Founding
The Cesra pharmaceutical factory was set up in Rastatt in 1929.
About Cesra
Based in Baden-Baden, Cesra has been a recognized supplier of phytopharmaceutical medicines and medical cosmetics since 1929. Ever since the company’s earliest days, the name Cesra has communicated two things: our passion for helping people and our hometown of Rastatt in the southwest of Germany.
“Cesra” = “Corpus Sanum Rastatt” = “HEALTHY BODY RASTATT”
“Cesra”
= “Corpus Sanum Rastatt”
= “Healty Body Rastatt”
At the center of all Cesra’s commercial activities are people, their bodies, and their health. For decades, this has inspired us to produce and sell sustainable medicines and medical cosmetics based on natural active ingredients and components that harness the self-healing powers of nature.
Our passion for helping people with our medicines and medical cosmetics was taken one unique step further in the 1980s. The company founder’s successors gave up their stake in Cesra, resolving instead to transfer all future company revenues to a specially formed, entirely independent humanitarian charity foundation: the Redel Foundation. Since then, our passion for helping people has manifested itself on two fronts: providing natural products for patients all over the world and using our revenues to assist people in need, particularly the victims of natural disasters.
Cesra receives BSFZ seal for research and development
Cesra receives BSFZ seal for research and development With the seal, the Federal Office for Research Allowances recognizes the innovative strength and competence of Cesra. The BSFZ seal is awarded exclusively to companies that receive funding through the research allowance and successfully carry out research and development projects in accordance with the strict criteria of the Research Allowance Act.
Brand history:
ilon
ilon has been Cesra’s pharmacy brand in the field of dermatology since 1929. The best-known product from the ilon series is ilon Classic Ointment for dermatitis. With its highly effective, antibacterial plant complex – consisting of larch, pine, and eucalyptus – it has for decades helped people with inflamed skin in all five phases of healing: redness, feeling of tightness, swelling, pain, and pus.
With ilon Classic Ointment, Cesra is now the leader in this market segment and can be found in virtually any pharmacy in Germany.
Aescuven
Since the mid-1950s, herbal medicine Aescuven has been used to treat symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency.
Aescuven has been sold for decades under the brand name Mei Jii Ling in China, where it is the leader in the vein care market.
Starting from 6 August 2024, the entire production of Aescuven® by Cesra GmbH Co. KG will be carried out by the newly established subsidiary, Aescuven Pharma Deutschland GmbH Co. KG.
ocean pharma
The history of ocean pharma dates back to 1978. It all began with the New Zealand green-lipped mussel and Omega-3 fatty acids, active ingredients from the sea. Today, the company’s products are primarily based on the microalga active ingredient Spiralin and geared towards providing effective care for hypersensitive problem skin. After patenting the Spiralin manufacturing process in 2014, a wide range of unique, protective products were developed based on the microalga active ingredient. These include medical foot care products under the Spirularin brand and medical skin care products under the skinicer brand.
Lioran
In 2022, Cesra purchased the Lioran and Lioran Centra brands from Niehaus Pharma as part of its strategic initiative for expanding its portfolio and strengthening its position on the German domestic market.
Cesra and Niehaus Pharma are both devoted to successful brand development and people’s well-being.
Gasteo
In 2022, Cesra acquired the Lioran, Lioran Centra and Gasteo brands.
This move has not only strengthened Cesra’s position on the market for gastrointestinal remedies but has also diversified the company’s product range. With a unique combination of six medicinal herbs, Gasteo Drops offer natural relief from minor gastrointestinal complaints.
Tradition. Responsibility. Perspective.
Onwards and upwards
Today, Cesra and its subsidiary Ocean Pharma are ideally positioned for the future. By continually investing in products, brands, quality, and production, we solidify our status as an internationally renowned manufacturer of high-quality phytopharmaceuticals.
By continuing these investments and focusing on our underlying passion for helping people, we are shaping the future of the company as an ethically aware pharmaceutical manufacturer. One that produces safe, effective medicines and medical cosmetics using sustainable, resource-friendly methods that meet the very highest standards. All of this in a pleasant, friendly working environment with flat hierarchies.
Our foundation – for which Cesra was presented with the SME Award for Social Responsibility in Baden-Württemberg (Socially Engaged) by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, Caritas Baden-Württemberg and Diakonie Baden-Württemberg in 2023 and 2024 – inspires and motivates us every day to help Cesra go from strength to strength. Working closely together with our customers, doctors, pharmacists, and many other Cesra partners, we constantly take on board suggestions and ideas for further improving our products.
Expanding beyond Europe ultimately also allows us to finance the humanitarian work of the Redel Foundation to an even greater extent. There are very few companies whose corporate purpose is centered on people and their well-being in the way that ours is. Working closely together with our customers, doctors, pharmacists, and many other Cesra partners, we constantly take on board suggestions and ideas for further improving our products.
Expanding beyond Europe ultimately also allows us to finance the humanitarian work of the Redel Foundation to an even greater extent.
There are very few companies whose corporate purpose is centered on people and their well-being in the way that ours is.
