Betulin is an extract from bark of the white birch tree, which has been known since the 18th century and is chemically defined. Betulin was discovered by German-Russian chemist Johann Tobias Lowitz. He was the first scientist to study and characterise betulin, and in doing was one of the first to isolate an active plant ingredient. In numerous scientific studies, the natural active ingredient betulin has been found to have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and regenerating properties. Birken AG creates a patented process for extracting high-quality betulin from birch bark. Betulin works as keratinocyte modulator and transient receptor potential channel stimulant. An extensive study program including three clinical phase III trials was initiated to develop the drug candidate Oleogel-S10, Betulin-based oleogel, as the lead indication for accelerated wound healing of partial thickness wounds. In addition, Oleogel-S10 obtained the Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of hereditary skin disorder Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) from the European Commission. Betulin can be easily converted to betulinic acid, which possesses a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological activities. Betulinic acid has antimalarial and anti-inflammatory activities. Betulinic acid and its derivatives have especially shown anti-HIV activity and cytotoxicity against a variety of tumor cell lines comparable to some clinically used drugs.