Knoll Pharmaceuticals
Corporate brand
UnclaimedKnoll Pharmaceuticals was a German drug-development company founded in 1886 and acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2002.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Knoll Pharmaceuticals was a German pharmaceutical and drug-development company established by Albert Knoll and Hans Knoll in 1886. Its history extended from the development and manufacture of prescription medicines in Germany to ownership by BASF and, ultimately, acquisition by Abbott Laboratories. The company is best remembered for several medicines and development programs associated with analgesia, cardiovascular medicine, obesity treatment, and experimental therapies. One of Knoll's earliest notable pharmaceutical contributions was hydrocodone, which the company synthesized and announced in Germany in 1920. Knoll later developed and introduced Dilaudid, the brand name for hydromorphone, in 1926. Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic related pharmacologically to morphine. Historical Knoll presentations of Dilaudid included oral tablets, injectable preparations, compounding powder, and products intended for reconstitution. The company also produced Dicodid, a hydrocodone product that was positioned as an analgesic broadly comparable to the relationship between hydromorphone and morphine. Knoll's history also includes Isophan, described as a modified form of methamphetamine related to Pervitin. In 1940, the Nazi government distributed Pervitin-related stimulants to German military personnel and air-force personnel. This part of the company's historical record sits within the broader and ethically troubling history of pharmaceutical production and drug use under the Nazi regime. In 1975, BASF took over Knoll Pharmaceuticals. Under BASF ownership, the company remained associated with pharmaceutical research and products, including propafenone, an antiarrhythmic medicine, and sibutramine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used as an adjunct for the treatment of exogenous obesity. Sibutramine was later marketed by Abbott. It was withdrawn in the United States and most other countries in 2010, a development that substantially changed the product's commercial and regulatory status. Knoll also developed ancrod, a serine protease derived from the venom of Malayan pit vipers. The compound, also known as Viprinex, was investigated as a potential treatment for acute ischemic stroke. After Abbott acquired Knoll, Abbott licensed ancrod's rights to Empire Pharmaceuticals, a start-up that included a former Knoll employee involved in the program. Empire was acquired by Neurobiological Technologies in 2004. Ancrod subsequently failed a Phase III clinical trial in 2008, contributing to the collapse of Neurobiological Technologies. BASF sold Knoll to Abbott Laboratories for $6.9 billion in a transaction completed on 30 June 2002. The acquisition ended Knoll's independent existence as a BASF pharmaceutical business. Products and development programs connected with Knoll continued to have regulatory, commercial, or scientific histories under Abbott and successor organizations, but Knoll itself is generally treated as a historical company rather than an independently operating contemporary pharmaceutical brand.
History
Knoll Pharmaceuticals was founded in Germany in 1886 by Albert Knoll and Hans Knoll. It developed into a pharmaceutical company associated with the discovery, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its historical portfolio included analgesics, cardiovascular drugs, obesity treatments, and experimental biotechnology programs. The company synthesized and announced hydrocodone in Germany in 1920. It later developed Dilaudid, the brand name for hydromorphone, which was introduced in 1926. Hydromorphone is a powerful opioid analgesic with high water solubility and was supplied historically in several dosage and administration forms, including oral tablets and injectable products. Knoll also manufactured Dicodid, a hydrocodone product. These medicines formed an important part of the company's historical identity as a producer of strong prescription analgesics. Knoll's history also intersects with the pharmaceutical use of stimulants in Nazi Germany. Isophan was described as a slightly modified form of methamphetamine-related Pervitin. In 1940, the Nazi government distributed Pervitin to German army and air-force personnel. The episode reflects the wider wartime and political context in which pharmaceutical stimulants were developed, supplied, and used. BASF took over Knoll in 1975. During the BASF period, Knoll remained involved in pharmaceutical products and research. Its associated medicines included propafenone, an antiarrhythmic agent, and sibutramine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor prescribed as an adjunct in the treatment of exogenous obesity. Sibutramine was subsequently marketed by Abbott and was withdrawn from the United States and most other countries in 2010. Another important Knoll research program was ancrod, also called Viprinex. Ancrod is a serine protease derived from the venom of Malayan pit vipers and was investigated as a treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Following Abbott's acquisition of Knoll, Abbott licensed ancrod to Empire Pharmaceuticals. Empire included a former Knoll employee who had worked on the compound. In 2004, Empire was acquired by Neurobiological Technologies. Ancrod later failed a Phase III clinical trial in 2008, and the failure contributed to the demise of Neurobiological Technologies. On 30 June 2002, BASF completed the sale of Knoll Pharmaceuticals to Abbott Laboratories for a reported $6.9 billion. The transaction ended Knoll's independent corporate existence under BASF. Abbott became the owner of the business and relevant product interests, while the Knoll name became primarily historical. The company's legacy therefore consists both of established medicines such as hydromorphone and propafenone and of development programs whose later outcomes were shaped by licensing, acquisition, regulatory action, and clinical-trial results.
- 2010
Sibutramine is withdrawn from major markets
[1]Sibutramine is withdrawn in the United States and most other countries.
- 2008
Ancrod fails a Phase III clinical trial
[1]The stroke-treatment candidate ancrod fails a late-stage clinical trial, contributing to the demise of Neurobiological Technologies.
- 2004
Empire Pharmaceuticals is acquired by Neurobiological Technologies
[1]The company holding licensed rights related to ancrod is acquired by Neurobiological Technologies.
- 2002
Abbott acquires Knoll Pharmaceuticals
[1]BASF sells Knoll to Abbott Laboratories in a transaction completed on 30 June 2002.
- 1975
BASF takes over Knoll
[1]Knoll Pharmaceuticals becomes part of BASF.
- 1940
Pervitin-related stimulants are distributed to German military personnel
[1]Isophan, described as related to Pervitin, is associated with the wartime distribution of methamphetamine-related stimulants by the Nazi government.
- 1926
Dilaudid is introduced
[1]Knoll introduces Dilaudid, a hydromorphone analgesic supplied historically in oral, injectable, and compounding forms.
- 1920
Hydrocodone is synthesized and announced in Germany
[1]Knoll is associated with the first synthesis and announcement of hydrocodone, later marketed in a product called Dicodid.
- 1886
Knoll Pharmaceuticals is founded in Germany
[1]Albert Knoll and Hans Knoll establish the pharmaceutical company in Germany.
Products and positioning
Historically positioned as a research-oriented German pharmaceutical company with activities spanning established prescription medicines and drug development.
Opioid analgesic · 1926
Dilaudid
Dilaudid is the brand name for hydromorphone, a potent opioid analgesic developed by Knoll and introduced in 1926. Historical Knoll formulations included small oral tablets in multiple strengths, hypodermic tablets, compounding powder, injectable solution in ampoules, and dry ampoules intended for reconstitution. The product was used for severe pain and became one of the company's best-known pharmaceutical developments.
Opioid analgesic
Dicodid
Dicodid was Knoll's hydrocodone product. Hydrocodone was synthesized and announced in Germany in 1920, and Dicodid was presented as an analgesic broadly comparable to the relationship between hydromorphone and morphine. It belongs to the company's early history of developing and commercializing narcotic pain medicines.
Antiarrhythmic medicine
Propafenone
Propafenone is an antiarrhythmic agent associated with Knoll and later marketed by Abbott. It is used in the management of certain abnormal heart rhythms and represents Knoll's contribution to cardiovascular pharmaceutical development.
Anti-obesity medicine
Sibutramine
Sibutramine is a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor developed for use as an adjunct in treating exogenous obesity. It was marketed by Abbott after the Knoll acquisition but was withdrawn from the United States and most other countries in 2010.
Investigational stroke therapy
Ancrod (Viprinex)
Ancrod, also known as Viprinex, is a serine protease derived from the venom of Malayan pit vipers. Knoll developed the program as a potential treatment for acute ischemic stroke. Abbott later licensed the rights to Empire Pharmaceuticals, but the candidate failed a Phase III clinical trial in 2008 and did not become an approved commercial therapy.
Brand decisions
2010
Sibutramine is withdrawn from major marketsOtherBackground
Sibutramine was an anti-obesity medicine associated with Knoll and marketed by Abbott.
Action taken
The product was withdrawn from the United States and most other countries.
Aftermath
Sibutramine lost availability in major markets and became a discontinued or restricted legacy product.
2002
BASF sells Knoll to Abbott LaboratoriesM&ABackground
BASF decided to divest Knoll Pharmaceuticals after owning the company since 1975.
Action taken
BASF sold Knoll to Abbott Laboratories in a transaction completed on 30 June 2002.
Aftermath
Knoll ceased to operate as an independent BASF pharmaceutical company, and Abbott assumed ownership of its business and associated pharmaceutical interests.
Reported acquisition price. $6.9 billion (30 June 2002)
2002
Abbott licenses ancrod rights to Empire PharmaceuticalsStrategyBackground
After acquiring Knoll, Abbott held rights connected with the ancrod stroke-treatment program.
Action taken
Abbott licensed ancrod rights to Empire Pharmaceuticals, a start-up that included a former Knoll employee who had worked on the program.
Aftermath
Empire was acquired by Neurobiological Technologies in 2004, and ancrod later failed a Phase III trial in 2008.
1975
BASF takes over Knoll PharmaceuticalsM&ABackground
Knoll became part of BASF as the German chemicals group expanded its pharmaceutical interests.
Action taken
BASF acquired and operated Knoll as a pharmaceutical business.
Aftermath
Knoll continued its pharmaceutical and drug-development activities under BASF ownership until its later sale to Abbott.
Recent events
- 2010
Sibutramine withdrawn in the United States and most other countries[1]
Regulation
Sibutramine, an anti-obesity medicine associated with Knoll and marketed by Abbott, was withdrawn from the United States and most other markets in 2010.
- 2008
Ancrod fails Phase III stroke trial[1]
Other
Ancrod, also known as Viprinex, failed a Phase III clinical trial for acute ischemic stroke. The failure contributed to the demise of Neurobiological Technologies, which held the program after earlier licensing and acquisition events.
- 2002
BASF sells Knoll Pharmaceuticals to Abbott Laboratories[1]
M&A
BASF sold Knoll Pharmaceuticals to Abbott Laboratories in a transaction completed on 30 June 2002. The reported purchase price was $6.9 billion, transferring the business and associated pharmaceutical assets to Abbott.
Sources1 sources
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