About us —

Our history

FARCO-PHARMA looks back on more than six decades of company history. It all started with a ground-breaking idea and cooperation. What followed is a great success story. And it continues! Thanks to a global network of more than 45 distribution partners, FARCO-PHARMA products are now available worldwide.

1958
1958

The founder: Prof. Dr. med. Carl Erich Alken

Prof. Dr. Alken lays the foundation for success by developing the idea of instilling lubricant directly into the urethra during prostate screening examinations. This method reduced the risk of injury and led to the invention of the first sterile lubricant in a pre-filled syringe.

1964
1964
Rotes Logo von Farco mit einem stilisierten Symbol und dem Text „Foundation of Farco-Pharma in Giessen, Germany – Farco gel is the first lubricant in a syringe“.

Foundation of FARCO-PHARMA

FARCO-PHARMA GmbH is founded through the merger of FARCO AS from Copenhagen and the pharmacist Karl-Heinz Reinhard from Launsbach.

1967
1967

FARCO-Gel: First lubricating gel in a syringe worldwide

FARCO-PHARMA launches the world's first lubricating gel in a syringe, which is registered as the Instillagel® brand.
1970
1970

Relocation of the company headquarters to Cologne

Due to increasing demand, filling in pharmacies can no longer be guaranteed. The company headquarters of FARCO-PHARMA are relocated to Cologne following the takeover of Klosterfrau, where FARCO-PHARMA has been based ever since.

1971
1971

Optimization of Instillagel®

Instillagel® is further developed into a stable and sterile lubricant gel and manufactured at the new production site in Cologne. This makes Instillagel® the first sterile lubricant in a pre-filled syringe. Instillagel® is also exported to Austria for the first time.
1970’s
1970’s

Expansion in Europe

Instillagel® is distributed in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
1976
1976

Production in Berlin

Production is relocated to Berlin to expand production capacity through the use of robot technology. All FARCO products are still produced there today.
1978
1978

Introduction of Endosgel®

Endosgel®, a sterile lubricating gel with disinfectant properties, is launched.
1987
1987

Expansion in Great Britain

Instillagel® is launched in England and quickly establishes itself as the market leader.
1990
1990

Expansion into Asia

Hong Kong is the first Asian export country to be supplied.
1995
1995

Focus on sterile pre-filled syringes

From 1995, FARCO concentrates on pharmaceuticals and medical products in sterile pre-filled syringes for urology and related specialties.
1996
1996

Introduction of steam sterilization

For the first time, FARCO is using steam sterilization to ensure effective germ destruction and preserve the essential characteristics of the product.Steam sterilization is considered the gold standard for the sterilization of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
1997
1997

New division: solution for catheter inflation

With Farco-fill® Aqua-Glycerol, the portfolio has been expanded to include a solution for catheter inflation.
2001
2001

Introduction of InstillaGel® Lubri

An active ingredient-free lubricant gel for patients with intolerances is introduced.
2006
2006

Expansion into North America

Canada is the first country in North America to be supplied.
2008
2008

Expansion to Australia

FARCO products are distributed in Australia.
2012
2012

Expansion into South America

Colombia is the first South American country to be supplied.
2014
2014

Expansion into the USA

FARCO receives FDA approval for the sterile lubricant GLYDO® in the USA.
2017
2017

Introduction of instillation therapies for the urinary bladder

FARCO launches the first therapy option for the treatment of chronic urinary bladder diseases.

2020
2020

VESOXX®: First approved instillation therapy with oxybutynin worldwide

VESOXX® is launched as the first intravesical oxybutynin therapy in Germany.
2021
2021

Distribution rights for Deflux® in the DACH region

FARCO acquired the distribution rights for Deflux®, a product for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.
2022
2022

Introduction of Instillido®

A sterile lubricating gel with a local anaesthetic effect is launched as a medicinal product.
2023
2023

Innovative kidney stone removal with mediNiK®

With the acquisition of Purenum GmbH, FARCO expands its portfolio to include the mediNiK® hydrogel method for the removal of kidney stone fragments.
Today
Today
Logo von Farco mit „60 Jahre“ Jubiläumsdesign, rotem Symbol und den Jahreszahlen 1965–2025.

Strong partner in urology

FARCO-PHARMA has been a reliable partner to urology and related specialties for over 60 years. Patients in more than 60 countries benefit from improved medical care thanks to FARCO-PHARMA products.
ï„‘

1958

The founder: Prof. Dr. med. Carl Erich Alken

Prof. Dr. Alken lays the foundation for success by developing the idea of instilling lubricant directly into the urethra during prostate screening examinations. This method reduced the risk of injury and led to the invention of the first sterile lubricant in a pre-filled syringe.

ï„‘

Foundation of FARCO-PHARMA

FARCO-PHARMA GmbH is founded through the merger of FARCO AS from Copenhagen and the pharmacist Karl-Heinz Reinhard from Launsbach.

1964

ï„‘

1967

FARCO-Gel: First lubricating gel in a syringe worldwide

FARCO-PHARMA launches the world’s first lubricating gel in a syringe, which is registered as the Instillagel® brand.

ï„‘

Relocation of the company headquarters to Cologne

Due to increasing demand, filling in pharmacies can no longer be guaranteed. The company headquarters of FARCO-PHARMA are relocated to Cologne following the takeover of Klosterfrau, where FARCO-PHARMA has been based ever since.

1970

ï„‘

1971

Optimization of Instillagel®

Instillagel® is further developed into a stable and sterile lubricant gel and manufactured at the new production site in Cologne. This makes Instillagel® the first sterile lubricant in a pre-filled syringe. Instillagel® is also exported to Austria for the first time.

ï„‘

Expansion in Europe

Instillagel® is distributed in Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.

1970’s

ï„‘

1976

Production in Berlin

Production is relocated to Berlin to expand production capacity through the use of robot technology. All FARCO products are still produced there today.

ï„‘

Introduction of Endosgel®

Endosgel®, a sterile lubricating gel with disinfectant properties, is launched.

1978

ï„‘

1987

Expansion in Great Britain

Instillagel® is launched in England and quickly establishes itself as the market leader.

ï„‘

Expansion into Asia

Hong Kong is the first Asian export country to be supplied.

1990

ï„‘

1995

Focus on sterile pre-filled syringes

From 1995, FARCO concentrates on pharmaceuticals and medical products in sterile pre-filled syringes for urology and related specialties.

ï„‘

Introduction of steam sterilization

For the first time, FARCO is using steam sterilization to ensure effective germ destruction and preserve the essential characteristics of the product.Steam sterilization is considered the gold standard for the sterilization of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

1996

ï„‘

1997

New division: solution for catheter inflation

With Farco-fill® Aqua-Glycerol, the portfolio has been expanded to include a solution for catheter inflation.

ï„‘

Introduction of InstillaGel® Lubri

An active ingredient-free lubricant gel for patients with intolerances is introduced.

2001

ï„‘

2006

Expansion into North America

Canada is the first country in North America to be supplied.

ï„‘

Expansion to Australia

FARCO products are distributed in Australia.

2008

ï„‘

2012

Expansion into South America

Colombia is the first South American country to be supplied.

ï„‘

Expansion into the USA

FARCO receives FDA approval for the sterile lubricant GLYDO® in the USA.

2014

ï„‘

2017

Introduction of instillation therapies for the urinary bladder

FARCO launches the first therapy option for the treatment of chronic urinary bladder diseases.

ï„‘

VESOXX®: First approved instillation therapy with oxybutynin worldwide

VESOXX® is launched as the first intravesical oxybutynin therapy in Germany.

2020

ï„‘

2021

Distribution rights for Deflux® in the DACH region

FARCO acquired the distribution rights for Deflux®, a product for the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux.

ï„‘

Introduction of Instillido®

A sterile lubricating gel with a local anaesthetic effect is launched as a medicinal product.

2022

ï„‘

2023

Innovative kidney stone removal with mediNiK®

With the acquisition of Purenum GmbH, FARCO expands its portfolio to include the mediNiK® hydrogel method for the removal of kidney stone fragments.

ï„‘

Strong partner in urology

FARCO-PHARMA has been a reliable partner to urology and related specialties for over 60 years. Patients in more than 60 countries benefit from improved medical care thanks to FARCO-PHARMA products.

Today

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