LTS LOHMANN Therapie-Systeme celebrates 25th anniversary

LTS LOHMANN Therapie-Systeme AG, the leading developer and manufacturer of transdermal, topical and oral systems with facilities in Andernach, Germany and West Caldwell, New Jersey, celebrates its 25^th anniversary. LTS' 2008 turnover was over € 200 million in its own manufacturing, with its products – sold by the world’s leading pharmaceutical and consumer companies – selling over €20 Billion.

Development of transdermal therapeutic systems started in 1979 at Lohmann in Neuwied, Germany. The first nitroglycerin matrix patch for the treatment of heart disease was introduced in 1983 in Europe, followed by the US. Shortly afterwards, LTS was created and research and manufacturing facilities established in Germany and the US. In 1999, LTS became an independent corporation now primarily owned by three well funded stockholders.

LTS products include the world’s first nicotine patch, which created a new class of treatment for smoking cessation and enjoys annual sales of €350 million; the first estradiol matrix system – hormone replacement therapy for the treatment of menopause; A birth control patch; buprenorphine Transtec™, Norspan™, Butrans™ patches for the treatment of chronic pain; a rivastigmine patch for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, with 2008 sales by Novartis of over $800 million, and a rotigotine patch for Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome – the first drug in the world developed initially in a patch formulation and the only patch on the market for the treatment of Parkinson's.

In the oral care market, LTS’ pioneering work with thin films in New Jersey led to the introduction of Listerine® Pocketpaks®, enjoying a dominant market position in North America with over 1 Billion strips manufactured in the first three years. Lately, several wafer products including Listerine Whitening Strips® were also introduced in the US.

The company’s leading technology development position is supported by over 5,000 patents issued over the years.

In the late 1990s, LTS acquired a clinical research organization which now, under the name ‘CRS Clinical Research Services’, carries out clinical trials in several locations in Germany, and will shortly expand internationally.

Dr. H. Rainer Hoffmann, Chairman of LTS, has been with LTS from the beginning in the first research lab and has led the company since its spin-off from Lohmann 25 years ago, to its present position.