Research and development
Fresenius focuses its R & D efforts on its core competencies in the following areas:
- Dialysis
- Infusion and nutrition therapies
- Generic IV drugs
- Medical devices
Apart from products, we are concentrating on developing optimized or completely new therapies, treatment methods, and services. In 2012, we again successfully continued numerous projects and a number of new products were launched.
Research and development expenses were €305 million (2011: €267 million). We therefore invested about 4.4% of our product sales in R & D (2011: 4.3%). The chart below shows R & D expenses by segment. In 2012, Fresenius Medical Care increased its R & D spending by 9% and Fresenius Kabi by 20%. In the segment Corporate / Other, €24 million was spent on R & D at Fresenius Biotech, mostly on the clinical development of trifunctional antibodies. This was below the €25 million spent in 2011. Detailed figures are included in the segment reporting.
As of December 31, 2012, there were 1,903 employees in research and development in the Group (2011: 1,592). Of that number, 550 were employed at Fresenius Medical Care (2011: 543), 1,305 at Fresenius Kabi (2011: 985), and 48 at Fresenius Biotech (2011: 64).
The table shows a historical comparison of R & D expenses and the number of employees working in R & D.
| 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Excluding amortization expenses of €272 million on in-process R & D activities acquired with Fresenius Kabi USA (formerly APP Pharmaceuticals) | |||||
| R & D expenses, € in millions | 305 | 267 | 244 | 240 | 2071 |
| as % of product sales | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.71 |
| R & D employees | 1,903 | 1,592 | 1,449 | 1,421 | 1,336 |
Our main research sites are in Europe, the United States, and India. Product-related development activities are also carried out in China. Our R & D projects are mainly conducted in-house; external research is commissioned only on a limited scale.
In the following, we shall now inform you about the R & D activities in our business segments.
Fresenius Medical Care