Medinova

What Medinova does

Medinova AG is a Swiss specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zürich that develops and markets prescription drugs (Rx), over-the-counter (OTC) products, medical devices, and cosmetics across four therapeutic fields: gynaecology (primary), dermatology, phlebology, and insomnia. The portfolio consists of seven core brands - ZinCream Medinova (zinc oxide 20% dermatology cream), Hirudoid and Hirudoid forte (heparinoid MPS-based venous-care products), Cystinol (bearberry-leaf urinary-tract tablets), and the Gynoflorelle VGN line (prebiotic wash and probiotic gel containing live Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and L. plantarum) - sold predominantly through pharmacy and drugstore channels.

The business is operated as an asset-light marketing and distribution entity: since 2004, Medinova has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DKSH Group, and all physical production is executed through contract manufacturers. Its commercial model combines a daily-visit field sales force serving Swiss pharmacies with international distribution coordinated from Zürich via qualified partners in more than 65 countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. Educational outreach to healthcare professionals is delivered through 30+ accredited webinars per year (in partnership with PharmaSuisse, since 2018) and industry-conference sponsorships including the ISIDOG Congress and the company's own Medinova Young Researcher Award (MYRA, launched 2025).

Customer segments are diversified by design: end consumers (patients) and pharmacists/doctors as recommenders in the primary channel, plus business partners and distributors as commercial counterparties internationally. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and products are positioned as science-based specialty brands leveraging an 80-year operating heritage (founded 1945), ISO 13485 medical-device certification, and Swiss regulatory credibility within the DKSH network.

Name

Medinova

Legal name

Medinova AG

Website

https://medinova.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Medinova AG is a Swiss pharmaceutical company that develops and markets prescription drugs, OTC products, and medical devices across dermatology, gynaecology, phlebology, and insomnia, distributing through a daily pharmacy field force in Switzerland and qualified partners in 65+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Pharmaceuticals

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (32541), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Care Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Endocrinology & Reproductive Health Pharmaceuticals (incl. Women’s Health) (HLAIAAAJ), Dermatology & Aesthetics Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAK)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical products
• Prescription drugs
• Over-the-counter medications
• Dermatology products
• Gynecology products

Headquarters

HQ city

Zürich

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products Sales: Medinova generates revenue through the marketing and distribution of prescription drugs (Rx), over-the-counter products (OTC), medical devices, and cosmetics. Products are sold through pharmacies and drugstores in Switzerland and internationally through partner networks.
2. International Distribution: The company coordinates international marketing from its Swiss headquarters, bringing products to market via qualified partners across more than 65 countries. Regional focus includes Europe, Asia, and selected countries in Central and South America.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Medinova AG develops and markets specialty pharmaceutical products across four therapeutic fields: dermatology, gynaecology, phlebology, and insomnia. The portfolio includes prescription drugs (Rx), over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products, medical devices, and cosmetics. All physical production is handled through contract manufacturers, with Medinova focusing on formulation, branding, regulatory management, lifecycle management, and distribution across 65+ countries.

Product overview

Medinova is a Swiss pharmaceutical company with an 80-year heritage (established 1945, integrated into DKSH Group in 2004) that develops and markets prescription drugs (RX), over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products, medical devices, and cosmetics. The product portfolio spans four therapeutic fields: dermatology (ZinCream Medinova® for skin conditions), gynaecology (Gynoflorelle® VGN prebiotic/probiotic product line for vaginal health), phlebology (Hirudoid® and Hirudoid® forte for venous conditions), and insomnia (Cystinol® for urinary tract support and related products). The portfolio is distributed to patients in over 65 countries through qualified partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZinCream Medinova®: Zinc oxide cream paste for diaper rash, minor scrapes, irritations, and as adjuvant treatment for fungal and bacterial skin infections.
• Hirudoid®
• Hirudoid® forte
• Cystinol®
• Gynoflorelle®

Products and services

• ZinCream Medinova®

Quantifiable outcome

• 80 years of improving lives through science-based solutions
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• YUN N.V.regionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2023Partnership between Medinova AG Switzerland and YUN N.V. for introducing Gynoflorelle intimate care products (New Generation of Intimate Care in 2 Steps) to markets in Germany and Switzerland. Gynoflorelle VGN products include prebiotic wash and probiotic gel formulations.
• KSK-Pharma Vertriebs AGregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 August 2023Collaboration between Medinova AG and KSK-Pharma Vertriebs AG for entering the German market with VIVIFLOR products. KSK-Pharma handles distribution and sales in the German market.
• DKSH (Diethelm Kellergroup Holding)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Medinova AG became part of the Diethelm & Co AG group and was later integrated into the Swiss DKSH Group in 2004. As part of DKSH, Medinova operates within a global network for marketing pharmaceutical products internationally. DKSH provides distribution capabilities and infrastructure enabling Medinova to reach 65+ countries.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Perrigo Company: Major global consumer self-care (OTC) and specialty pharma company with dermatology, women's health, and personal care products. Operates as a broader, larger-scale OTC/consumer health incumbent while Medinova operates in adjacent specialty categories.
• STADA Arzneimittel: Large European specialty and consumer healthcare company with OTC, dermatology, and women's health product lines distributed broadly across European and international markets. Comparable in portfolio mix (OTC/Rx, dermatology, gynecology) but at substantially larger scale than Medinova.

Direct peers

• Organon & Co. Global pure-play women's health pharmaceutical company with portfolios spanning contraception, fertility, and gynecology. Directly comparable to Medinova's gynaecology focus, and similarly positions on specialty women's health brands distributed via partners across international markets.
• CooperSurgical: Women's health-focused medical device and pharmaceutical company (part of CooperCompanies) serving gynecology, reproductive health, and intimate care. Closely aligned with Medinova's gynecology and intimate-care (Gynoflorelle) focus on prescription and consumer products.
• Gedeon Richter: Hungarian-headquartered specialty pharmaceutical company with a strong women's health franchise (gynecology, fertility, menopause). Comparable in targeting niche women's health indications and distributing branded specialty pharma via partner networks across Europe and emerging markets.
• Pierre Fabre Group: French pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic group with heavy emphasis on dermatology (and oncology). Directly comparable to Medinova's dermatology emphasis (ZinCream) and franchise model in OTC dermatology.
• Theramex: Specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to women's health with a focus on reproductive health, menopause, and gynecology. Comparable to Medinova's boutique specialty positioning in women's intimate care and OTC/Rx portfolio in mature European therapeutic markets.
• HRA Pharma: Consumer healthcare company specializing in women's health and dermatology self-care products in Europe. Direct overlap with Medinova's positioning across Gynoflorelle-style intimate care, OTC gynecology, and dermatology self-care categories.
• Exeltis: Global specialty pharmaceutical company focused on women's health and dermatology. Overlaps with Medinova's portfolio in gynecology, intimate care, and dermatology products distributed across 50+ countries via a licensing/partner model.
• Angelini Pharma: Privately held European specialty pharmaceutical company with women's health and consumer health products. Comparable to Medinova in being an independent specialty firm marketing branded pharmaceuticals in select European and emerging markets through distribution partners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MedinovaAG
• Instagraminstagram.com/medinova_ag

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Medinova