Cesra

What Cesra does

Cesra Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of phytopharmaceutical medicines and medical cosmetics, founded in 1929 in Rastatt and headquartered in Baden-Baden-Haueneberstein with 45 employees at that site. The company develops plant-based active-ingredient products across several therapeutic segments: dermatology and skin inflammation under the ilon brand (using Tyrolean larch balsam and Nordic spruce resin formulations), sleep and restlessness under the Lioran brand (passionflower extract, acquired in 2022 from Niehaus Pharma), mild gastrointestinal complaints under the Gasteo brand (six-herb combination, also acquired 2022), and chronic venous insufficiency historically under Aescuven (spun off in August 2024 to Aescuven Pharma Deutschland). The wholly owned Ocean Pharma subsidiary (acquired 2018, Reinbek) supplies the Spirularin and skinicer brands for podiatrists and medical cosmetics studios, based on a patented 2014 extraction process for the Spiralin microalgae active ingredient with antimicrobial properties.

The company sells primarily through German pharmacies in a B2B2C model, with ilon Classic Ointment reported as available in virtually every German pharmacy and dedicated customer service infrastructure (phone, email, fax) for pharmacists and specialized personnel. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales via these pharmacy and professional channels; no subscription or tiered pricing is disclosed. International presence has historically included China, where Aescuven was sold as Mei Jii Ling and led the vein care market; that business was transferred to Aescuven Pharma Deutschland in August 2024.

Cesra operates under a unique German ownership structure: the company has no individual, family, or institutional shareholders receiving profits. Since the mid-1980s, after reinvestment in the company's viability, all remaining revenues are channeled to the affiliated Redel Foundation for humanitarian projects (in cooperation with Caritas International). The company is managed by Redel Pharma GmbH as general partner, with Ludger Kornfeld as representative. Cesra has received consecutive BSFZ seals (2024-2026) for R&D competence and consecutive SME Awards for Social Responsibility in Baden-Württemberg (2023-2025).

Name

Cesra

Legal name

Cesra Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://cesra.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cesra is a German phytopharmaceutical manufacturer founded in 1929, producing plant-based medicines and medical cosmetics (ilon, Lioran, Gasteo, Ocean Pharma brands) distributed through German pharmacies and professional channels, with all profits channeled to the Redel charitable foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Phytopharmaceutical medicines

NAICS

Pharmaceutical Preparation Manufacturing (325412), Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing (3254), Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833), Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844)

akta.pro primary industry

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF)

Keywords

• Phytopharmaceutical medicines
• Medical cosmetics
• Herbal dermatology products
• Plant-based therapeutics
• Wound care ointments

Headquarters

HQ city

Baden-baden

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pharmaceutical Product Sales: Cesra generates revenue through the sale of phytopharmaceutical medicines and medical cosmetics. All profits not reinvested in the company's future viability are channeled entirely to the affiliated Redel Foundation for charitable purposes — a unique arrangement in Germany.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Cesra is a German pharmaceutical manufacturer that produces and distributes phytopharmaceutical medicines and medical cosmetics based on plant-based active ingredients. Its core product lines include the Lioran sleep-disorder range, Gasteo gastrointestinal drops, ilon dermatology and wound-care ointments and Aescuven forte for chronic venous insufficiency. The company sells exclusively through pharmacies and to healthcare professionals, with internationally exported products including Aescuven forte in China.

Product overview

Cesra offers a portfolio of phytopharmaceutical medicines and medical cosmetics based on plant-based active ingredients. The product range includes: Lioran (acquired 2022) - passionflower-based products for calming and sleep support; Gasteo (acquired 2022) - gastrointestinal remedy with six medicinal herbs; ilon - the core pharmacy brand since 1929 for dermatology including Classic Ointment, Protect Ointment, Lip Cream HS, Insect Repellent, and WundXtra; and ocean pharma (acquired 2018) - subsidiary producing Spirularin and skinicer brands based on microalgae Spiralin. Cesra specializes in dermatology and chronic venous insufficiency treatments with products harnessing the self-healing powers of nature.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lioran: Herbal medicine brand featuring passionflower extract for calming, relaxation, and sleep support, including Lioran centra (for sleep problems) and Lioran classic (for tension, stress, and restlessness).
• Gasteo
• ilon
• ocean pharma
• Aescuven

Products and services

• Lioran centra

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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aescuven Pharma Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGminorOthers · 6 August 2024Effective August 6, 2024, pharmaceutical production and the Aescuven brand, established and expanded by Cesra, will be continued by Aescuven Pharma Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG following a successful spin-off. Under the brand name Mei Jii Ling, Aescuven continues to be sold in China where it is the market leader in the vein care market.
• Niehaus PharmacoreOthers · 31 October 2022On October 31, 2022, Cesra acquired the Lioran and Gasteo brands from Niehaus Pharma from Ingelheim. This strategic acquisition expanded Cesra's portfolio and strengthened its position in the German domestic market. Both companies share dedication to successful brand development and people's well-being.
• Ocean PharmacoreOthers · 1 January 2018In 2018, Cesra acquired Ocean Pharma from Reinbek near Hamburg. With its Spirularin and skinicer brands, Ocean Pharma specializes in innovative products for podiatrists and medical cosmetics studios. Ocean Pharma remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Cesra.
• Caritas InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Redel Foundation works in close cooperation with Caritas International to support social projects around the world transparently and efficiently. The foundation's work is based on the company founder's values of 'naturally helping' with full passion. Every euro received by the foundation is used for its designated purpose — helping victims of catastrophes, natural disasters, and war.
• Redel Stiftung (Redel Foundation)coreOthersThe Redel Foundation was established in 1988. All Cesra revenues not reinvested in the company's future viability are transferred directly to the foundation. According to the foundation charter, funds are used for charitable purposes to help people whose lives have been devastated by catastrophes, natural disasters, or war. This arrangement is unique in Germany's pharmaceutical sector.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Retterspitz: German family-owned herbal remedy manufacturer specializing in wraps, tinctures, and topical plant-based products. Comparable niche herbal/dermatology positioning within the German pharmacy channel.
• Klosterfrau: German herbal medicine manufacturer (Klosterfrau Melissengeist, Kytta) sold primarily through pharmacies. Directly comparable in OTC herbal remedies channel and German pharmacy footprint.
• Biologische Heilmittel Heel: German manufacturer of natural-origin medicines combining herbal and homeopathic active ingredients, distributed globally through pharmacies and practitioners. Comparable mid-sized specialty positioning with similar regulatory and channel dynamics.
• WALA Heilmittel: German manufacturer of anthroposophic and plant-based medicines and natural cosmetics sold through pharmacies and own channels. Comparable therapeutic breadth in dermatology/wound care and similar specialty channel exposure.
• Salus: German family-owned manufacturer of plant-based medicines, tonics, and herbal teas distributed through pharmacies and health food retail. Comparable niche herbal focus and long-standing brand portfolio.
• Bionorica: German family-owned phytopharmaceutical manufacturer specializing in plant-based medicines for respiratory, urological, and gynecological indications. Most direct comparable in terms of herbal active ingredient focus, German pharmacy distribution, and mid-sized specialty pharma positioning.
• Weleda: Swiss-German manufacturer of natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicines distributed through pharmacies and own retail. Overlaps with Cesra on plant-based dermatology, medical cosmetics, and the unique foundation/mission-driven ownership narrative.
• Dr. Willmar Schwabe: German-based global leader in phytopharmaceuticals, best known for the Echinacea/Echinapur and Tebonin (ginkgo) brands. Closely comparable therapeutic focus on clinically validated plant-based medicines distributed through pharmacies.

Broad incumbents

• Dermapharm: Larger German pharmaceutical company focused on OTC, dermatology, and brand pharmaceuticals distributed through pharmacies. Overlaps with Cesra on German pharmacy dermatology brands but at significantly greater scale and with broader therapeutic reach.
• Stada Arzneimittel: Major European generics and OTC consumer healthcare company with significant German pharmacy presence across multiple therapeutic categories. Comparable only in channel and German market; much broader portfolio and scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cesra

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 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 Cesra