About us

History

1989

Founded

INFAI was founded in 1989 by Dr Sitke Aygen at the University of Witten-Herdecke.

1991

Technology Center Bochum

In 1991, INFAI moved to the Technology Center Bochum.

1992

Clinical Trials

Since 1992 INFAI worked on various clinical studies in cooperation with several hospitals and universities in order to meet the criteria for approval of ¹³C urea breath tests.

1994

Further clinical trials

In 1994, INFAI started several clinical trials for Astrazeneca, Solvay Pharmaceuticals and Altana. (more information see part Helicobacter Test INFAI and Gastromotal)

1996

Application for approval at EMA

In 1996, INFAI submitted a marketing authorization application to the EMA for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection using the ¹³C breath test.

1997

Europe-wide approval for the Helicobacter Test INFAI

In 1997, INFAI received as first company Europe-wide approval for all EU countries for the Helicobacter test INFAI by EMA (European Medicines Agency) in London.

1998

Installation of a new production line

In 1998 INFAI installed a new production line with an annual capacity of 3 million kits in the Bochum Technology Centre.

2000

Moving to Technology Centre in Cologne

The department for research, development and marketing moved to the Technology Centre in Cologne. The production remained in Bochum

2001

Development of new non-invasive breath tests

INFAI developed several breath tests (Pancreo-Lip, Gastromotal, Metabo-Test and Lactoin-Test).

2002

New ¹³C-Urea blood test

In 2002 INFAI developed a new ¹³C-Urea blood test for helicobacter infection.

2003

EU patent for Gastromotal

In 2003 INFAI received the EU patent for Gastromotal (Gastric emptying test).

2005

New modified breath test

In 2005 INFAI started clinical trials for modified Helicobacter breath test for patients taking PPI and applied for an EU and US patent.

2006

US patent for ¹³C-Urea blood test (Heliblue)

In 2006 INFAI received an US patent for Heliblue.

2007

Gastromotal new Application for EU approval

In 2007 INFAI submitted an application for Gastromotal (a breath test to determine gastric emptying rate) by EMA (European
Medicines Agency, London). The approval will be valid in all European countries through a centralized procedure.

2007

Unlimited approval for Helicobacter pylori test

2007 INFAI received unlimited approval for all European countries for Helicobacter Test INFAI by EMA.

2007

Movetis study

In 2007 INFAI started a study for treatment of symptoms suggestive for gastroparesis by using Gastromotal (Sponsor: Movetis).

2008

Withdrawal of the application for Gastromotal

In 2008, INFAI withdrew the application for Gastromotal in order to perform further clinical trials as requested by the EMA.

2009

INFAI received EU patent for modified Helicobacter breath test

In 2009, INFAI received EU patent obtained for modified Helicobacter breath test for patient taking PPI.

2009

Urea cycle disorders study

In 2009, INFAI started a Pilot feasibility study in healthy subjects and healthy asymptomatic subjects genetically disposed to urea cycle disorders to evaluate the use of ¹³C isotope ratio measurement (Sponsor: Cytonet).

2010

New Clinical trial for Gastromotal

In 2010, INFAI started a new clinical trial for Gastromotal to meet the EMA approval criteria.

2010

US patent for Pancreo-Lip

INFAI received the US patent for Pancreo-Lip for the determination of exocrine pancreatic insuffiency.

2010

Research Grant by ZIM

In 2010, INFAI and Bruker Biospin received a research grant by ZIM for the Urine Based Newborn Screening Project by using NMR Spectroscopy.

2011

Started INFAI several new studies

Gastromotal
A new study with ¹³C-octanoic acid breath test for the diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic treatment in patients with delayed gastric emptying as requested by EMA

HEAT study
INFAI started a study with the University of Nottingham including 40, 000 patients on “Helicobacter treatment to prevent gastric bleeding in aspirin users: a large simple randomized controlled trial (The Helicobacter Eradication Aspirin Trial (HEAT))”

PPI study
Second study requested by EMA on sensitivity and specificity in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative patients with dyspepsia taking proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

2013

US patent

In 2013 INFAI received the US patent for Method for isolating urea while removing objectionable CO2.

2014

EU patent

In 2014 INFAI received the EU patent for Method for isolating urea while removing objectionable CO2.

2016

The move of the production from Bochum to Hagen

In 2016, the production moved from Bochum to Hagen and a new, modern production line was installed.

2017

INFAI launched the second PPI study

In 2017 INFAI started the second PPI study. This study will investigate the sensitivity and specificity in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative patients with dyspepsia and GERD taking proton pump inhibitors.

2018

Clinical study on the efficacy of various apheresis methods

In 2018, INFAI started a clinical study on the efficacy of various apheresis procedures using the Cardio Test INFAI (Sponsor: INFAI).

2019

Production plant with a serialization system

In 2019 INFAI expanded its production plant with a serialization system to meet the EU Directive 2011/62/EU for the prevention of counterfeit medicines.

2020

Move of research and development to the Bio-Medicine Centre Bochum

In 2020 the department for research and development of INFAI was moved from Cologne to the Bio-Medicine Centre in Bochum.

2023

Relocation of the headquarters from Cologne to Hagen

The headquarters of INFAI GmbH and its administration were relocated to the production site in Hagen.