An objective is born
In 1977, Gérard Leduc and Patrice Debregreas created Ethypharm as a 100% French-owned SME with family-held capital. From the start, Ethypharm has been committed to developing sophisticated methods for drug delivery (DDS for Drug Delivery Systems) by placing patient comfort at the heart of its endeavours.

Production of the first batches of Vincamine with the launch of Tripervan®

Exemplary growth
The first technological and commercial successes for Ethypharm confirm the validity of their starting ambitions. In fact, over the years, the company has been laying the groundwork for its current European leadership by strengthening its teams, attracting competencies, setting itself up abroad and consolidating its reputation among pharmaceutical companies. It is for these companies that Ethypharm has been building and strengthening its broad product and technology range.

Launch of Armophylline (Theophylline) and Ikaran® (Dihydroergotamine)

Launch of Fenofibrate Lipanthyl and Doxycycline Granudoxy® with Fournier (Abbott)

Launch of Monicor ® (ISMN) with Pierre Fabre
Progressively, the range of services expanded from pure R&D (with the development or adaptation of patented drug delivery forms) to providing medications in their end-user packaging. This included the registration and transfer of the required Marketing Authorisations, as well as the manufacture of marketed products.

Launch of Diltiazem with Houdé (Sanofi-Aventis)

Launch of controlled release Morphine sulphate for two daily doses with UPSA (BMS)

Launch of Nureflex (Ibuprofen) with Boots

Acquisition of Prographarm. Ethypharm acquires Flashtab® technology
Thirty years after it started, Ethypharm, the Number 1 European Drug Delivery Innovation company, boasts one of the most robust patented technology portfolios on the market. The company has 850 professionals worldwide working at its manufacturing and R&D sites in France, China and India.

Launch of buprenorphine with Arrow in France

Enter Astorg, and a new stage in Ethypharm's development begins
In barely 30-years' time, the core of Ethypharm's innovation - its employees' passion for engaging and its development strategy - help the Group take a decisive step forward.
Thus, Ethypharm approached Astorg Partners, an independent French Private Equity firm, which acquired the majority of Ethypharm's capital. This alliance helped the company pave the way for its future development by reinforcing its worldwide leadership in DDS and accelerating its R&D investment strategy.

Setting out to conquer the United States
In continuing with new objectives made possible since joining forces with Astorg Partners, Ethypharm sped up its international development and opened a subsidiary in the United States (Philadelphia).
Objective: specifically emphasise the presence of Ethypharm and its products throughout the entire North American market.

Arrival of Hugues Lecat.
The arrival of Hugues Lecat, the new Chairman of the Management Board, marks a fresh driving force in Ethypharm's global development.
With the supervisory board, the course is set and ambitions are high: by 2020, Ethypharm will be equipped and organised to technologically, structurally and professionally position itself as the preferred partner for the major global pharmaceutical companies.