Laves Arzneimittel GmbH

What Laves Arzneimittel GmbH does

Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH is a privately held, family-owned German pharmaceutical and dietary supplement company founded in 1908 by Prof. Dr. Ernst Laves and now in its fourth generation of family leadership under Jens-Christian Laves. The company specializes in the natural treatment of the gut and immune system (Naturheilkunde für Magen und Darm), with a portfolio that spans pharmaceutical preparations (Arzneimittel) and food supplements (Nahrungsergänzungsmittel). Its core technology revolves around enzyme and probiotic formulations derived from naturally occurring microorganisms and plant sources: endopeptidase and exopeptidase blends from Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, and Bacillus subtilis for gluten digestion (Sanaglu Laves), dual lactase (4,500 FCC units) and protease (50,000 HUT) combinations for lactose and protein digestion (Sanalact Pro Laves), plant-based bromelain/papain enzymes with lemon balm for stomach function (Sanagast Laves), porcine pancreatin (Pankreatin Laves 10,000 and 20,000 Ph.Eur. units) for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and bacterial preparations (Colibiogen, Lactobiogen, Sibosan, Pylosan) targeting gut flora, women's urogenital flora, and pediatric use. Adjacent OTC categories include microbiome skin care (Dermabiogen), antifungal solution (Gilt), and scar treatment cream (ScarSoft). All products contain measurable, documented enzyme units and bacterial formulations rather than novel APIs or biologics.

The company's business model is a single-channel OTC/Rx distribution model: products are sold exclusively through German pharmacies (Apotheke) on a unit-pricing basis, with no public pricing disclosure. Pricing is consistent across 30, 50, 60, 100, and 200 capsule/tablet pack sizes (e.g., Sanaglu Laves 30/60 capsules PZN 10793088/10793094; Pankreatin 20,000 Laves Mikro 50/100/200 capsules PZN 09385800/09385817/09385823). The company maintains dedicated content portals for therapists (Für Therapeuten, with a Kasuistik-Sammlung case study library) and pharmacies (Für Apotheken), a DocCheck-gated professional information portal, and the Laves Mediathek, which together form a practitioner-led recommendation funnel. A separate "Vertrieb International" page indicates a regional partner-distribution capability outside Germany, though the primary market remains DACH.

Revenue mechanics are entirely unit-based OTC and Rx sales; no subscription, licensing, recurring service, or enterprise contract revenue is indicated. The Pankreatin franchise is co-marketed with Nordmark Pharma GmbH (Nordmark holds the marketing authorization; Laves is Mitvertrieb), making Nordmark a critical single channel partner for the prescription portion of the portfolio. The company is a supporting member (Fördermitglied) of the Hufelandgesellschaft, the umbrella association of physician societies in naturopathic procedures, anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, ayurveda, and other complementary medicine methods, indicating deliberate embedding into the complementary-medicine prescriber ecosystem. Customer segments are horizontally distributed across digestive health, women's health, immune/dermatology, pediatric digestion, and pancreatic insufficiency, all served through the same pharmacy channel, with no anchor enterprise customer concentration visible in the input.

Name

Laves Arzneimittel GmbH

Legal name

Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH

Website

https://www.laves-pharma.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH is a fourth-generation German family-owned pharmaceutical and dietary supplement company founded in 1908, specializing in enzyme and probiotic formulations for digestive, gut-immune, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency indications, sold exclusively through German pharmacies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceuticals and Dietary Supplements

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Gastroenterology & Hepatology Pharmaceuticals (HLAIAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Probiotics & Digestive Health Supplements (CRADAGAF)

Keywords

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Dietary supplements
• Enzyme therapy
• Probiotic preparations
• Gut health products

Headquarters

HQ city

Schötz

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Products: Prescription and over-the-counter enzyme and probiotic preparations sold through pharmacy channels
2. Dietary Supplements (Nahrungsergänzungsmittel): Food supplements including Colibiogen, Synerga, Lactobiogen, and Sanalact products sold OTC in pharmacies

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH manufactures and sells enzyme-based pharmaceuticals (notably Pankreatin Laves for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency) and a portfolio of probiotic and enzyme dietary supplements (Colibiogen, Lactobiogen, Synerga, Sanagast, Sanalact Pro, Sanaglu, Sibosan, Pylosan) focused on gut flora, digestive health, and immune system support within the naturopathy field. All products are sold exclusively through pharmacies, with professional content targeted at therapists and physicians and select international distribution partners.

Product overview

Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH is a pharmaceutical and dietary supplement company specializing in natural treatment of the gut and immune system. Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Ronnenberg, Germany, the company offers a portfolio of both pharmaceutical medicines (Arzneimittel) and food supplements (Nahrungsergänzungsmittel). The product range includes: probiotic preparations (Colibiogen®, Lactobiogen® line including children and feminine variants), digestive enzyme supplements (Synerga®, Sanagast® Laves, Sanalact® Pro Laves, Sanaglu® Laves for gluten digestion), pancreatic enzyme replacements (Pankreatin 10,000 and 20,000 units for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency), microbiome-based skin care (Dermabiogen®), antifungal treatment (Gilt® Lösung), scar treatment (ScarSoft®), and other digestive support products (Sibosan®, Pylosan®). The company focuses on the gut-immune connection, with products addressing gut flora, mucous membranes, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatic weakness, urogenital infections, and skin conditions. Products are available exclusively through pharmacies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Colibiogen: Nutritional supplement product line including Colibiogen® oral and Colibiogen® Kinder for gut flora support
• Lactobiogen
• Synerga
• Sibosan
• Pylosan
• Pankreatin Laves
• Sanagast Laves
• Sanalact Pro Laves
• Sanaglu Laves
• Dermabiogen
• Gilt
• ScarSoft

Products and services

• Colibiogen® oral

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

Two partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hufelandgesellschaft e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaves-Arzneimittel GmbH is a supporting member of the Hufelandgesellschaft, the umbrella organization of physician associations in the fields of natural medicine, anthroposophic medicine, homeopathy, ayurveda, and other complementary medical practices.
• Nordmark Pharma GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNordmark Pharma GmbH (Pinnauallee 4, 25436 Uetersen) is the marketing authorization holder for Pankreatin products, with Laves-Arzneimittel GmbH as co-marketer (Mitvertrieb).

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Biologische Heilmittel Heel GmbH: Germany-based, family-influenced pharmaceutical company specializing in homeopathic and natural combination medicines; directly comparable to Laves as a German 'Naturheilkunde' specialist with a multi-product portfolio sold through pharmacies and HCP channels.
• BioGaia AB: Swedish probiotic specialist commercializing Lactobacillus reuteri strains across digestive, immune, and women's health; directly comparable product overlap (probiotic supplements, gut/immune positioning) and similar pharmacy/distributor channel model.
• Enzymedica: US-based enzyme supplement specialist selling digestive enzyme blends (including gluten/lactose/protein formulas) through health retail and practitioners; comparable enzyme-based OTC digestive-health positioning.
• Pileje: French independent pharmaceutical company focused on microbiota, digestive health, and nutritional supplements distributed through pharmacies and physicians; closely comparable microbiome/gut-health franchise and pharmacy-channel GTM.

Broad incumbents

• Yakult Honsha: Global probiotic dairy and supplement incumbent with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota; broader portfolio and scale, but overlapping gut-health probiotic positioning and franchise relevance.
• Solgar (Nestlé Health Science): Established vitamins and dietary supplements brand now owned by Nestlé Health Science; comparable OTC digestive-health and probiotic category presence, with far larger distribution and marketing budget.
• Nestlé Health Science: Global nutrition/health-care business with growing focus on gut health, microbiome, and GI medical foods; broader portfolio but directly competes for the same digestive-health consumer and prescriber.
• Allergan / AbbVie (GI portfolio): Major pharma with a significant gastroenterology specialty franchise (Creon, Linzess, etc.); comparable only at the prescription GI level (Pankreatin/pancreatic enzyme replacement), not at the OTC supplement layer.

Emerging players

• Bio-Kult (ADM Protexin): Multi-strain probiotic supplement brand owned by ADM's Protexin division; narrower brand presence but overlapping probiotic product positioning and pharmacy/health-store distribution.

Others

• Nordmark Pharma GmbH: German pharmaceutical manufacturer and marketing authorization holder for Laves' Pankreatin products; included as an adjacent partner/ecosystem player rather than a competitor, since Nordmark co-markets rather than competes with Laves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 Laves Arzneimittel GmbH