Friedrich Bayer & Company

Friedrich Bayer & Co., also known as Bayer Co. was a German chemical and pharmaceutical company most famous for its development and patenting of Aspirin, made from acetylsalicylic acid. By 1899, Bayer held a world wide patent on the drug. After the first world war, Bayer, its trademark and its assets were confiscated by the United States, Canada, and several other countries (predominantly taken over by Sterling Drug). Later, the Bayer corporation was integrated into the IG Farben conglomerate. It was reconstituted as an independent company after WWII and continues to be one of the world's largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies.