COMPANY HISTORY

STADA's story begins: According to pharmacy historians, STADA's zero hour is March 14, 1895. Forward-looking pharmacists team up to economically produce joint preparations. This gives rise to joint preparations being produced in participating pharmacies for example, in Berlin, Dresden, Würzburg, Darmstadt and elsewhere, initially in very small circles. A pharmacist association is also founded in Dresden. This is where STADA has its roots. From these beginnings, similar organizations then begin to develop on a larger scale.

In the wake of the political co-ordination of regional specialist companies and pharmacists associations, in 1933, with the transfer of the German Pharmacists Association to the Professional Community of German Pharmacists (St.d.A), the German Pharmacist Association's specialist company is changed to the German Pharmacist Association's own preparations department.

The abbreviation "St.d.A." becomes the association mark "STADA"(registered trademark) and soon develops into a generic term for all preparations produced in house by the pharmacy in accordance with standard formulations. At that time, STADA developed a wealth of activities focusing on recovering the formula linked to a scientific revaluation of the pharmacy. For this purpose, the Institute for Pharmaceuticals was established at the German Museum of Hygiene in Dresden, where, in addition to the ongoing monitoring of STADA preparations, new regulations and processes were developed.

These two organizations merge in 1954 to become one company, "Stada, Standardpräparate Deutscher Apotheken" eGmbH which relocates to Frankfurt am Main. In addition, the trade mark "STADA" is registered.

At the beginning of 1970, STADA changes the existing legal structure. The co-operative becomes a corporation, in order to raise larger amounts of capital and to remain sustainable. At this point however, shares may only be purchased by pharmacists.

In 1975, STADA decides to expand its own product line with so-called generics and establishes STADAPHARM GmbH.

First foreign investments: With the acquisition of Swiss Helvepharm AG, STADA is active abroad for the time. In 1989 this is then followed by the establishment of the STADA GmbH Austria, and in 1990/91, the acquisition of Eurogenerics SA in Belgium and Centrafarm BV in the Netherlands.

STADA begins its business activities in Asia with STADA Pharmaceuticals (Asia) Ltd. in Hong Kong.

On its 100th birthday, business is booming. The company ranks "top ten" in the German industry according to sales. 1997/1998 the IPO follows. The company's core competencies are the two segments of generics and OTC products. STADA continues to consistently pursue its internationalization strategy and develops into a dynamic global player.

STADA makes successful acquisitions in the branded product area which is becoming increasingly important for the Group. The Group-wide cost efficiency program "STADA - build the future" is successfully completed ahead of schedule. STADA purchases British OTC manufacturer Thornton & Ross.

Establishment of a logistics and distribution center in Dubai. STADA exceeds two-billion-euro mark in sales for the first time

STADA acquisition of branded OTC portfolio from GSK to strengthen skin care business in Europe. STADA´s growth story continues by acquiring Walmark (a leading Consumer Healthcare company in Central Europe). The growth culture is based on STADA´s company values “Integrity”, “Agility”, “Entrepreneurship” and “One STADA”.