The Road to The Future
Important steps of the bene-Arzneimittel GmbH on its way into a successful future.
1917
Birth of Dr Wilhelm Benend, founder and co-owner of Dr W. Benend KG (later renamed bene-Chemie GmbH).1942
On 22 May Dr Wilhelm Benend is awarded his doctorate in natural science at Munich University with an overall grade of ‘summa cum laude’.
1949
Dr Benend registers the name Thrombocid as a trademark at the
German Patent Office. After its entry in the Trademarks Register
Thrombocid
becomes a legally-protected trademark.
On 22 June 1949 Dr Wilhelm Benend and his brother establish the company Dr Wilhelm Benend KG
Distribution of pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS) begins in Germany.
1951
Lack of space and the company’s expansion force Dr Wilhelm Benend KG to build its own factory in Munich’s Memlingstraße.
1952
First contacts are made with foreign partners. Over the following years distribution partnerships spring up in the Netherlands, Austria, Argentina, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland to name just a few.
1955
Dr Wilhelm Benend KG offers a range of seven preparations. Alongside the flagship Thrombocid, the company now also
markets depot Thrombocid, Stypturon, Angifin, Telepaque and the
hand disinfectant pHisoHex.
1956
Market launch of Tacholiquin.
1959
The long success story of ben-u-ron begins as it is launched in tablet form.
1960
ben-u-ron in suppository form is introduced for children and infants.
1961
The new product launches boost turnover to over two million Deutschmarks, of which around 15 per cent is generated by exports.1961 also sees the start of distribution of the drug sodium pentosan polysulphate both as the medication Thrombocid
and as a generic substance.
1962
Official opening of Building I in Munich’s Herterichstrasse, launch of
Thrombocid ointment and of pentosan polysulphate SP 54 as a coated
tablet.
1963
Establishment of the company bene-Chemie GmbH, set up as an independent family company responsible for the production and distribution of Dr Benend KG’s pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical substances. Until 1995 the company’s sole shareholders remain Sigrund Benend and Dr Wilhelm Benend.1972
After the sustained success of the ben-u-ron suppository for infants and children this dosage form is also launched for young people and adults, so that bene-Chemie GmbH now offers a complete range of the analgesic for all ages.
1974
bene-Chemie GmbH celebrates its 25th anniversary. The year also sees
record turnover of over ten million marks. For the first time, exports
exceed domestic sales.1976
One of bene’s most successful drugs, ben-u-ron, becomes available in liquid form.1982
Talvosilen, a combination of paracetamol and codeine designed to combat more severe pain, is added to the bene range.
1983-1986
ben-u-ron is
the clear winner in tests conducted by the German consumer organisation
Stiftung Warentest (= Product Testing Foundation) and is later
classified as ‘recommended’ by consumer watchdog magazine Öko-Test
(2003).
1985
bene-Chemie GmbH is renamed bene-Arzneimittel GmbH.
1995
Dr Harald Benend and Dr Helmut Benend,
the two sons of company founder Dr Wilhelm Benend, take over the helm.
bene has been run successfully by them ever since. Under their
leadership the firm has grown to become a medium-sized operation while
retaining the character of a large family business.
1996
The product Elmiron, containing PPS, is licensed for distribution in the USA, since then it has been used with great success in the treatment of severe and painful cystitis.
2002
ben-u-ron 75mg suppository is launched onto the German market.
2004
Establishment of bene-pharmaChem GmbH & Co. KG. This affiliated
company is responsible for the active ingredient synthesis in the
production of pentosan polysulphate sodium (PPS).
2006
The range is broadened through the introduction of Talvosilen forte tablets.
2007
ben-u-ron syrup and suppositories (250 mg) are yet again rated as ‘very good’ by Öko-Test.
The first single dose paracetamol only for adults is launched: the ben-u-ron 1000 mg tablet.