Schaper & Brümmer

What Schaper & Brümmer does

Schaper & Brümmer GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned German pharmaceutical company founded in 1923 in Salzgitter-Ringelheim, specializing in rational phytotherapy — the evidence-based use of plant-derived medicinal products. The company manufactures a portfolio of branded over-the-counter and prescription phytopharmaceuticals spanning seven therapeutic areas: respiratory infections (Esberitox family), menopausal symptoms (Remifemin family), urinary tract infections (Cystinol akut), premenstrual syndrome (Femicur N), sleep disorders and restlessness (Sedacur forte), sexual health (Remisens), and stress management (Vitango). Its competitive position rests on proprietary, clinically validated formulations, most notably the Immun-Aktivkomplex in Esberitox (a triple-plant combination of Baptisia tinctoria, Echinacea, and Thuja occidentalis shown in studies to shorten cold duration by 2–3 days) and the isopropanolic Cimicifuga racemosa (iCR) extract in Remifemin, evaluated in over 12,000 patients. The company holds the market-leading position in plant-based menopausal therapy in Germany and has secured the first-ever plant variety registration for Baptisia tinctoria (L).

The company operates a GMP-certified manufacturing and quality-control infrastructure covering finished pharmaceuticals, testing preparations, and active pharmaceutical ingredients, with 152 employees at its single Salzgitter-Ringelheim site (including 4 apprentices). Its go-to-market is sales-led through pharmacy distribution: products are sold over the counter and by prescription via the German Apotheke channel, supported by an external field sales force and a DocCheck-gated professional portal (Fachbereich) targeting pharmacists and physicians. Internationally, the company exports to over 40 countries through local distribution partners, with active markets in China, India, and South America. The company is a member of Pharma Deutschland e.V. and Chemie Nord (the regional employers' association for the chemical industry in northern Germany) and operates educational platforms including heilpflanzen-experten.de.

On April 23, 2021, Medice Arzneimittel Pütter GmbH & Co. KG acquired a 60% majority stake, integrating Schaper & Brümmer into the MEDICE Health Family while leaving it operationally independent. The transaction followed a multi-year revenue contraction beginning in 2017 driven by losses in the China market and exacerbated by COVID-19; the Medice partnership is positioned to stabilize the business and develop the rational phytotherapy segment within the broader group. The remaining 40% is held by founding-family members (Frauke Schwerdtfeger, Wiebke Schaper, Maike Schaper). Schaper & Brümmer has not raised any venture or private equity capital and is privately held with no public listing.

Name

Schaper & Brümmer

Legal name

Schaper & Brümmer GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://schaper-bruemmer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Schaper & Brümmer is a fourth-generation, family-owned German pharmaceutical company founded in 1923, specializing in clinically validated phytopharmaceuticals. It manufactures branded plant-based medicines including Esberitox, Remifemin, and Cystinol, distributed through pharmacies in Germany and over 40 international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Herbal Pharmaceuticals

SIC

Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Cold, Flu & Cough Remedies (HLAIADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Allergy, Sinus & Respiratory (Non-Asthma) (HLAIADAC), Cold, Flu, Cough & Allergy Remedies (Decongestants, Antihistamines, Cough Syrups, Lozenges) (CRADAMAD)

Keywords

• Phytopharmaceutical manufacturing
• Herbal medicine production
• Plant-based pharmaceuticals
• OTC cold remedies
• Menopause phytotherapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Salzgitter

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Phytopharmaceutical product sales: Revenue generated from the manufacture and sale of branded over-the-counter and prescription phytopharmaceutical preparations, including Esberitox, Remifemin, Cystinol, Femicur, Sedacur, Remisens, and Vitango. Distributed through pharmacies in Germany and exported to over 40 countries worldwide. Revenue was approximately €30 million as of 2013.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Schaper & Brümmer manufactures and sells branded phytopharmaceutical (plant-based) medicines including the Esberitox family for respiratory infections, the Remifemin family for menopausal symptoms, Cystinol for urinary tract infections, Femicur for PMS, Sedacur for sleep disorders, Remisens for sexual health, and Vitango for stress relief. Products are GMP-certified, distributed through pharmacies in Germany and exported to over 40 countries through international distribution partners.

Product overview

Schaper & Brümmer is a family-owned mid-sized pharmaceutical company specializing in rational phytotherapy (plant-based medicines). The company operates as a unified product portfolio of branded herbal medicines rather than a platform architecture. The core products fall into distinct therapeutic categories: (1) Esberitox family for cold/respiratory infections (Esberitox COMPACT, Esberitox, Esberitox Tabletten, Esberitox mono Tropfen, Esberi-Efeu Hustensaft), (2) Remifemin family for menopausal symptoms (Remifemin, Remifemin plus Johanniskraut, Remifemin mono, Remifemin FeuchtCreme), (3) Urinary tract products (Cystinol akut), (4) Women's health (Femicur N Kapseln for PMS), (5) Sleep/restlessness (Sedacur forte), (6) Sexual health (Remisens), and (7) Stress management (Vitango). The company maintains standalone product websites for major brands and a professional portal (Fachbereich) requiring DocCheck authentication for medical professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Esberitox Herbal cold medication for the whole family from age 4, containing the proprietary Immun-Aktivkomplex from baptisia (Färberhülse), echinacea (Sonnenhut), and thuja (Lebensbaum). Vegan, sugar-free, lactose-free, gluten-free.
• Esberitox COMPACT 5-fold concentrated herbal cold medication for adults and children 12+, containing the Immun-Aktivkomplex. Directly antiviral and immunostimulating, shown to shorten cold duration by 2-3 days.
• Remifemin Herbal medication for menopausal symptoms containing Cimicifuga racemosa extract, alleviating hot flashes, sweating, and sleep disturbances. Clinically studied in over 12,000 patients; market leader in plant-based menopausal therapy in Germany.
• Remifemin plus Johanniskraut Combined herbal product with Cimicifuga racemosa and St. John's Wort for menopausal symptoms including psychological complaints such as depressive states, nervousness, and irritability.
• Remifemin mono Single-dose Cimicifuga racemosa extract for milder physical menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and excessive sweating.
• Remifemin FeuchtCreme Medical device moisturizing vaginal cream for treating dryness symptoms during menopause. Addresses vaginal dryness, burning, pain during intercourse, and itching in the outer intimate area.
• Cystinol akut Herbal medication containing bearberry leaf dry extract for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, including cystitis and bladder infections.
• Femicur N Kapseln Herbal medication containing monk's pepper fruit dry extract for menstrual cycle disorders, premenstrual complaints (PMS), and mastodynia.
• Sedacur forte Beruhigungsdragees Herbal calming medication containing valerian, hops, and lemon balm for restlessness and nervous sleep disorders.
• Remisens Traditional herbal aphrodisiac containing Turnera diffusa (damiana) extract for declining sexual desire.
• Vitango Herbal stress relief medication with Rhodiola rosea special extract (WS 1375). Dual action: reduces stress hormones and increases energy and stress tolerance.

Quantifiable outcome

• Esberitox shortens common cold duration by 2–3 days (based on clinical study with equivalent formulation)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 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

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Allianz für die RegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development partnership aimed at strengthening the Salzgitter region. Schaper & Brümmer participates as a local anchor company supporting regional economic initiatives.
• Bündnis für ChancengleichheitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for equal opportunities, with Schaper & Brümmer recognized by the Total E-Quality association for its commitment to gender equality and family-friendly HR policies.
• Pharma Deutschland e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchaper & Brümmer is a member of Pharma Deutschland (formerly BAH), the German pharmaceutical industry association, which supports regulatory, policy, and networking interests for the phytopharmaceutical sector.
• Chemie Nord (Employers' Association for the Chemical Industry in Northern Germany)minorOthersSchaper & Brümmer is a tariff-bound company (tarifgebunden) and member of Chemie Nord, the regional employers' association for the chemical industry in northern Germany, which governs collective bargaining agreements and employment standards.
• United Kids FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA children's charity initiative that Schaper & Brümmer supports through corporate social responsibility activities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Protina Pharmazeutische GmbH: Protina is a German mid-sized pharmaceutical company focused on mineral-based and plant-based OTC products, particularly magnesium compounds and herbal remedies. Comparable to S&B in scale, German pharmacy distribution focus, and emphasis on natural ingredient-based OTC formulations.
• Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH: Heel is a German pharmaceutical company specializing in bioregulatory and homeopathic medicines with broad OTC portfolio in respiratory, women's health, and musculoskeletal indications. Comparable to S&B in distribution model (pharmacy-led), German mid-size footprint, and multi-indication natural medicine portfolio.
• Cefak KG: Cefak is a German mid-sized pharmaceutical company specializing in phytopharmaceuticals, homeopathic remedies, and dietary supplements distributed through pharmacies. Comparable to S&B in scale, German pharmacy channel focus, and plant-based OTC portfolio across respiratory and women's health.
• Bionorica SE: Bionorica is a leading German phytopharmaceutical company specializing in evidence-based herbal medicines for respiratory (Sinupret, Bronchipret), urological, and gynecological indications. It is the closest direct competitor to Schaper & Brümmer in rational phytotherapy with similar GMP manufacturing, pharmacy distribution, and clinical evidence positioning.
• Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG: Dr. Willmar Schwabe is one of the world's largest manufacturers of plant-based pharmaceuticals, with flagship products like Umckaloabo and Tebonin. Directly comparable to S&B as a German family-influenced phytopharm leader with strong clinical evidence base and global pharmacy distribution.
• Pascoe pharmazeutische Präparate GmbH: Pascoe is a German family-owned pharmaceutical company focused on phytotherapy, homeopathy, and natural medicine with strong pharmacy distribution. Comparable to S&B in mid-sized German family-business heritage, plant-based OTC portfolio, and emphasis on evidence-backed herbal formulations.
• Klosterfrau Melisana GmbH: Klosterfrau is a German OTC company specializing in traditional herbal and natural remedies for cough, cold, digestive, and women's health indications. Comparable to S&B in German pharmacy distribution focus, plant-based OTC portfolio, and mid-sized heritage brand positioning.
• Madaus GmbH (Rottapharm): Madaus is a German phytopharmaceutical company (part of Rottapharm/Daiichi Sankyo group) with strong positions in urological, gynecological, and cold/flu herbal medicines. Directly comparable to S&B in therapeutic area overlap (Cystinol vs. Madaus uro products), family-business heritage, and pharmacy-channel distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Sanofi Consumer Healthcare (Mephisto/Naturprodukte): Sanofi's consumer healthcare division operates a broad portfolio including herbal and natural OTC brands across Europe. It is a broad incumbent comparable to S&B in pharmacy-channel OTC distribution but with vastly greater scale, marketing resources, and category breadth.
• Bayer Consumer Health (Steigerwald): Bayer's Steigerwald unit in Germany manufactures and distributes established herbal OTC brands. It is a broad incumbent with significantly larger scale, broader portfolio, and global reach than S&B, but overlaps directly with S&B in plant-based pharmacy products for cold, sleep, and women's health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/schaperbruemmer

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Schaper & Brümmer