Immuno AG

Immuno AG was an Austrian pharmaceutical company founded in 1960 by Dr. Otto Schwarz and Dr. Hans Eibl. Based in Vienna, the company became associated with the manufacture of blood products and plasma-derived medicines, particularly concentrates used in the treatment of bleeding disorders. Its portfolio included factor VIII and factor IX products such as Kryobulin and Krobulin TIM, placing the company within the specialized market for therapies used by patients with hemophilia and other coagulation deficiencies. The company’s activities also brought it into public and legal controversy concerning animal experimentation. In 1983, Immuno sued Dr. Shirley McGreal and other parties, seeking damages over an article that alleged the company intended to use captured chimpanzees for hepatitis research in Sierra Leone. The dispute was followed in 1986 by two civil lawsuits filed against Immuno by the Association Against Animal Experimentation concerning the treatment of chimpanzees. These cases form an important part of the company’s public record because they connected its research-related activities with wider debates over the ethics of experimentation on non-human primates. Immuno also pursued manufacturing expansion in Austria. A plant at Krems was established in 2002 but did not enter operation. In 2013, the site was examined for possible further use, and a partial expansion was announced. The proposed first stage was described as involving one production line, with room for later additions, and an estimated investment of €138 million. Construction was planned for the first quarter of 2014, although the available reference material does not establish whether the project was completed or the facility ultimately became operational. In 1996, Immuno was acquired by Baxter for a reported $715 million. The transaction ended Immuno’s status as an independent company, although the available material does not fully document the subsequent treatment of the Immuno name, product lines, facilities, or corporate structure. Immuno is therefore best understood historically as an Austrian pharmaceutical and blood-products company whose significance rests on its coagulation-product business, its research controversies, and its eventual absorption by a larger international healthcare company.

Immuno AG was established in Austria in 1960 by Dr. Otto Schwarz and Dr. Hans Eibl. The company developed as a pharmaceutical manufacturer with a focus on blood products, a technically specialized field involving the collection, processing, and manufacture of therapies derived from human plasma or related biological materials. Its documented product range included factor VIII and factor IX concentrates, which are used to help manage deficiencies in blood coagulation. Products identified with Immuno include Kryobulin and Krobulin TIM. The company’s history also includes controversy over animal research. In 1983, Immuno initiated litigation against Dr. Shirley McGreal and several other parties. The action sought $4 million in damages in response to an article alleging that Immuno planned to use captured chimpanzees in hepatitis research in Sierra Leone. The dispute was followed in 1986 by two civil lawsuits filed against Immuno by the Association Against Animal Experimentation. Those cases concerned the treatment of chimpanzees and placed the company in the broader international debate about the use of primates in biomedical research. The available reference does not provide the final outcomes of these proceedings. Immuno later pursued additional manufacturing capacity. A plant at Krems was established in 2002, but the facility never entered operation. In 2013, its potential further use was examined. A partial expansion was announced in the autumn of that year, with plans for an initial production line and space for possible future stages. The proposed investment was estimated at €138 million, and construction was expected to begin in the first quarter of 2014. The available material does not confirm whether construction proceeded, whether production began, or how the project was affected by subsequent ownership changes. A major corporate turning point came in 1996, when Baxter acquired Immuno for a reported $715 million. The transaction transferred Immuno into a larger international healthcare group and ended its existence as an independent pharmaceutical company. Publicly available information in the supplied references does not fully detail the post-acquisition disposition of Immuno’s facilities, products, or brand identity. Accordingly, Immuno AG is principally documented as a historically significant Austrian blood-products company, notable for its coagulation-factor portfolio, its animal-research litigation, its attempted Krems expansion, and its acquisition by Baxter.

• 2013

  Krems expansion proposal

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  A partial expansion of the unused Krems facility was announced, with a proposed initial production line and estimated investment of €138 million.

• 2002

  Krems plant established

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  A manufacturing plant at Krems was established but did not enter operation.

• 1996

  Acquisition by Baxter

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  Baxter acquired Immuno for a reported $715 million.

• 1986

  Civil lawsuits concerning chimpanzee treatment

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  The Association Against Animal Experimentation filed two civil lawsuits against Immuno concerning the treatment of chimpanzees.

• 1983

  Litigation over chimpanzee-research allegations

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  Immuno sued Dr. Shirley McGreal and others over an article concerning alleged plans to use captured chimpanzees for hepatitis research in Sierra Leone.

• 1960

  Immuno AG founded

  [1]Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org

  Dr. Otto Schwarz and Dr. Hans Eibl founded Immuno AG in Austria.

A specialized Austrian pharmaceutical manufacturer focused on blood-derived therapies and coagulation-factor products.

• Factor VIII product

  Kryobulin

  Kryobulin was an Immuno blood-derived coagulation product associated with factor VIII replacement therapy. Factor VIII concentrates are used to support clotting in people with factor VIII deficiency, including patients with hemophilia A. The supplied reference identifies Kryobulin as one of Immuno’s manufactured blood products but does not provide detailed formulation, launch, regulatory, or post-acquisition information.

• Factor IX product

  Krobulin TIM

  Krobulin TIM was identified as an Immuno-manufactured factor IX blood product. Factor IX concentrates are used in replacement treatment for factor IX deficiency, including hemophilia B. The available reference confirms the product’s association with Immuno but does not establish its launch date, detailed clinical specifications, current availability, or the precise effect of Baxter’s acquisition on the product line.

• 1986

  Animal-experimentation lawsuits

  The Association Against Animal Experimentation filed two civil lawsuits against Immuno concerning the treatment of chimpanzees. The available reference does not provide the final disposition of the cases.

  Source

• 1983

  Lawsuit over allegations involving captured chimpanzees

  Immuno sued Dr. Shirley McGreal and other parties after an article alleged that the company planned to use captured chimpanzees for hepatitis research in Sierra Leone. The company reportedly sought $4 million in damages. The supplied reference does not state the outcome.

  Source

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• 2013

  Propose partial expansion of the Krems plantStrategy

  Background

  The Krems plant had been established in 2002 but had never entered operation. Its future usability was examined in 2013.

  Action taken

  A first expansion stage with one production line was announced, with space reserved for possible later expansion. Construction was planned for the first quarter of 2014.

  Aftermath

  The proposal carried an estimated investment of €138 million, but the available reference does not confirm whether construction or production ultimately proceeded.

  Estimated investment. €138 million (2013 announcement)

  Source

• 1996

  Accept acquisition by BaxterM&A

  Background

  Immuno was an established Austrian manufacturer of blood products and coagulation-factor concentrates when Baxter acquired the company.

  Action taken

  Baxter acquired Immuno for a reported $715 million.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition ended Immuno’s independent corporate status. The supplied material does not document the detailed integration of its products, facilities, or brand.

  Reported acquisition price. $715 million (1996)

  Source

1. 1Immuno AGen.wikipedia.org