History
Bayer Schering Pharma looks back on a past rich in tradition within Bayer AG and Schering AG in the field of pharmaceutical research and development.
Our milestones
2010 - 1991
2009 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
An R&D team from Bayer Schering Pharma wins the “German Future Prize 2009” awarded by the Federal President for developing a new anticoagulant drug.
2009 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
Bayer Schering Pharma AG strengthens its global Research and Development (R&D) capabillities through the foundation of a global R&D center in Beijing, China. The company will invest some 100 million Euro over the next five years to establish the center.
2009 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
Qlaira, the first oral contraceptive based on estradiol, the estrogen identical to the one produced by the female body, is available in some European countries.
2008 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
Approval for Bayer's new oral, once-daily anticoagulant Xarelto in Canada and Europe.
2008 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
The squeeze-out of the minority stockholders of Bayer Schering Pharma AG is effected in September. At the turn of the year 2008/2009 the pharmaceuticals businesses of Bayer and Bayer Schering Pharma in Germany are combined in a single legal entity.
2007 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
In January, an Extraordinary Stockholders’ Meeting of Bayer Schering Pharma AG resolves to effect a “squeeze-out” of the remaining minority stockholders. Bayer Schering Pharma AG, headquartered in Berlin, now operates together with Bayer’s existing Pharmaceuticals business as a division of the Bayer HealthCare subgroup.
2007 - BAYER SCHERING PHARMA
Nexavar, an oral anti-cancer drug, gets approval for treatment of liver cancer in the US.
2006 - SCHERING
On December 29, 2006, the Berlin-based pharmaceuticals company is officially renamed “Bayer Schering Pharma AG”.
2006 - BAYER
In March, Bayer announced a public takeover offer for Schering AG, which is officiallly submitted in April. In December Bayer announced the plan to acquire the remaining outstanding shares of Schering AG – just under four percent of the share capital – by means of a squeezeout.
2005 - SCHERING
The European Commission approves the new contrast agent Vasovist for use in magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
2005 - BAYER
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves sorafenib (trade name: Nexavar®), an active ingredient jointly developed by Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc., for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma.
2004 - BAYER
Acquisition of Roche’s OTC business. Following the merger, Bayer is one of the world’s top three suppliers of non-prescription medicines.
2003 - SCHERING
In Kobe, Japan, Schering establishes the Nihon Schering Research Center focussing on regenerative medicine.
2003 - BAYER
In February, the World Health Organization (WHO) includes acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in Aspirin®, in its “List of essential medicines”.
2003 - BAYER
Launch of Levitra, a drug product containing the active ingredient vardenafil, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Today Levitra® is registered in more than 80 countries around the world.
2003 - BAYER
In October, Bayer HealthCare AG is established as an independent legal entity in the course of restructuring.
2002 - SCHERING
Schering has introduced a new Corporate Brand.
2002 - BAYER
On January 24, Bayer shares are listed for the first time on the world’s best-known securities market, the New York Stock Exchange.
2001 - SCHERING
Schering launched leukemia product Fludara® Oral.
2001 - BAYER
The Bayer Group sets a new course for the future: on December 6, the company announces plans to establish independent operating subsidiaries under the umbrella of a management holding company.
2000 - SCHERING
Schering AG was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Schering acquired Mitsui Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Japan. New oral contraceptive Yasmin® was granted approval in the Netherlands.
1999 - BAYER
To mark the 100th birthday of Aspirin®, Bayer’s high-rise administration building in Leverkusen is transformed into the world’s biggest Aspirin® pack, earning the company three entries in the Guinness Book of Records.
1999 - BAYER
Antibiotic containing the active ingredient moxifloxacin to treat respiratory tract infections.
1998 - BAYER
Fully automatic blood count analysis unit
1998 - BAYER
Fully automatic laboratory diagnosis system for detection of more than 60 parameters. Since 2000, the system is called ADVIA Centaur®
1997 - SCHERING
Mirena®, an innovative intrauterine system of hormonal contraception, was introduced in several European countries.
1997 - BAYER
User-friendly blood glucose meter, with capacity for ten measurements without sensor replacement. Since late 2002, these meters are called Ascensia® DEX/ESPRIT
1996 - SCHERING
Schering acquired the Leiras Group.
1996 - BAYER
Imidacloprid-based, long-acting antiflea product for dogs and cats.
1995 - BAYER
The U.S. company Miles Inc. is renamed Bayer Corporation.
1994 - BAYER
Bayer acquires the North American self-medication business of Sterling Winthrop, at the same time regaining full rights to the Bayer name and the Bayer Cross trademark in the United States and Canada.
1994 - BAYER
Development of a special formulation of Aspirin® for reinfarction prophylaxis.
1993 - SCHERING
Betaseron®, at that time the only drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, was licensed in the USA for the relapsing-remitting form of this disease.
1993 - BAYER
Bayer’s first genetically engineered medicine, for the treatment of hemophilia.
1992 - BAYER
Construction of a new Bayer plant in Bitterfeld, Germany, for Aspirin production.
1990 - 1961
1990 - BAYER
Glucobay®/Precose® is developed as a new therapeutic principle for the treatment of diabetes.
1989 - BAYER
Bayer acquires Cooper Technicon, Tarrytown, New York, to become one of the world’s largest suppliers of diagnostics systems and reagents for clinical chemistry.
1988 - SCHERING
Schering reached agreement with the US American company Schering-Plough Corporation on the modalities of the world-wide use of the name Schering except in USA and Canada.
1988 - BAYER
1988 marks Bayer’s 125th anniversary. The company employs more than 165,000 people worldwide. In the same year, Bayer AG also become the first German company to be listed on the Tokyo stock exchange.
1988 - BAYER
Inauguration of the Pharmaceutical Research Center in West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
1987 - SCHERING
Schering offered the world's first contrast medium for magnetic resonance imaging, Magnevist®, in Germany, Japan and the USA.
1987 - BAYER
Launch of Ciprobay® (Cipro®, Ciproxin®), an antibiotic for the treatment of bacterial infections.
1986 - BAYER
In 1986, Bayer reacquires from U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturer Sterling Drug, Inc. the rights to use the Bayer trademark in the United States for products sold to manufacturing industry.
1985 - BAYER
Nimotop®: a drug product to treat neurological deficits in the brain.
1983 - BAYER
Broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs and cats is launched.
1981 - BAYER
Glucometer, the first blood glucose meter for self-monitoring, is marketed.
1979 - SCHERING
Triquilar®, a three phase preparation, was introduced on to the market as the result of long-term research into well-tolerated, low-dosed oral contraceptives better adapted physiologically to the woman's cycle. Berlex Laboratories Inc., Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, was founded.
1978 - SCHERING
After Schering research presented Androcur® in 1973, Diane®, a preparation based also on the active ingredient cyproterone acetate was introduced.
1978 - BAYER
Bayer acquires Miles Laboratories Inc., giving it a significant position in the U.S. pharmaceuticals market.
1978 - BAYER
Launch of Clinitek® equipment for automatic analysis of urine test strips.
1975 - BAYER
Drug product to treat coronary heart disease is launched.
1974 - SCHERING
Nihon Schering K.K., Osaka became an almost 100 percent subsidiary of Schering AG.
1974 - BAYER
The Kieler Veterinär- und Pharmaprodukte (KVP) production facility for the manufacture and distribution of animal health products is built.
1973 - SCHERING
The low-dosed contraceptive Microgynon® was introduced.
1973 - BAYER
Multistix, urine test strips to monitor vital body functions, are launched.
1973 - BAYER
Canesten, the first azole derivative with broad-spectrum antifungal action, is launched for the treatment of fungal skin infections and thrush.
1972 - BAYER
Company renamed Bayer AG. Its expansion into an international chemicals and pharmaceuticals group begins to pick up speed.
1971 - SCHERING
Schering celebrated its 100th anniversary.
1968 - BAYER
Bolfo, a product to protect small animals against fleas and ticks, is launched.
1964 - SCHERING
Anovlar® 21 was the first drug to be offered in a modern type calendar pack invented by Schering.
1963 - BAYER
Bayer celebrates its centenary.
1961 - SCHERING
Anovlar®, Schering's first oral contraceptive, was introduced in Germany and Australia. Anovlar was the first preparation for hormonal contraception to be offered in Europe.
1960 - 1931
1957 - SCHERING
A microbiological department for the manufacture of corticoids was set up in the Charlottenburg works.
1956 - SCHERING
The hormone preparations Progynon-Depot for estrogen therapy and Testoviron-Depot for androgen therapy complemented the range of depot preparations for gynaecology.
1956 - BAYER
Urine test strips for the detection of glucose in urine are launched.
1954 - SCHERING
The steroid preparation Proluton-Depot for progestational therapy complemented the range of drugs for gynaecology.
1953 - SCHERING
Biligrafin and Urografin, two new X-ray contrast media were introduced.
1953 - BAYER
The FMD center in Cologne for the production of vaccines against foot-and-mouth disease opens.
1950 - SCHERING
The possibilities of regaining trademark rights through joint ventures or legal steps were soon exhausted. The decision was taken to re-enter previously closed markets with new trademarks.
1948 - BAYER
Development of a veterinary vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
1945 - SCHERING
All works of the enterprise after World War II was dismantled. All production and distribution companies throughout the world were liquidated, expropriated or confiscated. Even more serious was the loss of trademarks and patents. The name Schering could no longer be used in many large markets.
1943 - SCHERING
A bombing raid in the night of 22nd - 23rd November totally destroyed the main administration building and main stores of the Berlin, Wedding plant.
1940 - BAYER
The first multivitamin product in the United States is launched.
1939 - SCHERING
As a “company important for the war effort“, Schering AG provided large numbers of staff members threatened on political or racial grounds with protection from persecution by the state and party (NSDAP). From 1940 on, small numbers of forced labourers were employed.
1939 - BAYER
Bayer scientist Gerhard Domagk is awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the antibacterial effects of sulfonamides (Prontosil).
1938 - SCHERING
Hans Herloff Inhoffen and W. Hohlweg developed ethinylestradiol, which remains the most effective oral estrogen today. It is still a constituent of classical oral contraceptives (the pill).
1937 - SCHERING
The Kokswerke and Chemische Fabriken AG acquire the entire capital of their subsidiary Schering-Kahlbaum AG. In the wake of this amalgamation, the newly created company changed its name to Schering AG.
1935 - BAYER
Prontosil, a sulfonamide with antibacterial action, is marketed.
1933 - BAYER
With 2,200 light bulbs and a diameter of 72 meters, the Bayer Cross at the Leverkusen plant is the world’s largest free-standing, illuminated advertising sign.
1932 - SCHERING
Following the introduction of the semi-synthetic Oestradiol and Proluton, the first gestagene therapeutic agent, Proviron, the first androgen preparation for the treatment of hormone-related diseases and complaints in the male, was marketed.
1931 - BAYER
OTC drug product to treat heartburn and acid-related stomach problems in conjunction with headache and aching limbs is launched.
1930 - 1911
1930 - SCHERING
Schering introduced Uroselectan, the first injectable renal contrast medium.
1929 - SCHERING
Schering Corporation was founded in New York as the first US subsidiary.
1928 - SCHERING
Progynon, the first hormone preparation for climacteric complaints, was introduced on to the market.
1927 - SCHERING
The Berlin Chemische Fabrik C.A.F. Kahlbaum GmbH and the Chemische Fabrik auf Actien (formerly E. Schering) amalgamated to form Schering-Kahlbaum AG.
1924 - SCHERING
Scientific cooperation with the Viennese hormone researchers Eugen Steinach and his assistant Walter Hohlweg was intensified. The goal was the development of a cycle hormone preparation.
1923 - SCHERING
Research into sex hormones and cancer was started.
1923 - BAYER
The first veterinary product to be developed specifically to combat blood parasites in animals.
1921 - SCHERING
The medical-science department was established.
1919 - BAYER
Neguvon, a product to combat mange, is the first specific animal health product launched by Bayer.
1912 - BAYER
The company’s headquarters are transferred to Leverkusen.
1910 - 1881
1901 - SCHERING
The development works for the production of synthetic camphor was started; first patents appeared.
1899 - BAYER
Aspirin ® is registered as a trademark, and the analgesic conquers the world.
1897 - BAYER
Bayer scientist Dr. Felix Hoffmann succeeds in synthesizing a chemically pure and stable form of acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient of Aspirin®.
1890 - SCHERING
The first pharmaceutical speciality, the rejuvenating and later gout agent Piperazin, was marketed.
1888 - SCHERING
The company's first scientific laboratory under the leadership of the chemist Albrecht Schmidt started its work.
1888 - BAYER
Bayer’s first pharmaceutical product, the antipyretic Phenacetin, is launched. The company establishes a pharmaceutical department.
1880 - 1851
1880 - SCHERING
The Charlottenburg branch was opened.
1876 - SCHERING
Schering&Glatz, New York, USA, was founded as the first affiliate working abroad for the Berlin company.
1871 - SCHERING
On 23rd October, Schering's factory was converted into a public limited company with the official name Chemical Factory PCL (formerly E.Schering).
1863 - BAYER
On August 1, 1863, businessman Friedrich Bayer and master dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott establish a dyestuffs factory in Barmen, now a part of Wuppertal.
1851 - SCHERING
In 1851 Ernst Schering purchased a chemist's shop and called it the "Green Pharmacy". It was the start of the Schering enterprise of today.
More information about our history
For more details on the Bayer Schering Pharma history, contact:
Company Archives
Geb. M021
13342 Berlin
Tel.: +49 (0) 30-468-12171
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