We are looking forward to participating in the Swiss Biotech Day again on 4 and 5 May 2026. As a pharma consulting company with a Swiss presence in Riehen/Basel, we are proud to be a member of the renowned Swiss Biotech Association.

This year, we are particularly interested in the following events and panel discussions:

We look forward to exchanging ideas with international experts from the biotechnology industry.

PharmaKorell will be represented by Dr Konrad Dreizler at the Swiss Biotech Day in Basel on 4 – 5 May 2026.

We invite you to join us for discussions on a wide range of topics, including quality management, EU QP certification, provision of key personnel such as Responsible Persons (FvP), cross-border pharmaceutical services, business development, as well as pharmaceutical logistics and packaging.

We look forward to engaging with you in an informal setting and working together to find solutions to your challenges.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us to arrange a meeting.

In 2026, PharmaKorell was once again recognised by kununu. In addition to its repeated recognition as a Top Company, the company received two further distinctions this year: the Top Rated seal for Salary Satisfaction for the second year in a row, and the Top Rated seal for Family Friendliness for the first time. All kununu seals are based on authentic employee reviews and are awarded to only around 3% of employers on kununu in each category. Particularly encouraging is the fact that this recognition is also reflected in the detailed ratings: 94% of employees are satisfied with their salary, and PharmaKorell achieved 4.4 out of 5 points in the category Salary & Benefits.

The broader picture of PharmaKorell’s employer rating is equally strong. Since 2023, the company has been rated by 16 employees, achieving an average score of 4.5 out of 5. This places PharmaKorell well above the industry average in consulting, which stands at 3.9 points. Particularly strong results were achieved in the categories Diversity with 4.8 points, as well as Career & Salary and Company Culture, each with 4.5 points. The working environment was also rated very positively, with 4.4 points.

From a company perspective, these results are especially valuable because they reflect several important aspects of day-to-day working life at once. They show that employees experience PharmaKorell not only as a professionally demanding environment, but also as an employer where appreciation, development opportunities and a supportive working culture are genuinely felt in everyday practice. In a specialised setting such as the pharmaceutical and life sciences sector, this is an important factor in attracting and retaining qualified professionals over the long term.

The fact that PharmaKorell has received repeated recognition over several years gives these results additional significance. A consistently positive employer perception is not created through isolated measures, but through structures and behaviours that prove their value in everyday working life. The current awards and rating figures make exactly that visible.

PharmaKorell would like to thank all employees whose feedback has contributed to this development. Such feedback is not only a valuable affirmation, but also an important impetus for the continued development of the company’s culture.

Dr Ulrich Korell, Managing Director and Founder of PharmaKorell, will be representing our company at this year’s Making Pharmaceuticals exhibition in Coventry. Having attended the event as visitors last year, we have decided to exhibit with our own stand this year. You will find us at Stand 306, together with our Normec sister company, Synergy Health.

A particular focus of our presence at this year’s trade fair is artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical industry. We are particularly interested in the following programme items:

21 April 2026, 12:45 AI in Pharma: Navigating Innovation and Regulation Together
Moderated by Dr Andrew King, with Kevin Bailey (MHRA), Adam McLennan (AstraZeneca), and Martin Lush (Martin Lush Consulting / HelpmeGMP)

21 April 2026, 15:30 ISPE Panel Discussion: ISPE COP Updates (Pharma 4.0, GAMP & CQV): Industry Hot Topics and Trends Discussion
With Nicholas Kesterton, Mohammed Ahmed, Dr Siegfried Schmitt, Karolina Woodford and ISPE

22 April 2026, 09:15 AI for the WDA(H): Strengthening GDP Compliance and Operational Efficiency
With Lori Laing, Reckitt

For UK pharmaceutical manufacturers, we manage the import of medicinal products into the EU as well as EU QP certification for commercial supply or clinical trials. Where required, we also support with customs clearance and distribution. In this way, the EU external border no longer needs to be a competitive disadvantage for British manufacturers.

We look forward to valuable discussions and expert exchange in Coventry.

Meet Normec Synergy Health and PharmaKorell GmbH at Stand 306 at Making Pharmaceuticals in Coventry on 21–22 April 2026 – two specialised companies within the Normec Group. Our Managing Director and founder, Dr. Ulrich Korell, looks forward to meeting you in person.

As a German pharmaceutical consulting company, we have supported more than 200 pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide since 2007, across over 30 countries, with a team of more than 25 professionals.

For UK pharmaceutical manufacturers, we manage the import of UK medicinal products into the EU and provide EU QP certification for commercial supply or clinical trials. If required, we can also take care of customs clearance and distribution. This means the EU’s external border no longer has to be a competitive disadvantage for UK manufacturers.

To arrange a meeting, please message us on email at info@pharmakorell.com.

Dr Stefanie Schmidt has been part of PharmaKorell since December 2025 and strengthens our team in Munich as a Senior Consultant. With experience spanning academic research, community pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing, and leadership roles in the quality function of a CDMO, she brings a broad range of perspectives – combining scientific depth with the pragmatism of day-to-day GMP work.

To get to know her and the way she works, we asked Dr Schmidt a few questions: What genuinely helps when making decisions under pressure? Which process improvement is often underestimated, even though it almost always delivers? And which principles, as a QP, remain non-negotiable – even in capacity crunch situations?

Your career path spans academic research, community pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing, and leadership responsibilities in the quality function of a contract manufacturer (CDMO) – and now consulting. How has this breadth shaped your approach to risk assessment and decision-making under pressure?

The variety of perspectives and experiences helps me prioritise flexibly depending on the situation. In some moments, strict compliance with the rules is what matters most; in others, it is a very practical understanding of processes and their limits. Especially in a GMP environment, you quickly see how important it is to bring theory and reality together and to interpret grey areas correctly.

The combination of a scientific background, operational experience, and regulatory understanding now helps me assess risks holistically and make pragmatic decisions that are still technically sound.

Which system or process improvement almost always leads to better outcomes, yet is still frequently underestimated?

One often underestimated but highly effective improvement is the systematic involvement of the employees who work with the processes every day. They know bottlenecks, workarounds, and opportunities and they often provide the quickest “quick wins”. When employees are actively involved in improvement efforts, willingness to adopt and sustain new solutions increases significantly. However, there is often a lack of a clear method to capture experiential knowledge systematically and translate it into improvements.

What hard-earned insight would you definitely pass on?

One important insight, although I suspect it doesn’t really spare anyone detours, is that expertise alone is not enough. What matters is the willingness to make decisions and take responsibility for them. This sense of responsibility does not develop by itself; it grows through practice, reflection, and an open approach to mistakes, which is not a weakness, but a sign of professionalism that builds trust.

Equally important is asking questions rather than staying silent out of uncertainty. Questions prevent misunderstandings and accelerate real learning.

So if there is one thing I would pass on, it’s this: decide courageously, ask curious questions, and learn openly from mistakes.

Which types of customer challenges appeal to you most in your new role as a Senior Consultant at PharmaKorell—and why?

I’m particularly drawn to customer challenges where I can directly apply my experience from pharmaceutical contract manufacturing, especially in the field of sterile medicinal products, to support customers in a very practical way.

At the same time, I’m looking forward to challenges that help me grow both technically and methodologically. The pharmaceutical world is diverse and evolving rapidly. The opportunity to look beyond my previous technical focus, explore new subject areas, and get to know different ways of thinking and working is highly motivating for me.

Ultimately, what excites me most is the mix: a varied “bouquet” of projects, structures, and questions. For me, that variety is what makes the consultant role so appealing right now.

In times of capacity constraints, pressure can increase to release batches particularly quickly. As a QP, what are your non-negotiables? Where do you draw the line, regardless of circumstances?

The role of the QP was intentionally established by the legislator as the final independent safeguard between manufacturing and the patient and that is exactly how I understand it. Medicinal products are a special good, and in the end it is always about people who trust that we take our responsibility seriously. I draw the line where patient safety can no longer be guaranteed beyond doubt. If uncertainties remain, if data are missing, or if risks have not been fully assessed, then I cannot and must not release a batch. This decision must not be influenced by time pressure, commercial interests, or external expectations.

As a globally operating consultancy and certification firm, we continuously monitor pharmaceutical innovations and trends worldwide and enjoy networking within our industry. This year we will be participating in the following international events, among others:

CPHI Europe | Milan | 6 – 8 October 2026

Festival of Biologics | Basel | 13 – 15 October 2026

Swiss Biotech Day | Basel | 4 – 5 May 2026

Making Pharmaceuticals | Coventry | 21 – 22 April 2026

CPHI China | Shanghai | 16 – 18 June 2026

BIO International Convention | San Diego | 22 – 25 June 2026

What’s on your trade show agenda for 2026? We are always open to further suggestions. We look forward to possibly meeting you at one or more of these events.

On behalf of the entire PharmaKorell team, we extend our warmest Season’s Greetings to everyone, whether near or far! We look forward to continuing to assist our clients in safely bringing innovative medication to the market in the coming year.

From 24 December to 6 January, our availability will be limited.For urgent matters, you can reach us between the holidays at info@pharmakorell.com.

Recently, we introduced the option for employees to take a sabbatical – planned time away from work to explore personal projects. Dr Claus-Jürgen Koch, who has been part of PharmaKorell in Munich since 2022, took this chance together with his family. Shortly after his return, we asked him how he experienced this special time.

What motivated you to take a sabbatical? What was the key trigger that made you take the step?
The idea of immersing myself in another world for a while, getting to know a different country, its people, and their way of life, has always fascinated me. A standard holiday is usually too short to truly get to know a place or its culture. I also hadn’t had an extended period for myself, beyond normal holidays, since my early school years, without school or work obligations. A longer stay abroad, ideally combined with a professional break, had long been a dream of mine.

The fact that PharmaKorell offers the option of taking time away from work while still receiving a salary and remaining fully insured was one of the decisive reasons for taking the sabbatical.

The timing also worked well with our children’s school schedule, as both were still in primary school. And financial considerations naturally also played a role, since we no longer had any major financial commitments, we were able to take this step with confidence, especially as I could return to my previous role directly afterwards.

Why Australia? Was there a particular reason or dream behind it?
Yes, we have friends who emigrated to Australia three years ago, and we visited them there two years ago. As we loved that one-month trip, choosing Australia for the sabbatical was easy. Australia offers stunning nature, exotic endemic wildlife and a way of life not too different from our own. It is a very safe country, yet full of adventure if one seeks it.

This time, however, the set-up was different. It was no longer a simple holiday but an extended stay, meaning many things had to be organised in advance. We have two primary-school-aged children who needed formal exemption from compulsory schooling. The requirement was to provide alternative schooling, which, fortunately, their school in Germany supported fully. With the bilingual German School Melbourne, we found an excellent solution. Small classes and no language barrier meant an easy transition.

We then had to arrange accommodation in Melbourne, organise care for our home in Germany, book flights, apply for visas, and so on. And of course, both our employers had to approve the plans. PharmaKorell proved to be extremely supportive. I worked full-time for six months beforehand, thereby accumulating the time for six months of sabbatical, meaning I received half of my usual salary for a total of twelve months. For my wife, the process was unfortunately more complicated, and she eventually decided to resign and reorient herself after the sabbatical.

What experiences in Australia had the greatest impact on you and your family?
Spending so much time together as a family and truly being present for one another was wonderful. We grew closer as a unit and learned that we can always rely on each other. We handled every challenge together,  something that will undoubtedly benefit us in the future.

We also really enjoyed the relaxed Australian lifestyle. I felt Australians place far less importance on appearances and status symbols such as clothes or cars.

Was there a moment that stayed with you in particular?
Yes, during the final two weeks, we travelled through the Outback in a campervan. The vastness and silence were unforgettable. You step out of the vehicle and hear nothing but the wind. You hardly find that level of quiet anywhere back home. And occasionally, emus and kangaroos wandered across our path.

Which cultural differences did you notice?
Australia is a classic immigration country, and this diversity is clearly visible and lived. However, many arrivals originate from Europe, so cultural differences often felt subtle rather than stark. Australians are open, humorous, and place strong emphasis on fairness and respectful interaction. Small things stood out, for instance, how easily conversations begin with strangers. Small talk is natural there; in Germany, this often feels more reserved.

What did you learn about yourself or your family along the way?
We realised how little one actually needs. At home, we have a full household; on the road, one large bag per person was enough. Nothing was missing, not even for the children. Experience mattered more than possessions.

Did the sabbatical change how you view your work or role at PharmaKorell?
Not fundamentally. However, the distance made me even more aware of how valuable good structure and reliable colleagues are. I was reintegrated smoothly and warmly, something I greatly appreciate.

Which impulses or ideas do you bring back into the company?
The sabbatical helped me regroup and return with more energy and focus. I experienced Australians as pragmatic and solution-oriented, perhaps due to cultural diversity, a mindset I share. Travelling with children required continual adaptability, and this reinforced my belief that change is both challenge and opportunity. I hope to contribute this flexibility going forward.

Would you recommend taking a sabbatical and if so, why?
Absolutely. For anyone able and willing to take such a step, a sabbatical offers a rare chance to step away from everyday life and gain distance, both personally and professionally. It allows you to re-evaluate priorities, reshape perspectives, and experience life differently. Living in another country for an extended period, getting to know people and culture more deeply, is a tremendous enrichment.

How was the return to work?
Very smooth. I had handed over, paused or completed my projects before leaving, making the transition back easy. My colleagues covered outstanding tasks excellently and made re-entry effortless.

Have you kept any habits or attitudes from Australia?
Yes, above all, more calmness. Without work commitments, our daily rhythm was more relaxed, and this reflected positively in the way we interacted. I hope to preserve some of that calm even in busy periods. Our children also felt life as a family became more harmonious, something we definitely hope to maintain.

Thank you, Claus-Jürgen, for the inspiring insight and for sharing your journey.

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And how did the organisational side of things work?

Employees can receive 50% of their regular salary during the sabbatical.
As no work is performed during the leave period, the time must be worked in advance.

Example:
6 months full-time work + 6 months leave → 12 months paid at 50% salary

The employment relationship continues fully during the sabbatical.

Therefore:

• Social insurance contributions (health, pension, care, unemployment) continue normally
• No special tax rules apply — salary simply continues at a reduced level
• No administrative actions such as deregistration/re-registration are required

A sabbatical at PharmaKorell is therefore legally and organisationally straightforward while ensuring stable financial planning and protection.

• After being named a Top Company in 2024 and 2025, PharmaKorell GmbH has also received the kununu Top Company Award for 2026 in recognition of its outstanding company culture.

• The employer seal highlights organisations with high employee satisfaction and is awarded exclusively on the basis of independent reviews on kununu.

• Around five per cent of all companies on kununu are recognised as a Top Company each year.

• kununu CEO Nina Zimmermann: “A strong signal to talents who are looking for their ideal employer.”

The employer review platform kununu has awarded PharmaKorell GmbH the Top Company Seal 2026. The award is based on the independent evaluations submitted by employees on the platform. This places PharmaKorell among the companies with the best working environment in Germany. “We congratulate PharmaKorell GmbH on once again receiving the Top Company Seal. Achieving this for the third consecutive year is something truly special,” says Nina Zimmermann, CEO of kununu.

“Only five per cent of companies qualify for this special seal. It sends a positive signal – both as a mark of quality for prospective applicants and as a reflection of a company’s culture to its current employees. Seventy-one per cent of companies that received the seal reported an increase in applications. In addition, 81 per cent consider the award an important part of their employer branding strategy.”

“We are delighted to have been recognised as a kununu Top Company for the third year in a row,” says Dr Ulrich Korell, founder and Managing Director of PharmaKorell.

“Constructive collaboration and a positive working environment are extremely important at PharmaKorell. We place great value on ensuring that the rules for working together are agreed collectively within the team – either in the full group or through a smaller focus group chosen by the team – and that team decisions are supported and implemented by everyone. These team decisions cover a broad range of topics, such as our shared company values, the procedure for calculating the annual performance bonus, expectations around availability when working outside the office, which employee benefits we introduce, the selection of our new digital document system (eQMS), which charitable organisations we support as a company, the destination of our next team outing, the drinks and snacks provided free of charge, or which images we hang in the communal areas.”

A survey by kununu of companies that received the Top Company Seal during the previous award season found: 80 per cent of surveyed companies received positive feedback about the seal during the recruitment process. Furthermore, 81 per cent of award recipients would recommend that other employers pursue the Top Company qualification.