VEB ARZNEIMITTELWERK DRESDEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A002600560007-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 2, 2005
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: October 28, 1953
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
COUNTRY East Germany
SUBJECT VEB Arzneimittelwerk Dresden
25X1
This Document contains information affecting the Nis-
tional Defense of the United States, within the mean-
ing of Title 18, Sections 793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as
amended. Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law. The reproduction of this form is prohibited.
25X1
25X1
DATE DISTR. 28 October 1953
NO. OF PAGES 25X1
25X1
Organization}
1. The headquarters of the VEB Arzneimittelwork Dresden is situated at Dresden-
Radebeul, Gartenstrasse 16-18.. The combine has been formed from the follow-
ing four separate firma:
a. Madaus - Dresden--Radebeul, Gartenstrasse 16-18.
b. Wecusta - Dresden, Leipzigerstrasse.
c. Gehe and Co. - Dresden, Meissenerstrasse.
d. Alkaloidfabrik - Dresden Radebeul, Birkenstrasse.
2. Prior to the general reorganization of the industry, the combine belonged
tq the VVB Pharma, whlch,in turnswas subordinate to the State Secretariat for
Chemicals, Stones, and Clays. In early 1953, the VVB Pharma was dissolved
and the majority of the firms which it had controlled, including the VEB
Arzneimittelwerk,; were made subordinate to the newly founded Main Depart-
ment for the Pharmaceutical Industry of the Ministry of Health. This
department is staffed by former officials of VVB Pharma, and the princi-
pal officials are:
a. Head of Department - Duebler (fnu) (appointment as yet only provisional).
b. Scientific head -'Dr. Fichtner (chemist).
c. Technical head - Dr. Hentze.
Basic Distribution of Production Assignments
3. The production programs of the four firms of which the combine was composed
have undergone considerable changes from the days when the firms were inde-
SECRE
STATE I IARMY J X . NAVY x AIR
25X1
(Note: Washington Distribution Indicated By "X"; Field Distribution By "#".)
Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
 Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-00810AO02600560007-5
SECRET)
D
pendent. The program is divided, in general, as follows:
a. Madaus - production of penicillin and xanthooillin.
manufacture of ampules.
The preparation of homoeopathic medicines was formerly the main
assignment of this plant; but is now becoming more and more the
responsibility of the firm Homoepharm, Leipzig, formerly Wilmer
Schwabe.
b. Gehe - manufacture of tablets
- special preparations
- galenical pharmacy (emulsions, solutions)
- no experimental work
o. Weousta - ointments and ointment bases
- organic preparations
- oils, for clocks
- special preparations including an injectable honey
preparation, "Melven" and an organic preparation, thrombin.
d, Alkaloidwerk - preparation of alkaloids and glycosides.
Production of Antibiotics
The monthly production of penicillin by the former Madaus factory averages
10,000,0009000 units. It is distributed in East Germany and not used for
export, reparations, or storage. The quality of the penicillin for use
by injection is inferior to that produced by Jenapharm. The factory uses
the following tanks for penicillin production:
One 10,000 liter tank
One 6,000 liter tank
Two /..,000 liter tank
Two 2,000 liter tank
Depot penicillin is not yet produced. The installations formerly used for
penicillin production by the surface system are now given over to xantho-
cillin production.
5. An average of 3 kgs of xanthocillin is also being produced monthly by the
Madaus factory.''This antibiotic was developed in the factory but origin-
ally-it it was refused recognition in the. East German "Pharmacopoeia-by"'the-
Central Advisory Council (Zentrale Gutachtenausschuss) as being both super-
fluous and unsuitable. The persons most responsible for this decision were
Professor Linser2 and Professor Hauschild3. They based their objections
on the assumption that it would only contribute to the development of iesis-
tent strains of pathogenic bacteria. As xanthocillin was designed ex-
clusively for local application and it could be proved that it had been
so used experimentally without producing any resistent bacteria,.this
objection was shown to be invalid, and finally the use of xanthocillin for
local application was approved.
6. Xanthocillin is produced in the following forms:
a. Xanthocillin powder - principally for intra-peritoneal use.
b. Eyedrops.and.ointments - for ophthalmology, surgery and dermatology.
c. Capsules - for dental surgery.
SECRET)
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
 Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
SECRET
A preparation for injection in conjunction with "Jenacain" or "Novocain"
is being developed for use in dental surgery. No general injection prepa-
ration is contemplated, as xanthooillin is not suitable for this.
nevelox)ment Wo Carried out by the Alkaloidwerk
7. In 1946, a chemist named Kesselring (fnu), of the Madaus firm began ex-
perimente to produce morphine and to convert the morphine obtained into
codeine. As the space occupied by the firm was inadequate, empty
premises in Radebeul, Birkenstrassee.were taken over and the following
it
h
t
e.
s
a
year the Alkaloidwerk was formed at t
8. The Alkaloidwerk, which employs some 40 to 50 per'sons very primitively
equipped. Working conditions are very poor and because of illness the
the absentee rate is high.
9. The principal development work being carried out in the factory is as follows:
a. Conversion of raw morphine (from poppy capsules coming from Goerlitz,)
into morphine DAB 61.
be Conversion of morphine into codeine.
a. Atropine - production from belladonna roots, obtained from Bulgaria
and Rumania, allegedly largely for export to the USSR.
d. Erg t alkaloids. Ergot is produced by the artificial impregnation of
corn with 21aviceps tsurrurea. The factory cannot, of course, undertake
the complicated prodeee of separating the various ergot alkaloids, so
only a,mixed preparation is obtained. An attempt by Dr. Robert Thren
to cultivate ClaviceDe nurpurea by a submersion process failed; the
fungus did grow, but it revealed no alkaloid content.
e:. Glvooeide - "Panl ". A new preparation called "Panlanat" is to be
marketed, which, like the von Beyersdorf, Hamburg, preparation, is
made from Digitalis Janata.
f. Rutin. The buckwheat glycoside. This has vasoconstrictory properties
and will be converted into a preparation called "Rutabion".
g. Str ohanthin. Attempts to produce'a preparation of the West German
Bayer type, combining"Novocain~and etrophanthin have failed. The
approach to the task was amateurish; a solution of the appropriate;
concentration of VNovocaii hydrochloride and strophanthin was prepared,
made into ampules and sterilized. The injection of the solution resul-
ted in the death of two patients; the cause of death has not been
established but two theories advanced are:
(1) decomposition of the ?tNovocain" on sterilization;
(2) hydrolytic separation of the glycoside by the dissociated
"Novocain" hydrochloride.
"Dionin" and Dilaudid". The development of "Dionin" and "Dilaudid" up
to the technical production stage is ended.
i. Dihydrocodeinon ("Euco "j. This is to be produced by a process worked
out by the chemical and scientific director of the Alkaloidwerk, Dr.
Stein (fnu).
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
 Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Perms el (all names phonetic)
-4-
a. Head of Combine: Dipi. Alfred Kraft. Metallurgist. Member f
SED.
b. Plannin:
Din . Valkswirt (economist) Dr. Froehlich.
o. Personnels GeorLy Hoffman. ED,
d. SED Secretary: The principal SED Secretary is Bischoff (fnu). At
present, he is in training and affairs are in the
hands of the second secretary, Paetzold fnu F 7
e. "Scientific employees:
(1) Scientific directors Dr. Robert Thren.
(2) Technical director: Dr. Heinz Falta. Chemist.
(3) X hocillin production and development:
Merkel (fnu)e Pharmacist.
g. Alkaloid research:
Dr. Stein (fnu); chemist.
Dr. Walter:Siebeck; pharmacist; glycoside research.
Dr. Schaefer (fnu); chemist)- organic preparations at Weousta.
Dr. Lieschke (fnu); physician; recently resigned.
25X1
25X1
25X1
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5
 Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081 OA002600560007-5
D
25X1
25X1
25X1
1.
omment: DAB stands for Deutsches Arzneibuch.
25X1
2.
1
Hum bolt
C : Professor Karl Linger is the director
University skin clinic and a former Ministry of
o
He
f th
alth
e"Berlin
dffioial.
25X1
3.
1 (Comment: Professor Fritz Hauschild, the directo
r
of t
he Leipzig
University pharmacological institute.
25X1
Approved For Release 2005/06/30 : CIA-RDP80-0081OA002600560007-5