Gedeon Richter Plc. (Hungarian: Richter Gedeon Nyrt.), the largest pharmaceutical factory in Hungary, was established by Mr. Gedeon Richter, a pharmacist in 1901. Mr. Richter was not only the founder of the company, but the establishment of his firm also marked the beginning of the development of the Hungarian pharmaceutical industry. Initially, small-scale pharmaceutical production took place in the "Sas" (Eagle) Pharmacy, which still operates. Independent pharmaceutical research and production activities were launched in Hungary in those days. However, pharmaceutical production at an industrial scale necessitated heavy investments and large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing activities were considered to be extremely capital-intensive operations, even by the established standards in Western countries. Initially, the laboratory that operated on the premises of the pharmacy processed extracts from organs of animals and produced organotherapeutic drugs. The plant was built in 1907 in the Kőbánya suburb of Budapest. In compliance with the established international trends of the pharmaceutical industry in those days, the company produced organotherapeutic drugs, processed extracts from plants and manufactured synthetic products at a later date. The company became a highly recognized manufacturer of lecithin products, antiseptic and febrifuge products, as well as painkillers (Hyperol, Kalmopyrin, Tonogen). The corporation has two plants today: the headquarters in Budapest, and a subsidiary in Dorog. In October 2010, Gedeon Richter Ltd acquired 100% of a Swiss private drug company, Preglem, for CHF 445 million (€337 million).
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—Jean Paul Richter (1763–1825)