Temmler
Temmler is a German pharmaceutical company and contract manufacturer founded in 1917, now associated with the Aenova Group.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Temmler is a German pharmaceutical business whose origins date to 1917, when Hermann Temmler established the Temmler Werke in Detmold. The company developed from a regional pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturer into a broader European producer of medicinal products, pharmaceutical dosage forms and contract-manufacturing services. Its historical identity has been particularly associated with preparations for respiratory conditions, although its portfolio later expanded into gastroenterology, migraine and pain treatment, pulmonology, central nervous system medicines and other therapeutic areas. The company merged in 1919 with Vereinigte Chemische Fabriken GmbH in Detmold, creating a combined pharmaceutical enterprise. Its headquarters moved to Berlin in 1925, and the business subsequently expanded its facilities in the Berlin area. The 1930s are a major and controversial part of Temmler's history. During the Nazi period, assets belonging to Jewish businessmen Albert Mendel and Hermann Goldberg were taken over under the coercive process commonly described as Aryanization. Temmler subsequently became involved in the manufacture and commercialization of Pervitin, a methamphetamine hydrochloride preparation first synthesized by a Temmler chemist in Berlin in 1938. The substance was marketed before and during the Second World War as a stimulant and wakefulness aid and was supplied extensively to German military personnel. This legacy remains central to historical assessments of the company. After the Second World War, Temmler's East Berlin facilities were occupied, dismantled or placed under state control. The company rebuilt its operations in Hamburg and traded for a period as Preuss & Temmler AG. In 1960, the business moved from Hamburg to Marburg, where it developed a substantial production and administration complex. Investment during the 1960s and 1970s expanded manufacturing and laboratory capabilities, including controlled-release dosage forms. These capabilities helped Temmler move beyond proprietary medicines toward contract development and manufacturing. Contract production became an explicit part of the business in 1982, initially serving foreign customers. From 1989, the company produced a wider range of solid pharmaceutical forms for domestic and international clients. Temmler joined the ASTA Medica group in 1990, expanded its commercial portfolio in 1998 through the acquisition of 17 established products, and returned to private ownership in 1999. Further investment in laboratory space and GMP- and FDA-oriented manufacturing infrastructure took place in the 2000s. The formation of the Temmler Group accelerated through acquisitions. In 2007, Temmler acquired three European production sites from Astellas in Germany, Ireland and Italy. It later added facilities in Feldkirchen and Bruckmühl and acquired the SwissCo group in Sisseln, Switzerland, strengthening its capabilities for moisture-sensitive active ingredients and effervescent tablets. In 2012, Aenova acquired Temmler's production operations, while Lupin acquired the neurology products, commercial infrastructure and pipeline. Temmler's manufacturing heritage is therefore now principally represented within Aenova's European contract-manufacturing network, rather than as an independent publicly listed pharmaceutical company.
History
Temmler was established in Detmold in 1917 by Hermann Temmler. Two years later it merged with Vereinigte Chemische Fabriken GmbH in the same city, creating a combined pharmaceutical company. The headquarters moved to Berlin in 1925, and the company's manufacturing activities increasingly centered on the Berlin area. The period from 1933 to 1945 is essential to understanding Temmler's history. During the Nazi regime, the business benefited from the forced displacement of Jewish owners Albert Mendel and Hermann Goldberg. Their chemical and pharmaceutical enterprise was transferred under coercive conditions to non-Jewish control and reorganized as Chemische Fabrik Tempelhof Preuß & Temmler. In 1938, a Temmler chemist synthesized methamphetamine hydrochloride, which was commercialized as Pervitin. The product was sold as a stimulant and wakefulness medicine and was later supplied in very large quantities to German military forces during the Second World War. Temmler's association with Pervitin and the company's role in Aryanization form the most serious and controversial elements of its corporate history. At the end of the war, Temmler's East Berlin facility was occupied and dismantled. The business was rebuilt in Hamburg and operated under the name Preuss & Temmler AG. Its East Berlin assets were successively placed under trusteeship and expropriated. In 1960, the company relocated from Hamburg to Marburg. It invested in a large production and administrative site there, extending its facilities in 1967 and adding a laboratory building in 1971. The laboratory supported the manufacture of pharmaceutical dosage forms and active ingredients, including controlled-release products designed to release medicines over an extended period. Temmler began contract manufacturing in 1982, first serving foreign pharmaceutical customers. From 1989, its contract-production program included solid dosage forms for customers in Germany and other markets. In 1990, Temmler Pharma became part of ASTA Medica. Its therapeutic portfolio included gastroenterology, migraine and pain medicines, and pulmonology. In 1998, the company acquired 17 established products, expanding into central nervous system treatments. Temmler returned to private ownership in 1999. The 2000s were marked by investment and geographic expansion. In 2004, the Marburg laboratory was enlarged by two floors, increasing space for pharmaceutical development and contract-manufacturing work. In 2005, the company added production capacity intended to meet GMP and FDA requirements, with a focus on tablets, capsules and modified-release formulations. In 2007, Temmler acquired three European manufacturing sites from Astellas, located in Germany, Ireland and Italy. It then acquired additional facilities in Feldkirchen and Bruckmühl. The 2008 purchase of SwissCo in Sisseln, Switzerland, added specialized experience in the handling of moisture-sensitive active ingredients and the manufacture of effervescent tablets. In 2012, the manufacturing business was acquired by Aenova, turning Temmler's production heritage into part of a larger European contract-manufacturing network. Lupin acquired the Temmler neurology portfolio, commercial organization and pipeline in the same transaction. Temmler is therefore best understood today as a pharmaceutical heritage and operating brand associated with manufacturing and contract production under Aenova, rather than as an independent listed company.
- 2012
Manufacturing business acquired by Aenova
[1]Aenova acquired Temmler's production operations, while Lupin acquired the neurology portfolio and related commercial assets.
- 2008
SwissCo acquired
[1]The acquisition added SwissCo's effervescent-tablet and moisture-sensitive-product capabilities.
- 2007
European production expansion
[1]Temmler acquired three Astellas production sites in Germany, Ireland and Italy.
- 1990
Joined ASTA Medica
[1]Temmler Pharma became part of the ASTA Medica group.
- 1982
Contract manufacturing commenced
[1]Temmler began contract production for pharmaceutical customers, initially outside Germany.
- 1971
Controlled-release laboratory established
[1]A new laboratory building supported the manufacture of dosage forms and active ingredients for controlled-release medicines.
- 1960
Move to Marburg
[1]Temmler transferred its operations from Hamburg to Marburg.
- 1945
Postwar reconstruction began
[1]The East Berlin facility was occupied and dismantled, and Temmler rebuilt its operations in Hamburg.
- 1938
Pervitin introduced
[1]Temmler began manufacturing and marketing Pervitin, a methamphetamine hydrochloride preparation.
- 1925
Headquarters moved to Berlin
[1]The company's headquarters relocated to Berlin.
Products and positioning
A German pharmaceutical manufacturing heritage brand positioned around medicinal-product production, solid-dose technology and European contract development and manufacturing. Its historical public identity also reflects the controversial legacy of Pervitin production during the Nazi period.
Historical stimulant medicine · 1938
Pervitin
Pervitin was Temmler's historical brand for methamphetamine hydrochloride. It was introduced in 1938 and sold as a pharmaceutical stimulant intended to promote wakefulness and increase alertness. The preparation was available in oral and injectable forms and was supplied extensively to German armed forces during the Second World War. Its production and distribution are closely tied to the company's Nazi-era history and are now chiefly discussed as a historical and ethical case rather than as a current Temmler offering.
Pharmaceutical technology · 1971
Controlled-release dosage forms
Temmler developed manufacturing capabilities for tablets and other dosage forms designed to release active ingredients gradually over time. The technology became an important part of the company's laboratory and production strategy from the 1970s onward and supported its later contract-manufacturing activities. Modified-release products were produced for pharmaceutical customers alongside conventional solid oral forms.
Contract pharmaceutical manufacturing · 1989
Solid oral dosage products
Temmler's manufacturing operations produced solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, particularly tablets and capsules, for domestic and international customers. The company expanded this capability during the 1980s and 2000s, including facilities designed to meet applicable GMP and FDA-related production requirements. These operations became part of Aenova's broader European manufacturing network after the 2012 transaction.
Pharmaceutical contract manufacturing · 2008
Effervescent tablets
Through the acquisition of SwissCo in 2008, the Temmler Group added specialist production of effervescent tablets and related processing of moisture-sensitive active ingredients. This capability complemented Temmler's existing expertise in solid dosage forms and broadened the group's contract-manufacturing technology base.
Controversies
1938
Pervitin production and wartime distribution
Temmler manufactured Pervitin, a methamphetamine preparation, during the Nazi era. The product was sold commercially and supplied in large quantities to German military personnel during the Second World War, creating a lasting controversy around the company's role in wartime pharmacology and military performance enhancement.
1933
Aryanization of Jewish-owned pharmaceutical assets
During the Nazi period, Temmler became involved in the coercive transfer and reorganization of assets belonging to Jewish businessmen Albert Mendel and Hermann Goldberg. The episode formed part of the broader economic persecution of Jewish business owners in Nazi Germany.
Brand decisions
2012
Separate manufacturing and neurology assetsM&ABackground
Temmler was reorganized through a transaction involving its manufacturing operations and its commercial neurology portfolio.
Action taken
Aenova acquired Temmler's production facility and manufacturing operations, while Lupin acquired the neurology products, commercial infrastructure and pipeline.
Aftermath
Temmler's manufacturing heritage became part of Aenova, while important neurology commercial assets moved to Lupin.
2008
Acquire SwissCoM&ABackground
The group aimed to add specialized technology for moisture-sensitive active ingredients and effervescent products.
Action taken
Temmler acquired the SwissCo group in Sisseln, Switzerland.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the group's contract-manufacturing portfolio, particularly in effervescent tablets.
2007
Acquire three Astellas production sitesM&ABackground
Temmler sought to expand its European manufacturing scale and technical capabilities.
Action taken
The Temmler Group acquired production facilities in Germany, Ireland and Italy from Astellas.
Aftermath
The transaction substantially broadened Temmler's geographic footprint and production capacity.
1982
Enter pharmaceutical contract manufacturingStrategyBackground
Temmler had developed laboratory and controlled-release dosage-form capabilities that could be used for customers beyond its own branded portfolio.
Action taken
The company began contract production, initially for foreign pharmaceutical companies.
Aftermath
Contract manufacturing became a central element of Temmler's later business model and supported subsequent expansion of its production network.
Recent events
- 2012
Aenova acquired Temmler's production operations[1]
M&A
Aenova acquired Temmler's manufacturing facility and production operations, while Lupin acquired Temmler's neurology products, commercial infrastructure and pipeline.
- 2008
Temmler acquired SwissCo[1]
M&A
The acquisition of the SwissCo group strengthened Temmler's expertise in moisture-sensitive active ingredients and effervescent tablets.
- 2007
Temmler formed a larger European manufacturing group[1]
M&A
Temmler acquired three production sites from Astellas in Germany, Ireland and Italy, substantially increasing its manufacturing footprint.
- 1998
Temmler acquired 17 established products[1]
M&A · Product generation
The acquisition expanded Temmler's portfolio into additional central nervous system products.
- 1990
Temmler joined ASTA Medica[1]
M&A
Temmler Pharma became part of the ASTA Medica group and broadened its therapeutic focus.
- 1982
Temmler entered contract manufacturing[1]
Other
Temmler began contract production, initially focusing on customers outside Germany.
- 1960
Temmler relocated to Marburg[1]
Other
The company's operations moved from Hamburg to Marburg, where a substantial production and administration complex was developed.
- 1945
Temmler rebuilt after the loss of its East Berlin facility[1]
Other
The company's East Berlin facility was occupied and dismantled after the war, requiring Temmler to reconstitute its operations in Hamburg.
- 1925
Temmler moved its headquarters to Berlin[1]
Other
The company's headquarters were relocated from Detmold to Berlin as its manufacturing and commercial activities expanded.
- 1919
Temmler merged with Vereinigte Chemische Fabriken[1]
M&A
The company combined with Vereinigte Chemische Fabriken GmbH in Detmold to form a larger pharmaceutical enterprise.
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