75 Years in Business
Bionorica can look proudly back on 75 years of product development, research and innovation. Today the company is headed by Professor Michael Popp, grandson of Bionorica founder Josef Popp,1
1933
Company founded in Nuremberg, Germany by Josef Popp. An interest in medicinal plants led Josef Popp to research all information then available and subsequently undertake his own study of the subject. This research into botanical agents laid the foundation for Bionorica´s modern products.
Product launch of Sinupret® (for sinus support) and Tonsilgon® (for respiratory support).
1945
Pharmacist Erna Popp and Dr. Hans-Oskar Popp, a physician with an interest in naturopathy, take over second-generation management of the company. Erna Popp focuses on producing products on an industrial scale and Dr. Hans-Oskar Popp devotes his time and experience to developing and researching additional Bionorica products.
1970
Bionorica implements a large sales force for personal consultations with physicians in Germany.
1979
Bionorica is one of the first companies to begin testing herbal medicines in controlled double-blind studies. The company devotes ever more resources to science-based research.
1988
Due to company growth, Bionorica’s production facilities are moved to a large rural campus in Neumarkt, Bavaria.
1989
Dr. Michael Popp takes over management of Bionorica. This change in leadership brings with it intensive research in the areas of farming, plant analysis, pharmacology and toxicology. Michael Popp’s vision and leadership helps Bionorica become a worldwide pacesetter in herbal based products.
1993
Establishment of two firms, Herbextract and Mediplant, in Budapest, Hungary. This allows Bionorica to grow, harvest and develop its own plants—further increasing the company’s involvement in the research, development and testing of products and supplements.
1995
To promote the company and its products internationally, relationships are built with national and international distributors. Bionorica Extracts S.L. is founded on the island of Mallorca, Spain, where plants are cultivated and special extracts manufactured.
1996
A highlight of Bionorica research: the previously unknown anti-inflammatory action of sorrel is discovered.
1997
Re-approval of Sinupret® in Germany under the new German Drug Law. Sinupret cleared this strict set of legislation.
Bionorica begins growing its own thyme in Mallorca to have optimal source material for use in the manufacture of Bronchipret®. From seed selection to farming and extract production, Bionorica’s production processes are conforming to the highest quality standards.
The company establishes a representative office in Moscow, Russia; others follow in a number of Eastern European locations.
1998
Bionorica establishes a branch in Beijing, China.
1999
In addition to respiratory products, gynecologic products are among the company’s most successful preparations. Investigation of Vitex agnus-castus, or chaste tree, is one of the main areas of research. Bionorica succeeds in identifying the active substances in chaste tree that lower prolactin levels, thus actively combating menstrual symptoms.
2001
Bionorica becomes a public company. The company’s new slogan, “BIONORICA: The phytoneering company”, encompasses the company’s two-fold focus of “phyto” (decoding botanical agents) and “engineering” (the application of cutting-edge scientific methods).
Another location is established in Kiev, Ukraine.
2002
In June, Delta 9 Pharma, a Bionorica Group company, places the most pharmacologically useful substance from the hemp plant on the German market. The pure substance of this agent is delivered only to pharmacies. Because of its multiple actions, this cannabinoid can be used for pain therapy, multiple sclerosis and in complementary therapy for cancer and HIV. Of course, this product is strictly regulated and controlled by the German health authorities.
2003
Bionorica AG celebrates its 70th anniversary in the month of September and is honored by the presence of the Minister President of Bavaria.
The second International Sinusitis Symposium is held.
2005
On March 3rd, the founding ceremony for Bionorica Research GmbH takes place in Innsbruck, Austria. This is the first private facility in Austria devoted exclusively to the research and development of herbal products. The Austrian facility is involved mainly with respiratory tract and pain treatment for multiple sclerosis/spasticity. Not available in the United States.
2007
In line with the company’s focus on the environment and healthy living, the new company headquarters building is constructed, featuring a combination of eco-effectiveness, environmental protection and employee health and safety that is unique in Germany.
Because of its innovative energy technologies, including photovoltaic systems and combined heat and power units that utilize renewable resources, the building has a positive energy balance and feeds its excess, environmentally-friendly energy into the local power grid. With its use of intelligent materials such as bi-component fiber carpets, it also leads the way in green building design and wellness-friendly working conditions. Professor Michael Braungart, author of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, had a leading role in the building concept.
Professor Michael Popp founds the non-profit foundation "Phytokids", which helps sick and orphaned children and adolescents in hospitals and children’s homes throughout the world. The first projects are set up in Moscow, Kiev and Rostov-on-the-Don.
2008
Bionorica celebrates its 75th year of leading research, innovation and development.
1 Bionorica’s products are registered as natural medicines in 49 countries outside of the US. Any mentions of drugs, medicine or the treatment of any disease or condition apply specifically to Bionorica’s corporate history in Europe. In the US, Bionorica sells Dietary Supplements which are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
