Company history

One of the most remarkable start-up business companies in the Saarland and a spin-off of the pharmaceutical faculty of the Saarland University Across Barriers GmbH was founded by Dr Eleonore Haltner and Professor Dr Claus-Michael Lehr in 1998 aiming at developing new in vitro-methods for substance characterization and offering these as a service for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and chemical industries. Our service portfolio has been complemented by physicochemical methods and analytic services so that we are in the position to be a reliable partner to our clients within the course of the entire product life cycle.

A promising start

In 1998 the outstanding know-how of the company founders, a solid concept and a wide range of progressive methods convinced the accountants of McKinsey, adjudicators of the start-up contest of Stern magazine and Sparkasse savings bank of Saarland. Winning this competition prepared the ground for the solid funding of the company.
Its success story continued and in May 2000 Across Barriers GmbH was awarded the "Gründer Champion 2000" prize, a competition announced by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology. Furthermore it reached the final of the Unternehmerpreis Mittelstand 2001 competition run by the DG bank and Woche magazine and of the "Entrepreneur of the Year 2002" competition run by Ernest & Young.

Innovative technology in a modern surrounding

In addition to the outstanding knowledge and high motivation of our staff, whose number has increased from four in 1998 to 30 to this very day, Across Barriers GmbH benefits from the conveniences of the Science Park Saar. Since September 2000 Across Barriers’ premises are located in this ultra-modern technology park situated right in front of the Saarland University. Choosing this site has enabled Across Barriers the possibility to offer services involving the use of state-of-the-art installations and technology while also securing a permanent cooperation with the researchers and facilities of the Saarland University.

Continuing to grow

In accordance with our service portfolio quality control standards within the company have been implemented with success in order to achieve the high level of excellence expected by our clients. Extending our service portfolio, especially in the physicochemistry and analytics sectors, has involved large investments and correlates with improvements to our quality standards.

Research and Development

Due to the expansion of our service portfolio the opportunity to develop our own research and development departments could be realised. This expansion enabled the company to take part in several national and international research and development projects.

Professional Training at Across Barriers

Across Barriers offers a variety of possibilities for professional training both in the laboratory and the office. At present there are three chemical laboratory technician trainees and one management assistant in informatics.