An internal Grünenthal paper from August 17, 1959 mentioned the increasing number of reports on side effects connected to Thalidomide. Again, Grünenthal did not take those reports seriously. In the paper those side effects were dismissed as rare allergic reactions. For the next steps, Grünenthal’s sales representatives were to focus on emphasizing the positive effects of Contergan (Thalidomide).

This internal paper from August 1959 was countersigned by Dr. Mückter, Grünenthal’s research director, and other leading Grünenthal employees.

Source: Anklageschrift (indictment) from 1967, today archived at the National Archives of North Rhine-Westphalia in Duisburg, Germany (Rheinland Division, Gerichte Rep. 139, No. 1–396), p. 72.