Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) - Axial Spondyloarthritis Association Germany

What Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) - Axial Spondyloarthritis Association Germany does

Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) is a federally recognized, charitable patient self-help organization (eingetragener Verein, gemeinnützig) headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany, founded on 19 April 1980. It serves people living with Morbus Bechterew (ankylosing spondylitis) and broader axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) — a chronic rheumatic disease — addressing chronic pain, mobility limitations, and an average diagnostic delay of approximately seven years. The organization is the largest such network in Germany, serving over 13,500 members through 14 state associations (Landesverbände) and approximately 330 local groups nationwide, complemented by specialized sub-networks for women (Frauennetzwerk) and young patients (Junge Bechterewler).

Its product and service stack includes the axSpA-Connect online community platform, the Morbus-Bechterew-Journal (print and digital), the MBJ-App for mobile access, the MDR-compliant Axia Medical App for digital therapy, an exercise video library (Aktiv-Tipps), a Diagnosetest self-assessment tool, a Gruppenfinder locator, telephone counseling services, and printed brochures. These are delivered through a hybrid distribution model combining the 330-strong local-group network and self-serve digital channels, supported by a small core staff of seven paid employees plus extensive volunteer engagement.

The organization's revenue model is non-commercial and diversified across recurring annual membership dues (undisclosed; number not public), statutory health insurance self-help grants (GKV-Gemeinschaftsförderung of €160,000 in 2025 under §20h SGB V), individual donations and regular donor programs (Förderer), corporate sponsorship (notably BARMER for the homepage and MBJ app), and modest course fees (e.g., a €29.90 mindfulness program for members). It is governed by a voluntary Bundesvorstand chaired by Andreas Brodbeck, with Prof. Dr. Martina Säße as Deputy Chair, Eckard Bathe as Managing Director, and operates with charitable status under German tax law.

Name

Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) - Axial Spondyloarthritis Association Germany

Legal name

Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V.

Website

https://bechterew.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

DVMB is Germany's largest patient self-help organization for Morbus Bechterew and axial spondyloarthritis, serving over 13,500 members through 14 state associations and approximately 330 local groups, complemented by digital platforms including axSpA-Connect and the MBJ app.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Patient Advocacy and Chronic Disease Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Professional Organizations (81392), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

Keywords

• Patient self-help organization
• Chronic disease support
• Axial spondyloarthritis services
• Medical counseling support
• Community health network

Headquarters

HQ city

Schweinfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from over 13,500 members that form the primary recurring revenue stream for the organization.
2. Donations and Sponsorships: Regular donations from supporters and one-time contributions. The homepage is funded through statutory health insurance self-help support (GKV-Gemeinschaftsförderung) pursuant to § 20h SGB V, with BARMER as a key sponsor.
3. Förderer (Regular Donors) Program: Regular donor program where supporters make ongoing contributions to enable events, support self-help groups, and provide resources for those affected.
4. Government Funding: Self-help funding from statutory health insurance companies (GKV-Gemeinschaftsförderung) providing €160,000 in 2025 for self-help at federal level.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

DVMB is Germany's largest patient self-help organization for people with Morbus Bechterew (ankylosing spondylitis) and axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA). It delivers member-based services including medical, legal, and patient counseling, specialized exercise training (Funktionstraining), peer-to-peer support, educational seminars, and digital tools such as the axSpA-Connect online community, the Morbus-Bechterew-Journal publication, the MBJ mobile app, exercise videos, and a national network of approximately 330 local groups coordinated through 14 state associations.

Product overview

Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) operates a multi-channel support ecosystem for axial spondyloarthritis patients in Germany. The core offering centers on the axSpA Connect online community platform and the Morbus-Bechterew-Journal, supported by a dedicated MBJ-App for digital access. Additional services include the Bechterew-ABC reference tool, a Diagnosetest for symptom assessment, a Gruppenfinder for locating local support groups, Aktiv-Tipps exercise videos for at-home movement guidance, and telephone counseling services. The organization also produces printed brochures and publishes educational content covering diagnosis, therapy, and daily living with the condition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• axSpA Connect: Digital platform for axial spondyloarthritis patients to share experiences, access expert forums, and find peer support.
• Morbus-Bechterew-Journal (MBJ)
• axSpA-Connect
• Junge Bechterewler
• Frauennetzwerk
• Kurze Nacht des Morbus Bechterew
• Morbus Bechterew eJournal

Products and services

• axSpA Connect Online community platform where people with axial Spondyloarthritis share experiences, find peer support, and access reliable disease information through expert forums and community areas.
• Morbus-Bechterew-Journal (MBJ) Official journal/magazine of DVMB published regularly with scientific research reports, patient stories, and practical tips for people with Morbus Bechterew and axSpA.
• Bechterew eJournal Digital edition of the Morbus-Bechterew-Journal providing current news and reports from science, research, and DVMB activities, accessible via a dedicated app.
• MBJ-App Mobile application available on iOS and Android providing access to the Bechterew eJournal, news, research reports, and practical tips for axSpA patients.
• Bechterew-ABC Alphabetical glossary of terms related to Morbus Bechterew providing explanations and definitions for patients and caregivers.
• Diagnosetest Online diagnostic aid enabling individuals to self-assess potential symptoms of Morbus Bechterew or axial spondyloarthritis.
• Gruppenfinder (Group Finder) Directory tool enabling patients to locate DVMB local support groups across Germany.
• Aktiv-Tipps (Exercise Videos) Collection of exercise videos and movement tips specifically designed for Morbus Bechterew patients to maintain mobility and manage symptoms.
• Telephone Counseling Phone-based counseling services provided by DVMB, including medical, legal, and patient counseling channels for members.
• Broschüren (Brochures) Printed informational brochures about Morbus Bechterew covering diagnosis, therapy, and daily living with the condition.
• Axia Medical App Digital therapy application for axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) compliant with European Medical Device Regulations (MDR), awarded by the German Morbus Bechterew Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 13,500 members served across Germany through local groups and state associations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Partners4Patients FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVMB co-organizes the 'Patienten brauchen Forschung' (Patients Need Research) event series with the Partners4Patients Foundation, an international non-profit organization working to strengthen the patient perspective in science, industry, and politics.
• m&i Fachklinik Bad PyrmontminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal group in Bad Pyrmont uses the teaching kitchen of the m&i specialist clinic for cooking workshops, demonstrating community partnership with healthcare facilities.
• German Rheumatology Congress (Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDVMB participates in the annual German Rheumatology Congress where 'Science meets Self-Help', demonstrating the organization's role in connecting research with patient perspectives.
• Deutsche Rheuma-LigaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern collaborates with the Rheuma-Liga and Fibromyalgia League for joint events around World Rheumatism Day.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spondylitis Association of America (SAA): US-based nonprofit dedicated exclusively to ankylosing spondylitis and related spondyloarthritis. Closely comparable to DVMB in disease-specific focus, member services, education, and advocacy, though operating in a different geography.
• National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS): UK-based charity serving people with axial spondyloarthritis. Highly comparable to DVMB in mission, member services, and local group structure, but operating primarily in the UK.
• Deutsche Morbus-Bechterew-Stiftung: The German Morbus Bechterew Foundation is closely affiliated with DVMB and funds research on the same disease. It awards the Bechterew Research Prize and operates as a complementary disease-specific organization in the German axSpA ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Rheuma-Liga: Germany's largest general rheumatology patient organization, covering all forms of rheumatic disease including axSpA. Directly comparable to DVMB as a German nonprofit patient advocacy group; broader scope but overlapping audience and co-organizes events such as World Rheumatism Day.
• Arthritis Foundation: Largest US national arthritis nonprofit, covering all forms including axSpA. Comparable to DVMB's broader German peer Deutsche Rheuma-Liga in scope and member services, though primarily US-focused.
• Versus Arthritis: UK-based large charity covering all forms of arthritis including axial spondyloarthritis. Comparable to DVMB's broader peer Deutsche Rheuma-Liga in terms of scope, scale, and funding model.

Regional players

• Schweizerische Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew (SVMB): Swiss counterpart to DVMB, serving German-speaking axSpA patients in Switzerland. Highly comparable disease-specific patient organization with overlapping German-language content and similar structure.

Others

• EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology): European umbrella body for rheumatology societies and patient organizations. DVMB participates in events like the Deutscher Rheumatologiekongress and the EULAR network, making this a comparable peer organization at the federation level.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis International Federation (ASIF): International umbrella organization connecting national axSpA patient associations, including DVMB. Comparable as a peer-level ecosystem enabler rather than a direct service competitor.

Emerging players

• CreakyJoints / Global Healthy Living Foundation: Digital-first patient community and education platform for arthritis and related conditions including spondyloarthritis. Comparable to DVMB's digital offerings (axSpA Connect, MBJ App) in providing community-driven digital support, but operates globally and with broader disease scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-vereinigung-morbus-bechterew-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Vereinigung Morbus Bechterew e.V. (DVMB) - Axial Spondyloarthritis Association Germany