bioMerieux, Pierre Fabre to go their separate ways?
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Only a year after joining together to form the largest French independent pharmaceutical/healthcare group, in vitro diagnostic manufacturer bioMerieux and pharmaceutical and skin cosmetics producer Pierre Fabre may decide to demerge. A spokesperson for the company in Paris said that the company was at the beginning of a "period of reflection that will last months rather than weeks" at the end of which a decision would be made. The companies merged on January 1 2001, at which point it was agreed to review the synergies and success of the merger after a year. Combined sales of $550 million (+0.5%) were recorded by the group in 2000.