Following the nationalization, Richter pursued its innovative efforts and obtained patents – occasionally with the help of research institutes and universities – under the company name “Kőbányai Gyógyszerárugyár” in Hungary, while the version “Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter” was used abroad. (Patents continued to be registered under the name “Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter Ltd.” in Hungary.)
The development of a few original active ingredients goes back to this period, these were patented by the company and launched both on the domestic market and abroad under the trademarks Phlogosam, Depersolon and Mydeton.
The research into the production of vitamin B12 started in the mid 1950s. The elaboration of a unique manufacturing process for vitamin B12 and an ever increasing number of patented inventions (40 altogether) made production more economical. Richter’s activity in the field of alkaloid chemistry involved the processing of several medicinal plants (e.g. periwinkle, ergot, foxglove, etc.) and this is how the patent for the U-shaped extractor was born. The extractor was extensively employed in the extraction of botanical drugs.
The Company also commenced steroid research, which was flourishing worldwide, and obtained 108 patents in the field.
The reconstruction of the family was accelerated and more and more inventions saw the light in the 1960s. This resulted in a significant increase in the number of intellectual property-related tasks, which the Company, in lack of a separate corporate unit, was unable to handle. Therefore, the management called for the establishment of an independent patent department within the Company on 1 July 1968.
One of the department’s first tasks was to protect effectively both in Hungary and abroad the active substance of Cavinton®, an original product of the cerebral metabolism. Richter obtained 54 process patents for Cavinton and its intermediate products in Hungary, and 263 patents abroad. Product patents were also submitted where patent law allowed.
Another Richter success to be highlighted is Curiosin, an original preparation used to promote wound healing and available as gel or fluid. The first Curiosin patent was applied for in 1989 and the product now enjoys patent protection in 70 countries worldwide.
The following diagram illustrates the intensity of innovative activity at the Company during the past five decades. The graph shows how, after a temporary backslide in the mid 1990s, patent applications are springing up again.
Richter’s innovative activity concerns other forms of intellectual property protection, too. The protection of brand names through trademarks has always been of special importance for the Company, Richter currently possesses 4000 trademarks.
During Richter’s 100 year existence, innovation and creativity have played a decisive role in the Company’s activity. The Company has always encouraged inventions and supported their extensive protection by patents as well as the moral and financial recognition of inventors.