Contipro

What Contipro does

Contipro a.s. is a privately held Czech biotechnological company founded in 1990 and headquartered in Dolní Dobrouč, producing ultra-pure hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) via fermentation of the non-GMO, non-animal bacterium Streptococcus zooepidemicus. The company operates across seven integrated product lines: active pharmaceutical ingredients (sodium hyaluronate API in the 7–2300 kDa molecular weight range), HA-based medical devices (Hyiodine, Sicalm HA, Sorelex, Fascigel HA), anti-aging cosmetic raw materials, veterinary pharmaceuticals (Bonharen, Geloren Dog), research-grade hyaluronan specialities, nutritional supplements (the Geloren brand), and the proprietary 4SPIN electrospinning device platform for nanofiber production. Manufacturing is GMP-certified, CEP-certified by EDQM, and FDA-audited, with ISO 9001 and ISO 13485 quality systems; approximately half of all employees work in R&D.

The company monetizes primarily through direct B2B sales of ingredients and devices to global pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device manufacturers, supplemented by distribution partnerships for the consumer-facing Geloren joint nutrition line and direct sales to veterinary clinics and research institutions. Go-to-market combines direct technical sales specialists, trade show presence (in-cosmetics global, CPHI), and content-driven thought leadership, with sales reaching over 70 countries. Reported revenue exceeded 2 billion CZK for two consecutive years as of April 2022, and recent investments include a new high-capacity Geloren production line (October 2023), an analytical center expansion (September 2021), and an ultrapure hyaluronan production line (May 2015) — supported by participation in six EU research consortia targeting regenerative medicine, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis applications.

Name

Contipro

Legal name

Contipro a.s.

Website

https://contipro.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Contipro a.s. is a Czech biotech company founded in 1990 that biotechnologically manufactures ultra-pure hyaluronic acid for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, medical device, veterinary, and consumer supplement markets, with sales in over 70 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hyaluronic Acid Biomanufacturing

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Medicinal and Botanical Manufacturing (325411)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Biochemicals & Bio-based Platform Chemicals (cellulose sugars, lignin derivatives, organic acids) (IMAMALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biodegradable Medical & Hygiene Materials (absorbables, disposables substrates) (IMAEAOAL), Nanocellulose & Cellulose Derivatives (CNC/CNF, MCC, ethers/esters) (IMAMALAD)

Keywords

• Sodium hyaluronate production
• Pharmaceutical hyaluronic acid
• Hyaluronan derivatives manufacturing
• Medical device biomaterials
• Cosmetic active ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Dolni Dobrouc

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients: Sale of ultra-pure sodium hyaluronate as pharmaceutical ingredient to drug manufacturers, suitable for ophthalmic surgery, joint injections, wound healing, and tissue engineering applications. Revenue generated through direct B2B sales with GMP and CEP certifications.
2. Medical Devices: HA-based medical devices including Hyiodine (wound care), Sicalm HA (dental), Sorelex (chronic wounds), and Fascigel HA (back pain treatment). Sold through healthcare channels.
3. Cosmetic Ingredients: Anti-aging cosmetic raw materials including hyaluronic acid derivatives, peptides, and other active substances sold to cosmetics manufacturers. Products include HyRetin, HySilk, HyActive, OligoHyaferre, Clodessine, HyWhite, and others.
4. Nutritional Supplements: Geloren joint nutrition products in gummy form containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, hydrolyzed collagen, and vitamin C. Distributed through retail stores and online channels.
5. Veterinary Products: Veterinary pharmaceuticals and medical devices including Bonharen (joint treatment for animals), Geloren Dog, and Geloren HA for horses, Anigran (wound healing device).
6. Research Grade Materials: Hyaluronan specialities including sodium hyaluronate, oligosaccharides, and derivatives for research institutions and pharmaceutical industry R&D. Direct sales to scientific universities and medical/pharmaceutical companies globally.
7. 4SPIN Devices: Electrospinning devices for nanotechnology production, sold to research institutions and companies requiring nanofiber manufacturing capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Contipro biotechnologically manufactures ultra-pure sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) via fermentation of non-GMO Streptococcus zooepidemicus bacteria, producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, HA-based medical devices, veterinary pharmaceuticals, cosmetic anti-aging ingredients, and nutritional supplements. The company also produces electrospinning devices (4SPIN) for nanofiber manufacturing and offers research-grade hyaluronan specialities to scientific institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Geloren: Joint nutrition supplement brand including Geloren Active (gummies for humans) and Geloren DOG/Geloren HA (for veterinary use). Developed based on years of research by Contipro scientists, containing hyaluronic acid and other joint-supporting ingredients.
• 4SPIN

Products and services

• Sodium Hyaluronate API (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient) Ultra-pure sodium hyaluronate produced via biotechnological fermentation in a molecular weight range of 7-2300 kDa, GMP-certified and manufactured in an FDA-audited facility. Suitable for pharmaceuticals, medical devices, tissue engineering, and biotechnology applications including ophthalmic surgery, joint injections, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Sold to pharmaceutical manufacturers globally.
• Hyiodine (Wound Care Medical Device) Sterile medical device based on hyaluronic acid for wound covering and hydration, designed for the treatment of chronic and complicated wounds. Sold through healthcare channels.
• Sicalm HA (Dental Medical Device)
• Sorelex (Chronic Wound Medical Device) Sterile medical device based on hyaluronic acid for chronic wound healing. Sold through healthcare channels.
• Fascigel HA (Back Pain Medical Device) Injectable medical device based on hyaluronic acid for myofascial back pain treatment. Sold through healthcare channels.
• Bonharen (Veterinary Joint Treatment) Intravenous veterinary medicinal product based on hyaluronic acid for joint treatment in animals, administered exclusively by veterinarians. Became synonymous with 'veterinary joint treatment' in central Europe.
• Geloren Dog and Geloren HA (Veterinary Joint Supplements) Joint nutrition supplements in gummy form containing hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, hydrolyzed collagen, and vitamin C, designed for dogs (Geloren Dog) and horses (Geloren HA). Distributed through veterinary channels and pet retail.
• Geloren Active (Human Joint Nutrition Supplement) Joint nutrition supplement in gummy form for human consumption, containing hyaluronic acid and other active ingredients in jelly form with fruit flavours (later expanded with blackberry flavour in October 2023). Sold through pharmacies, drugstores, health shops, and fitness outlets.
• Nutrihyl (Nutritional Grade Hyaluronic Acid) Nutritional grade hyaluronic acid ingredient for use in nutritional supplement formulations, sold as a B2B raw material.
• Anti-Ageing Cosmetic Ingredients (HyRetin, HySilk, HyActive, OligoHyaferre, Clodessine, HyWhite) Range of anti-aging cosmetic raw materials including hyaluronic acid derivatives, peptides, and other active substances (including HyRetin, HySilk, HyActive, OligoHyaferre, Clodessine, and HyWhite) sold to cosmetic manufacturers for use in anti-aging skincare, dermal fillers, and serums.
• Hyaluronan Specialities (Research Grade Materials) Research-grade hyaluronic acid sodium salt, tailor-made oligosaccharides, and innovative hyaluronan derivatives sold directly to scientific universities, medical, and pharmaceutical industries for use in scientific research, laboratory experiments, and academic studies.
• Hyaluronan Forms (Nanofibers, Microfibers, Hydrogels, Thin Films, Polymeric Micelles) Different physical forms of hyaluronan for novel applications: HA-based nanofibers (50-1200nm), microfibers (50-150 µm), hydrogels (60-1000 kDa, stiffness 0.5-20 kPa), thin films (5-60 µm), and polymeric micelles (20-100 nm) for wound dressings, scaffolds for tissue engineering, drug delivery carriers, and medical device coatings.
• 4SPIN Electrospinning Devices Patented electrospinning devices for nanotechnology production, sold to research institutions and companies requiring nanofiber manufacturing capabilities. Produces fibers in various structures including stacked layers, tubes, and large sheets.

Quantifiable outcome

• Revenue exceeding 2 billion CZK for two consecutive years (as of 2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Prof. Luboš Sobotka, MD, Ph.D.coreOthersHead of 3rd Department of Metabolic Care & Gerontology at Medical Faculty Hradec Kralove, Charles University in Prague. Scientific Advisory Board member providing expertise in metabolic care and gerontology.
• Assoc. Prof. Jiří KučeríkcoreOthersDirector of Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Environmental Protection at Brno University of Technology. Scientific Advisory Board member providing expertise in environmental chemistry.
• Prof. Mgr. Lukáš Kubala, Ph.D.coreOthersHead of Department Institute of Biophysics at Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Scientific Advisory Board member providing biophysics expertise.
• Prof. MUDr. Jakub Suchánek, Ph.D.coreOthersDentist at Charles University Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove. Scientific Advisory Board member providing dental expertise related to Sicalm HA product.
• Prof. MUDr. Jiří Páral, Ph.D., MBA, FICScoreOthersHead of Surgery Clinic and Department of Military Surgery at University Hospital Hradec Králové. Scientific Advisory Board member providing surgical expertise.
• IMMODGEL ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research project developing hyaluronan-based scaffolds to avoid immune reactions following implant surgery. Contipro contributes expertise in non-cytotoxic crosslinking reactions enabling cell incorporation.
• AMCARE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean research program developing natural materials and surgical devices for stem cell delivery to promote heart healing after myocardial infarction. Contipro contributes HA-based materials expertise.
• DRIVE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTranslational research program developing advanced multimodal therapies and smart biomaterials for islet transplantation to treat diabetes mellitus. Contipro contributes HA biomaterials.
• NEURIMP ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject developing combination of biopolymers and manufacturing technologies for peripheral nerve implant containing intraluminal microstructure. Contipro contributes 4SPIN nanofiber technology.
• N2B-patch ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project developing multifunctional HA hydrogel for endoscopic application to olfactory area for regenerative treatment of multiple sclerosis. Contipro contributes hydrogel formulation expertise.
• PMSMatTrain ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project developing multi-modal hyaluronan-based materials for controlled drug release for treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis. Contipro supports early-stage researcher training.
• FYBICH Programme ParticipantsminorOthersSecondary school students contributing to research through FYBICH programme and professional internships, gaining experience while contributing to Atlas of Hyaluronan project.
• 4spin.infocoreTechnology or IntegrationDedicated website for 4SPIN electrospinning devices for nanofiber production. Integrated technology platform for nanotechnology applications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Galderma: Global dermatology-focused pharmaceutical company with a leading portfolio of HA-based aesthetic injectables and dermatological products. Comparable to Contipro's cosmetic and aesthetic HA ingredient business as a downstream customer and end-product peer.
• Kewpie Corporation: Major Japanese food and ingredient company with a sizable hyaluronic acid production business serving cosmetic and supplement markets. Comparable to Contipro's cosmetic and nutritional HA streams, though Kewpie operates across a much broader food portfolio.
• LG Chem (Life Sciences): Diversified Korean chemical conglomerate with a life sciences division producing hyaluronic acid dermal fillers and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Comparable to Contipro in HA-based aesthetics and pharma, though LG Chem's HA activity is part of a much larger specialty chemicals and battery materials portfolio.

Direct peers

• Bloomage Biotechnology: World's largest producer of hyaluronic acid via fermentation, serving cosmetic, medical, and food applications globally. Directly comparable to Contipro as a fermentation-based HA platform targeting overlapping end markets in pharma and personal care.
• Fidia Farmaceutici: Italian pharmaceutical company specializing in hyaluronic acid-based products for joint health (viscosupplementation), wound care, and ophthalmology. Closely mirrors Contipro's portfolio of HA-based APIs and medical devices targeting similar healthcare customers.
• Seikagaku Corporation: Japanese specialty pharma company with a leading portfolio of HA-based medical products including joint injections and ophthalmic viscosurgical devices. Direct overlap with Contipro's pharmaceutical HA and medical device businesses.
• Anika Therapeutics: U.S.-based specialty pharma company focused on HA-based orthopedic and regenerative medicine products (e.g., viscosupplementation, surgical hemostats). Comparable to Contipro in combining HA technology platforms with proprietary medical device commercialization.
• HTL Biotechnology: French biotech company and one of the world's leading producers of pharmaceutical-grade hyaluronic acid for medical and aesthetic applications. Directly comparable as a specialty fermentation-based HA manufacturer serving injectables, ophthalmology, and dermatology markets.
• Lifecore Biomedical: U.S. CDMO producing premium, injectable-grade hyaluronic acid and other polysaccharide-based materials for medical and aesthetic applications. Direct overlap with Contipro's GMP-certified sodium hyaluronate API offering for ophthalmic and orthopedic use.

Others

• Smith & Nephew: Global medical device company with a wound management franchise that includes HA-based wound dressings and scaffolds. Comparable to Contipro's Hyiodine and Sorelex HA medical devices in the advanced wound care end market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ContiproGroup
• Facebookfacebook.com/Contipro
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/contipro
• Instagraminstagram.com/contipro_official
• Xx.com/contiprogroup

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 Contipro