Pierre Fabre
Pierre Jacques Louis Fabre (Castres, April 16, 1926 – Lavaur, July 20, 2013)[1] was a French pharmacist and entrepreneur, founder of Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, one of the three largest pharmaceutical groups in France. In 2010, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour of France.[2]
History
After researching the skin benefits of Ruscus aculeatus (a plant very common in the Castres region), Pierre Fabre founded his own laboratory in 1961 by launching the first natural-origin venotonic, Cyclo3. In 1963, he acquired INAVA laboratories, strengthening his position in healthcare products. Two years later, he acquired Klorane laboratories, thus entering the dermocosmetics market. This strategy continued with the acquisition of prestigious pharmacy and parapharmacy brands such as Ducray in 1969, Galénic in 1977, and René Furterer in 1978.
Pierre began his international expansion by establishing subsidiaries in various countries, with the first being Spain, Italy, and Germany. He also made international acquisitions such as the American laboratory Genesis in 2002 and the Brazilian company Laboratórios Darrow, specializing in oncology and dermocosmetic products.
Pierre Fabre became one of the most influential figures in the French pharmaceutical sector, becoming the most powerful person in the Midi-Pyrénées region, employing over 10,000 people, 4,000 of whom resided in France.
Most of the group's production centers and decision-making sites are located in the Tarn and Midi-Pyrénées regions. He owned a spring in Avène-les-Bains since the 1970s, which is now one of the world's most prestigious thermal stations in the field of dermatology.
In 2008, he transferred 71% of the Pierre Fabre Laboratories Group to the Pierre Fabre Foundation, which was recognized as a 'Public Interest' organization by the French state, retaining 29% ownership of the group.
He remained president of both Laboratoires Pierre Fabre and the Pierre Fabre Foundation until his death.
Honours and Distinctions
- Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour (06/11/1998).[3]
- Knight Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (31/12/2009).[3]