Bionorica's products are based on 75 years of experience. Today, the company's CEO is Professor Michael Popp, the third generation of the family.¹

1933
Company founded in Nuremberg by Josef Popp, grandfather of the current owner, Prof. Michael A. Popp. His interest in medicinal plants led Josef Popp to assemble all the information then available on the subject and study it meticulously. His first descriptions of botanical agents laid the foundation for Bionorica's modern phytotherapeutics.

Product launch of Sinupret® (for sinus infections) and Tonsilgon® (for recurrent respiratory infections).

1945
Pharmacist Erna Popp and Dr. Hans-Oskar Popp, a physician with an interest in naturopathy, takes over second-generation management of the company. Erna Popp builds up production of the preparations to an industrial scale and organizes the marketing. Dr. Hans-Oskar Popp, with his long years of practical experience, provides important impetus for further development of Bionorica preparations.

1970
Bionorica begins to build a scientific sales force for personal consultations with private practice physicians.

1979
Bionorica is one of the first pharmaceutical companies to begin testing herbal medicines in controlled double-blind studies. Research takes on greater and greater importance within the company.

1988
Production facility (Plantamed Drugs) moves from Nuremberg to Neumarkt in Bavaria after Prof. Michael A. Popp takes over management of the firm. The buildings in downtown Nuremberg had become too small for the company in view of projected future development.

1989
Prof. Michael Popp takes over management of Bionorica AG as well. The founder's grandson systematically pursues the company's chosen course, and begins intensive research in the areas of farming, analysis, pharmacology, toxicology and clinical use. In the summer of 1990, Bionorica AG also moves to Neumarkt. Under the young pharmacist's leadership, Bionorica becomes a worldwide pacesetter in phytomedicine.

1993
International operations that began in the early 90s lead to establishment of the Hungarian firms Herbextract and Mediplant in Budapest. From now on, Bionorica's own plants will be harvested here.

1995
Promotion of international operations through collaboration with national and international distributors. Bionorica Extracts S.L. is founded on the island of Mallorca, where medicinal plants are cultivated and special extracts manufactured.

1996
A highlight of Bionorica research: The previously unknown but significant role of sorrel in the anti-inflammatory action of the product Sinupret® is discovered. In addition, the antiviral effects of primrose and verbena are proven.

1997
Re-approval of Sinupret® und Sinupret® forte in Germany under the new German Drug Law. Both Bionorica products cleared this difficult hurdle as the first and so far the only non-antibiotic sinusitis preparations available. Thus far, these two herbal combination preparations, consisting of five active substances, are the only re-approved drugs not only in Germany, but in the EU.

In the same year, Bionorica begins growing its own thyme in Mallorca in order to have optimal source material to use in the manufacture of Bronchipret®. From seed selection to farming and extract production, Bionorica standardizes all production processes to the highest quality standard.

The company establishes a representative office in Moscow; others follow in Minsk and Kazakhstan (planned for 2003).

1998
Bionorica establishes another new branch in Beijing.

1999
In addition to respiratory products, gynecologics 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 and thus actively combat menstrual disorders and mastalgia.

2001
Bionorica becomes a public company. The combination of phyto (decoding botanical agents) and engineering (the application of cutting-edge scientific methods) is expressed in the company's new slogan: BIONORICA AG: The phytoneering company.

Another location is established in Kiev.
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 to pharmacies along with a manufacturing kit. Because of its multiple actions, this cannabinoid can be used for pain therapy, multiple sclerosis and in complementary therapy of cancer and HIV.

2003
From September 11-13, Bionorica AG celebrates its 70th birthday. The event kicks off with a visit from Dr. Edmund Stoiber, the Minister President of Bavaria. The next day, the second International Sinusitis Symposium is held, with distinguished speakers and participants from the ranks of physicians and pharmacists. The formal evening program is attended by guests from the world of politics, business, and research. The closing festivities on the 13th are reserved for Bionorica employees, who duly celebrate the firm's success story on the company grounds in Neumarkt.

2005
On March 3, the founding ceremony for Bionorica Research GmbH takes place in Innsbruck. The first private facility in Austria devoted exclusively to the research and development of herbal medicines, it is involved mainly with respiratory tract therapeutics and pain treatment for multiple sclerosis/spasticity.

2007
On July 16, Bionorica AG's new administration building is dedicated. This building represents a combination of eco-effectiveness, environmental protection and employee health and safety that is unique in Germany.

Because of its innovative energy technologies (e.g. photovoltaic systems, combined heat and power units using renewable resources), the building has a climate-friendly positive energy balance, and feeds it excess, environmentally friendly energy into the local power grid. With its use of intelligent materials (e.g. bicomponent fibre carpets), it also points the way in green building design and wellness-friendly working conditions. Prof. Michael Braungart (EPEA International Environmental Research GmbH) had a leading role in the building concept.

Prof. Popp founds the non-profit foundation “Phytokids” which helps sick and lonely children and adolescents in hospitals and children's homes the world over. The first projects are set up in Moscow, Kiev and Rostov-on-the-Don.

2008
Bionorica looks back on its 75-year history. Michael Glos, German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, visits the company on September 25. Other personalities from the world of business and politics celebrate this anniversary together with Bionorica staff.

¹ Bionorica's products are registered as natural medicines in 49 countries outside the US. Any mention of drugs, medicine or the treatment of any disease or condition apply specifically to Brionorica's corporate history in Europe. In the US, Bionorica sells Dietary Supplements which are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.