depending on the insurer).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH manufactures and distributes natural, multi-component homeopathic medicines for human and animal health. The portfolio spans tablets, drops, ampules, and topical creams addressing conditions such as sleep disorders, musculoskeletal pain, vertigo, immune support, skin conditions, and pediatric nervousness. Products are sold primarily through German pharmacies, with both OTC and prescription items.

Product overview

Heel is a German pharmaceutical company (Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH) specializing in natural medicines and medical devices. The product portfolio consists of two main categories: human health products (Für den Menschen) and veterinary products (Für das Tier). Human products include Neurexan® (relaxation/sleep), Traumeel® (musculoskeletal), Vertigoheel® (vertigo), Engystol® (immune system/cold), Dermaveel® (atopic dermatitis), Valerianaheel® (nervousness/stress), Ypsiloheel® N (nervous complaints), Lunafini® (children's sleep), and Nervoheel® N (sleep quality/nervous symptoms). These are complemented by numerous Homaccord combinations, Injeel injection solutions, and Cosmochema specialty products. Veterinary offerings include Nurexan, Traumeel, and Engystol in veterinary formulations, plus Mobeel (mobility), Gasteel Vet (gastrointestinal), and Heel Vet Pro as a professional sub-brand. The company also produces topical products (Arnica-Creme-Heel S, Calendula-Salbe-Heel S, Hamamelis-Creme-Heel S) and various globuli (pellets) for different therapeutic indications. Heel positions itself around the concept of 'Healthcare designed by nature,' emphasizing natural active ingredients that stimulate the body's self-regulation mechanisms. The company manufactures in Baden-Baden, Germany, and operates Vetepedia as a dedicated veterinary information portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Neurexan Natural medication for relaxation and sleep disorders, effective against nervousness and stress. Sold OTC in German pharmacies.
• Traumeel Musculoskeletal pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication for sports injuries and everyday mobility issues. Sold OTC in German pharmacies.
• Vertigoheel Natural medication that reduces the number, duration, and intensity of vertigo attacks. Sold OTC in German pharmacies.
• Engystol Immune system strengthening medication for the early signs of colds and respiratory infections. Sold OTC in German pharmacies.
• Dermaveel Medical device cream for relieving symptoms of atopic dermatitis and eczema without cortisone, containing 5.5% Ectoin and skin-related lipids (ceramides, squalane) in a lamellar base.
• Valerianaheel Natural medication against nervousness that alleviates stress-related restlessness and exhaustion, supporting restful sleep.
• Ypsiloheel N Natural medication for nervous complaints such as palpitations, throat tightness, and stress-related digestive issues.
• Lunafini Product promoting natural sleep onset in children with nervous restlessness and sleep disorders.
• Traumeel ad us. vet. Veterinary formulation of Traumeel for musculoskeletal issues in animals, distributed through veterinarians and Vetepedia.
• Nurexan ad us. vet. Veterinary formulation for animals addressing nervousness and sleep-related issues, distributed through Vetepedia.
• Mobeel Veterinary mobility support product distributed through veterinarians.
• Gasteel Vet Veterinary gastrointestinal support product distributed through veterinarians.
• MedibiotiX Gut health probiotic supplement product line marketed under the MedibiotiX subsidiary.
• Heel Vet Pro Professional veterinary product line from Heel targeted at veterinary practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Many statutory health insurers reimburse Heel medicines as voluntary benefits

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Dechra Pharmaceuticals: Specialty veterinary pharmaceuticals company (now part of the EQT-owned group) focused on companion-animal health. Comparable to Heel's vet business in the route-to-veterinarian distribution model and condition-specific product lines.

Direct peers

• Boiron: World's largest homeopathic medicines manufacturer, headquartered in France. Comparable to Heel as a pure-play homeopathic OTC producer distributed primarily through pharmacies, with overlapping product categories (sleep, pain, cold, dermatology).
• Klosterfrau Melisana: German maker of traditional natural/herbal OTC medicines (e.g., Klosterfrau Melissengeist). Comparable to Heel in natural-OTC positioning and German pharmacy channel, though heavier in traditional herbal remedies than classical homeopathy.
• Wala Heilmittel: German manufacturer of anthroposophic and homeopathic medicines, including the well-known Weleda-adjacent brand portfolio. Closely comparable to Heel in therapeutic positioning, dosage forms (ampules, drops, tablets), and natural-ingredient philosophy.
• Hevert Arzneimittel: German family-owned homeopathic and phytopharmaceutical company. Competes with Heel in homeopathic combination products for sleep, stress, pain, and cold indications via German pharmacy distribution.
• Weleda: Swiss-German manufacturer of natural medicines and natural cosmetics. Directly comparable to Heel in positioning around anthroposophic/natural formulations, multi-category OTC portfolios, and pharmacy-channel distribution in DACH.
• Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals: German-based homeopathic and phytopharmaceutical manufacturer. Direct competitor to Heel in homeopathic single remedies and combination preparations sold through German pharmacies.
• Deutsche Homöopathie-Union (DHU): Subsidiary of Schwabe and one of Germany's largest homeopathic medicine producers. Competes head-to-head with Heel in the same pharmacy shelves across similar OTC homeopathic indications.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer (Consumer Health): Global consumer-health and pharma giant with a sizable OTC portfolio sold through German pharmacies. Competes with Heel for OTC shelf space and consumer mindshare, but with a vastly larger portfolio spanning conventional analgesics, vitamins, and dermatology.

Regional players

• Vetoquinol: European veterinary pharmaceuticals company headquartered in France. Relevant peer for Heel's Heel Vet / Vetepedia / heelvetpro veterinary line—similar business model of selling animal-health products through veterinarians, but with a more conventional pharma portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HeelLauf
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/heel-deutschland
• Instagraminstagram.com/heellauf
• TikToktiktok.com/@heel_inside

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Heel