The Italian pharmaceutical company Italfarmaco has finally taken over 100% of the shares in the Spanish company Lacer, following the agreement reached with its owners, the Andress family. The sale process was triggered by the strategic review carried out by the shareholders following the untimely death of Lacer's Chairman, Helmut Andress.

The Spanish pharmaceutical company Lacer specialises in health care and personal hygiene, a segment in which it markets well-known brands, particularly in areas such as oral hygiene, varicose vein treatment and hair loss, including the Lacer brand itself, Thrombocid, Pilexil, Anso and Talquistina. It does also offer a wide range of medicines in the cardiovascular and urogynaecological fields.

70 years of history
The Lacer plant in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona) supplies both the national and international markets. The company brings a track record of over 70 years and a turnover for its new owner that exceeded 150 million euros in 2021. With 476 employees, it will increase the Italian company's workforce in Spain to 1,300 out of a total of 3,500 staff. The aggregated turnover of both companies exceeds 1 billion euros.

Italfarmaco also markets well-known brands, such as Natalben, Prodefen, Neuralex, Oniria, Aloclair Plus and Ainara. In addition to strengthening its positioning in the health care and personal hygiene sector, this operation will strengthen other business areas, such as prescription medicines. The pharmaceutical company also has a plant in Spain, in Alcobendas (Madrid), which will gain prominence in the group going forward.

Consolidating the leadership position
The new owner’s objective is to consolidate Lacer's leading position by investing in its existing brands and expanding its product portfolio, as well as strengthening its international presence, which currently spans 18 countries, by integrating Lacer into its commercial network of subsidiaries and distributors.

Italfarmaco President, Francesco de Santis, said, "The incorporation of Lacer’s business, brands and talented staff is an important step towards further strengthening our company in Spain and continuing Italfarmaco's spirit of sustained growth, with the aim of leading the different business sectors in which we operate, providing new therapeutic alternatives that improve people's health.”

The Andress family did in turn explain, "Lacer will benefit from the support of a new experienced partner that will allow both companies to grow together to become a leader in the European pharmaceutical sector. This integration will allow Lacer to continue its success story, and ensure that the legacy it began over 70 years ago lives on.”

^{Photo: Italfarmaco}