Laboratoires Pierre Fabre
French pharmaceutical, dermatology and health-care products group headquartered in Castres.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Laboratoires Pierre Fabre is a French multinational health-care group headquartered in Castres, in the former Midi-Pyrénées region of France. Founded in 1962 by pharmacist and entrepreneur Pierre Fabre, the company combines pharmaceutical research and development with consumer health, dermatology and cosmetics activities. Its business model spans prescription medicines, dermatological products, family health products and beauty brands, giving it a position between a conventional pharmaceutical company and a broad health-and-wellness group. The company’s pharmaceutical activities include research, development, manufacture and marketing of medicines. It is particularly associated with oncology products derived from the vinca-alkaloid family. Vinorelbine, marketed as Navelbine, became one of the group’s best-known medicines after receiving marketing authorisation in 1989. The company also developed vinflunine, a fluorinated vinca-alkaloid derivative used in certain markets for advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract after failure of a prior platinum-containing regimen. These products represent the group’s specialist prescription-medicine heritage, while its dermatology and consumer divisions broaden its reach into everyday health care. Dermatology became a distinct strategic area during the 1980s. Pierre Fabre Dermatologie was established in 1984, and the group subsequently developed a portfolio covering dermatological treatment and skin care. Laboratoires Avène was created in 1989, and the Avène thermal spa reopened in 1990. The Avène activities helped connect the group’s pharmaceutical and dermatological expertise with consumer-facing skin-care products. Pierre Fabre also holds a patent concerning the combination of ciclopirox olamine and piroctone olamine, active substances used together in products addressing dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. International development has been a recurring feature of the company’s history. Pierre Fabre Japan was established in 1986 as a joint venture with Shiseido, and the group later expanded its commercial presence to more than 130 countries. In 2012, the company reported consolidated turnover of €1.978 billion, with international business representing 54% of the total; the same reference period described a workforce of approximately 10,000 people, including about 6,700 employees based in France. These figures are historical rather than current operating guidance. The group has also maintained a public-interest dimension through the Pierre Fabre Foundation. Recognised as being of public utility in 1999, the foundation works to improve access to quality everyday health care and essential medicines in less advanced and emerging countries, as well as in areas affected by severe political, economic or natural crises. In the 2010s, Pierre Fabre undertook organisational changes intended to reshape its business and research platform. In December 2014, management announced the planned elimination of 551 positions in France and Barcelona, affecting research and development and medical-promotion functions. The company presented the restructuring within a strategic programme called Trajectoires 2018, while trade unions raised concerns about the scale of potential job losses despite proposed internal redeployment. In March 2025, Marie-Andrée Gamache was appointed to lead the Pierre Fabre Medical Care division. Later in 2025, the group inaugurated Campus Chartreuse, a new headquarters in Castres. The company therefore remains an active, internationally oriented group whose identity is built around prescription pharmaceuticals, dermatology, cosmetics and family health care.
History
Laboratoires Pierre Fabre was established in 1962 by Pierre Fabre, a French pharmacist and entrepreneur. From its base in Castres, the company developed into a diversified health-care group rather than remaining focused on a single medicine category. Its activities came to include prescription pharmaceuticals, dermatology, cosmetics and family health products, supported by internal research, development, manufacturing and marketing capabilities. A major stage in the group’s development was the creation of Pierre Fabre Dermatologie in 1984. Two years later, Pierre Fabre Japan was established as a joint venture with Shiseido, providing an early platform for international expansion in Asia. In 1989, vinorelbine received marketing authorisation. The medicine, marketed as Navelbine, became one of the group’s most recognised oncology products. The same year also saw the creation of Laboratoires Avène, linking Pierre Fabre’s pharmaceutical background with dermatological skin care. The Avène thermal spa reopened in 1990, while the Pierre Fabre Immunology Centre in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois was inaugurated. The company’s pharmaceutical portfolio subsequently included vinflunine, a fluorinated vinca-alkaloid derivative available in Australia for a specified urothelial-cancer indication after failure of prior platinum-based treatment. Pierre Fabre also developed intellectual property around the combined use of ciclopirox olamine and piroctone olamine for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. These developments illustrate the group’s combination of specialist medicines and dermatological care. The Pierre Fabre Foundation added a social and public-health dimension to the group’s institutional identity. The foundation was recognised as being of public utility in 1999. Its stated mission is to support access to quality everyday health care and essential medicines in less advanced and emerging countries and in regions affected by major political, economic or natural crises. By 2012, the group’s reported consolidated turnover was €1.978 billion, with 54% generated internationally. It reported approximately 10,000 employees, of whom around 6,700 were based in France. The company described itself as operating in more than 130 countries, demonstrating the international scope of its commercial organisation. Leadership and organisational restructuring became prominent in the following decade. Olivier Bohuon served as chief executive from September 2010 to April 2011. In December 2014, the group announced to trade unions a plan to remove 551 positions in France and Barcelona, including nearly 200 in the Midi-Pyrénées region. Research and development and medical-promotion units were affected. Management presented the plan as part of Trajectoires 2018 and referred to internal redeployment, while unions expressed concern about the consequences for employment. In March 2025, Marie-Andrée Gamache was appointed to head the Pierre Fabre Medical Care division. Later that year, the company inaugurated Campus Chartreuse, a new headquarters in Castres. The group’s historical trajectory therefore runs from a regional French pharmaceutical foundation to an internationally active portfolio business spanning medicines, dermatology, cosmetics and family health.
- 2025
Medical Care leadership change and Castres headquarters opening
[1]Marie-Andrée Gamache was appointed to lead Pierre Fabre Medical Care, and the group inaugurated Campus Chartreuse in Castres later in the year.
- 2014
Trajectoires 2018 restructuring announced
[1]Management announced the planned elimination of 551 positions in France and Barcelona as part of the Trajectoires 2018 strategic plan.
- 2012
Historical turnover and workforce reported
[1]The group reported consolidated turnover of €1.978 billion, 54% international, and approximately 10,000 employees.
- 1999
Pierre Fabre Foundation recognised as a public utility
[1]The Pierre Fabre Foundation received recognition as an organisation serving the public interest and focused on access to health care and essential medicines.
- 1990
Avène thermal spa reopens
[1]The Avène thermal spa reopened, and the Pierre Fabre Immunology Centre in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois was inaugurated.
- 1989
Vinorelbine authorised and Avène created
[1]Vinorelbine received marketing authorisation, while Laboratoires Avène was created within the group’s dermatology and skin-care activities.
- 1986
Pierre Fabre Japan formed
[1]Pierre Fabre Japan was established as a joint venture with Shiseido.
- 1984
Pierre Fabre Dermatologie established
[1]The group created Pierre Fabre Dermatologie as a dedicated dermatology business.
- 1962
Company founded
[1]Pierre Fabre founded the company in France, establishing the basis for the later pharmaceutical, dermatology and consumer-health group.
Products and positioning
An integrated French health-care group combining specialist pharmaceuticals, dermatology, cosmetics and family health products, with a strong research-based and internationally distributed operating model.
Oncology medicine · 1989
Navelbine (vinorelbine)
Navelbine is the Pierre Fabre brand associated with vinorelbine, an anticancer medicine in the vinca-alkaloid class. Vinorelbine received marketing authorisation in 1989 and became one of the company’s best-known prescription products. It represents the group’s historical strength in specialist pharmaceutical research and oncology.
Oncology medicine
Vinflunine
Vinflunine is a fluorinated derivative of the vinca-alkaloid family developed by Pierre Fabre. Reference material identifies availability in Australia for advanced or metastatic transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract after failure of a prior platinum-containing regimen. Availability and regulatory status may differ by market.
Dermatology and skin care · 1989
Avène
Avène is Pierre Fabre’s dermatology and skin-care line, created in 1989 in association with the group’s thermal-water and dermatological activities. The reopening of the Avène thermal spa in 1990 helped establish the brand’s connection with dermatological care and thermal treatment heritage.
Dermatological treatment
Ciclopirox olamine and piroctone olamine combination
Pierre Fabre holds a patent concerning the combination of ciclopirox olamine and piroctone olamine. The two active substances are described as being used together in treatments for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
Brand decisions
2025
Campus Chartreuse headquarters inauguratedOtherBackground
The group continued to consolidate its presence in Castres through a new headquarters project.
Action taken
Pierre Fabre inaugurated Campus Chartreuse in Castres during the autumn.
Aftermath
The inauguration reinforced Castres as the group’s headquarters location. No further operational or financial outcome is specified in the reference material.
2014
Trajectoires 2018 restructuring planStrategyBackground
The group announced organisational changes during a central works council meeting, citing a strategic plan named Trajectoires 2018. The research and development and medical-promotion divisions were affected.
Action taken
Management announced the elimination of 551 positions in France and Barcelona, while stating that internal redeployment would be pursued for some employees, including those in Midi-Pyrénées.
Aftermath
Trade unions expressed concern about the potential layoffs and their effect on regional employment. The available reference does not establish the plan’s final employment outcome.
Recent events
Laboratoires Pierre Fabre appoints Nicolas Zombré CEO of U.S. Dermocosmetics operations[3]
Reported:
Laboratoires Pierre Fabre announced the appointment of Nicolas Zombré as Chief Executive Officer of its U.S. Dermocosmetics operations, overseeing brands including Avène, René Furterer and Klorane as the company expands its U.S. footprint across retail, medical and digital channels.
EORTC and Pierre Fabre announce melanoma research partnership[4]
Reported:
EORTC and Pierre Fabre announced a partnership to plan, design and execute a Phase 3 study of targeted therapies for patients with resected Stage 2 BRAF-mutant melanoma; the study was described as currently under approval with authorities.
Elsevier releases updated DDIRC 2.0 in PharmaPendium[5]
Reported:
Elsevier, together with pharmaceutical collaborators, further refined and extended its drug-drug interaction risk calculator in PharmaPendium. The DDIRC 2.0 release includes updated visualizations and filters, a more comprehensive dataset, and improved dossier submission support.
Sources5 sources
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