Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

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125 Years of the Paul-Ehrlich-In­sti­tut

On 1 June 1896, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, then still known as the "Institute for Serum Research and Serum Testing", was founded in Steglitz near Berlin. Today it enjoys national and international recognition in the field of biomedicine as the Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicine in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesgesundheitsministerium, BMG), based in Langen, Hesse. For 125 years, it has accompanied the development of innovative medicines and, with its regulatory expertise and its own research work, has made a significant contribution to the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines and biomedicines and thus to the health of the population. Although the pandemic does not allow this important date to be celebrated publicly, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is using this occasion to take a look at important milestones in its history.

Anniversary Video "125 Years of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut"

Developing and implementing official drug controls - that was the task of the Institute for Serum Research and Serum Testing, founded in 1896. At that time, the criteria for testing drugs for quality, safety and efficacy, which are still valid for us today, were developed. The development of the standard measure of value, the so-called immunity unit, by Paul Ehrlich, the founder and first director of the Institute, was initially decisive for this. This work was instrumental in his being awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1908. His research provided important insights: the side-chain theory, which explained the fundamental principle of immunity, and his staining methods, which differentiated different types of blood cells and made it possible to diagnose numerous blood diseases - both important cornerstones for today's medicine.

Globally recognised and networked, committed to drug innovation in biomedicine

The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut has been a federal authority since 1972 and in this capacity has assumed increasing responsibilities and tasks in the field of biomedicine. Since 1996, for example, the Institute has been responsible for blood-derived medicinal products and since 2004 for gene transfer medicinal products. Today, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is a globally recognised and networked testing and research institute. Experts from the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut are active in committees and working groups of international organisations, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). As a higher federal authority, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut also assumes tasks that serve to prepare and implement political decisions in the complex field of biomedicine.

In addition to novel human and veterinary vaccines, advanced therapy medicinal products, antibodies, allergens and immunotherapeutics as well as in vitro diagnostics for dangerous human pathogens and blood products round off the Institute's portfolio in human medicine. The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut is thus committed to translation and innovation in biomedical therapy.

System-relevant tasks during the pandemic

The current Corona pandemic illustrates how important the tasks and international cooperation of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut are. "We are accompanying vaccines and biomedical drugs against COVID-19 from the development of initial concepts to authorisation and application. We started early with extensive scientific consultations and were thus able to approve the first clinical trial of a vaccine against COVID-19 as early as April 2020. We contribute our expertise to the various EMA committees, actively advise policymakers and, in particular, have the safety of the vaccines firmly in mind. In this way, we are making an important global contribution to overcoming the pandemic," explains Professor Klaus Cichutek, President of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. "Our accompanying research makes us a competent and sought-after partner when it comes to evaluating innovative vaccines and biomedical drugs against COVID-19."

Even after authorisation, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut continuously monitors the medicinal products in its area of responsibility. Via an established reporting system, it records and evaluates suspected cases of adverse reactions in order to recognise so-called risk signals as quickly as possible and to be able to take appropriate measures.

The quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products are always the focus of the Paul-Ehrlich- Institut. This applies to established biomedicines as well as to novel products such as antibody and immunotherapies, RNA or vector vaccines against COVID-19.

Updated: 01.06.2021