Almirall
Almirall is a Barcelona-based Spanish pharmaceutical company specializing in medical dermatology and other specialty medicines.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Almirall is a Spanish pharmaceutical company headquartered in Barcelona and focused primarily on medical dermatology. The company researches, develops, manufactures, licenses and commercializes prescription medicines for skin diseases, while retaining selected activities in other specialty therapeutic areas. Its dermatology portfolio addresses conditions including psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, actinic keratosis and other inflammatory or precancerous skin disorders. Founded in Spain in 1944, Almirall initially grew through internally developed and commercialized medicines in several therapeutic categories. During the late twentieth century it introduced products such as clebopride, almagate, piketoprofen, ebastine, cinitapride and aceclofenac, and began building an international presence through subsidiaries and partnerships. The company expanded outside Spain through operations in Belgium, Portugal, Mexico and a growing network of European markets. Almirall became a publicly traded company in Spain in 2007. Its subsequent development included acquisitions and licensing transactions intended to broaden its specialty pharmaceutical platform. Important steps included the acquisition of the dermatology specialist Hermal, the purchase of products from Shire, European rights to Sativex, the acquisition of Aqua Pharmaceuticals in 2013, and the purchase of Poli Group Holding and ThermiGen in 2016. In 2014, Almirall transferred its respiratory franchise rights to AstraZeneca, reinforcing a strategic shift toward dermatology. The company commercializes medicines under both its own brands and products obtained through collaboration or licensing arrangements. Notable dermatology brands include Ilumetri, Skilarence, Klisyri and Actikerall, while other products associated with Almirall's markets include Seysara, Monovo, Almax, Blastoestimulina and Rino-Ebastel. Product names, indications, regulatory status and availability differ by country. Almirall operates research and development facilities in Spain and Germany and maintains manufacturing capabilities in Spain and Germany. It collaborates with public research institutions, hospitals, universities and pharmaceutical partners, including organizations in Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. In 2023, the company reported total revenue of €898.8 million and approximately 1,904 employees, with a direct presence in 20 countries through subsidiaries in Europe and the United States. Financial and operating figures are year-specific and should be interpreted with reference to the relevant company report.
History
Almirall was established in Spain in 1944 and developed initially as a diversified pharmaceutical business. Its early growth combined domestic commercialization with internally generated research. In 1979, the company introduced clebopride in Spain, described as the first product arising from its internal research and development activities. It subsequently launched or commercialized medicines including the antacid almagate, the anti-inflammatory agent piketoprofen, the antihistamines ebastine and cinitapride, and aceclofenac. The company began international expansion in the 1980s, opening its first foreign subsidiary in Belgium in 1985 and a second in Portugal in 1993. A new headquarters in Barcelona opened in 1994. In 1997, Almirall and Prodesfarma combined their interests, strengthening the company's scale and product base. During the following decade, Almirall continued to expand internationally, opening or establishing operations in Mexico, Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, the Nordic countries and the Netherlands. In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved almotriptan, an anti-migraine medicine associated with Almirall's portfolio. The company also obtained European commercial rights to Sativex in 2005 for spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis. In 2006, it opened a research and development center in Sant Feliu de Llobregat near Barcelona and acquired a center specializing in inhalation technology. Almirall became listed on the Spanish stock market in 2007 and acquired Hermal, a European dermatology specialist. It also purchased a portfolio of eight products from Shire. The business began moving toward a stronger dermatology orientation in the early 2010s. It launched Actikerall in 2011 for local treatment of actinic keratosis and expanded its respiratory and dermatology portfolios in 2012 with aclidinium products, marketed in different territories under names including Eklira Genuair, Bretaris Genuair and Tudorza Pressair, as well as Monovo for inflammatory skin diseases. In 2013, the acquisition of Aqua Pharmaceuticals accelerated Almirall's concentration on medical dermatology. The company also launched Constella, a linaclotide product for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in Europe. In 2014, Almirall transferred its respiratory franchise rights to AstraZeneca. This transaction marked a significant portfolio decision: rather than maintaining comparable emphasis across respiratory medicine and dermatology, the company increasingly presented itself as a specialist dermatology pharmaceutical group. It continued this direction through the acquisition of Poli Group Holding and ThermiGen in 2016 and through subsequent licensing, development and commercialization partnerships. Almirall's modern portfolio includes medicines for psoriasis, acne, actinic keratosis and other inflammatory or immune-mediated skin diseases. Ilumetri, Skilarence, Seysara and Klisyri are among the brands associated with its medical dermatology activities, although regulatory indications and commercial responsibilities vary by territory. The company maintains research and manufacturing infrastructure in Spain and Germany and collaborates with public and private research organizations, including Spanish research institutions and international academic and healthcare partners. The company experienced a generational transition in its founding family in 2022. Jorge Gallardo Ballart was replaced by his son Carlos Gallardo Piqué as chairman in May, and Carlos Gallardo later assumed executive leadership. Almirall remains headquartered in Barcelona, listed in Spain and internationally active, with medical dermatology at the center of its stated strategy.
- 2022
Generational leadership transition
[3]Carlos Gallardo Piqué succeeds Jorge Gallardo Ballart as chairman and later assumes executive leadership.
- 2016
Poli Group Holding and ThermiGen acquisitions
[1]The company acquires Poli Group Holding and ThermiGen as part of its expansion in specialty and dermatology-related activities.
- 2014
Strategic concentration on dermatology
[1]Almirall transfers respiratory franchise rights to AstraZeneca and places greater strategic emphasis on dermatology.
- 2013
Aqua Pharmaceuticals acquisition
[1]The acquisition of Aqua Pharmaceuticals accelerates the company's strategic move into medical dermatology.
- 2007
Stock-market listing and Hermal acquisition
[1]Almirall floats on the Spanish stock market and acquires European dermatology specialist Hermal.
- 1997
Combination with Prodesfarma
[1]Almirall and Prodesfarma merge their interests, broadening the company's business base.
- 1985
First foreign subsidiary opens
[1]Almirall establishes its first subsidiary outside Spain in Belgium.
- 1979
First internally researched product launched
[1]The company launches clebopride in Spain, identified as the first product from its internal research and development organization.
- 1944
Almirall is founded in Spain
[1]Almirall is established as a Spanish pharmaceutical company.
Products and positioning
An international specialty pharmaceutical company with medical dermatology as its central strategic focus.
Dermatology biologic
Ilumetri
Ilumetri is a biologic medicine in Almirall's dermatology portfolio for approved psoriasis treatment settings. It is administered under locally approved prescribing and monitoring requirements. Its indications, reimbursement and availability differ among countries.
Oral psoriasis medicine
Skilarence
Skilarence is an oral prescription medicine used in specified markets for plaque psoriasis. It forms part of Almirall's European medical dermatology portfolio, with the approved patient population and prescribing information determined by national regulators.
Acne medicine
Seysara
Seysara is an oral prescription treatment associated with the management of moderate-to-severe acne, particularly in the United States. Its label, commercial ownership and availability are territory-specific.
Actinic keratosis medicine · 2021
Klisyri
Klisyri is a topical prescription treatment for specified actinic keratosis indications. The product expanded Almirall's medical dermatology offering in the United States and other markets where approved.
Actinic keratosis medicine · 2011
Actikerall
Actikerall is a topical product introduced for local treatment of actinic keratosis. It is associated with Almirall's earlier expansion in dermatology and is marketed subject to country-specific approvals.
Inflammatory skin-disease medicine · 2012
Monovo
Monovo is a topical dermatology brand used in specified markets for inflammatory skin conditions, including psoriasis-related indications. Exact formulation, approved uses and availability depend on local labeling.
Antacid · 1984
Almax
Almax is an antacid brand associated particularly with the Spanish market. It represents an established part of Almirall's broader pharmaceutical heritage outside its current medical-dermatology emphasis.
Topical pharmaceutical
Blastoestimulina
Blastoestimulina is a pharmaceutical brand marketed in Spain and associated with topical treatment applications. Product composition, indications and status should be checked against current Spanish regulatory and company information.
Brand decisions
2014
Concentrate the portfolio on medical dermatologyStrategyBackground
Almirall had businesses in both respiratory medicine and dermatology, but sought to build a stronger position in the latter specialty.
Action taken
The company transferred rights to its respiratory franchise to AstraZeneca and subsequently articulated dermatology as its principal strategic focus.
Aftermath
The decision was followed by further dermatology acquisitions, licensing activity and portfolio development, including expansion around psoriasis, acne and actinic keratosis.
2013
Acquire Aqua PharmaceuticalsM&ABackground
Almirall was seeking to accelerate its development as a specialist medical-dermatology company.
Action taken
The company acquired Aqua Pharmaceuticals, a dermatology-focused business.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Almirall's dermatology platform, especially in North America, and supported its subsequent strategic repositioning.
2007
Acquire Hermal and list on the Spanish marketM&ABackground
Almirall sought greater scale and a stronger presence in specialty pharmaceuticals and dermatology.
Action taken
The company completed its Spanish stock-market flotation and acquired Hermal, a European dermatology specialist.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened the dermatology capabilities that later became central to Almirall's corporate strategy.
Recent events
Almirall announces two dermatology research collaborations[6]
Reported:
AlmirallShare, Almirall's open innovation platform, announced two collaborations with the University of South Australia and Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. The projects concern research into squamous cell carcinoma and atopic dermatitis.
Almirall announced two research collaborations[7]
Reported:
Almirall announced two collaborations: one with the University of South Australia focused on squamous cell carcinoma research, and another with Fundació Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau focused on atopic dermatitis.
Almirall launches second Digital Garden innovation challenge[8]
Reported:
Almirall launched the second innovation challenge under Digital Garden, inviting worldwide startups working on digital-health solutions to apply for a nine-month accelerator. Five selected teams were expected to begin the program in January.
Sources8 sources
- 1Almirallen.wikipedia.org
- 2Almirall corporate websitealmirall.com
- 3Almirall corporate governancealmirall.com
- 4Almirall newsroomalmirall.com
- 5FDA approves tirbanibulin ointment for actinic keratosisfda.gov
- 6Almirall宣布两项皮肤病学研究合作fnarena.com
- 7Almirall宣布两项研究合作prnewswire.com
- 8Almirall推出第二届Digital Garden创新挑战prnewswire.co.uk
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