_HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF VIFOR PHARMA


More than four decades of experience

2008 _The acquisition of the Canadian Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corporation results in the foundation of the new Vifor Pharma. Under this umbrella, the former companies of Galenica’s Pharma business sector – Vifor (International), Vifor, Aspreva and Potters – form this fully integrated speciality pharma company. Vifor Pharma and Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, have entered into an exclusive license agreements for Venofer® and Ferinject® to treat iron deficiency anaemia experienced by dialysis patients. The launch of Ferinject® in Switzerland starts with success. With the acquisition of 51% of Sweden’s Renapharm, a company specialised in the sale of medicines for iron deficiency therapy, Vifor Pharma strengthen once more its presence in key European markets. Furtner, Vifor Pharma has entered into an agreement with Syner-Med Pharmaceutical Products (SMPP), its longstanding partner for the markets in the UK and Ireland. SMPP's market knowledge gained through this agreement will be instrumental in establishing Ferinject® in new indications and in ensuring an optimal transition within the context of the changes affecting the existing market of Venofer®. In April, Equazen eye q™ was introduced to the Swiss market under the name Equazen IQ™.   

2006/2007 _The registration files for the new iron-based product Ferinject® are submitted in Switzerland and in 18 countries of the EU in 2006 and approved in 2007. In November 2007, it is successfully launched in Germany. By acquiring several brands in the UK, Galenica takes a key step towards expanding abroad via its British subsidiary, Potters (today integrated in the business unit Vifor Pharma Consumer Healthcare).


2005 _Vifor (International) Ltd. sign long-term cooperation agreements to market existing and future iron products on the US market. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approves Venofer® for treating iron-based anaemia in pre-dialysis patients in the USA.

2004 _With the acquisition of Potter's (Herbal Supplies) Ltd., a UK company specialised in botanicals, Galenica lays the first stepping stone towards its expansion into Europe.

2003 _Galenica takes over the manufacturer of Perskindol®, Pharma Singer Ltd. Today, Perskindol® is one of the best-selling OTC products of Vifor Pharma. Aspreva (taken over by Galenica in 2008) enters into an exclusive collaboration agreement with Roche for the woldwide (ex Japan) development and commercialisation of CellCept.

2001/2002 _The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) approves the iron product Venofer® for the US market in 2001. A year later, Venofer® is already global market leader for i.v. iron products.

1997-1999 _Considerable investments are made to develop new products for Vifor Ltd. with the aim to push Galenica’s internationalisation. Laboratoire Golaz AG, specialised in OTC and prescription products, is taken over by Galenica. The acquisition of Medichemie Group strengthens Galenica's position in the Swiss healthcare market with its herbal remedies and gastroenterological products.

1991 _The activities in the fields of pharmaceutical specialities of the former Hausmann Laboratories Inc. lead to the foundation of Vifor (International) Ltd. The company concentrates on the manufacturing of iron products for the treatment iron-deficiency diseases, whereas its sister company Vifor Ltd. develops and produces OTC medicines for the Swiss market. The activities in the fields of infusion preparations/hospital supply are sold to B. Braun Melsungen Inc.

1983 _The Hausmann Laboratories Inc. are acquired by the Galenica. The company is specialised in perfusions and sterile solutions, as well as iron products.

1972-1977 _Galenica acquires the manufacturing companies Vifor Ltd. and Cooper Ltd., which operate in the areas of hospital supplies and pharmaceutical products. With the creation of Adima Ltd. (later Vifor Ltd.) the cosmetics sector is added to activities of Galenica.

1952-1957 _The activities as a production company for hospital supplies and iron supplementation products lead to the foundation of the Hausmann Laboratories Inc. in St. Gallen. Galenica diversifies into new areas setting up the new subsidiary Panpharma Ltd. (later Vifor Ltd.) specialised in marketing and distribution of pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical products through pharmacies.

1872 _The pharmacist Conrad Ferdinand Hausmann founds a pharmacy in St. Gallen. His interest for the development of pharmaceutical preparations leads to the production of infusion preparations and the development of pharmaceutical specialities.