Pierre Fabre Laboratories a global fixture in innovative medical care

From its founding in 1962 through its expansion as a worldwide pharmaceutical and beauty-care company operating in more than 120 jurisdictions, Pierre Fabre Laboratories has kept people at the center of its purpose.

“Every time we care for a single person, we make the whole world better,” the French company states as its underlying philosophy. The company’s humanistic focus stems directly from founder Pierre Fabre who innovated his first prescription drug in 1959 from butcher’s broom, a Eurasian shrub. In 1982, the company launched its first anticancer drug, based on research into the Madagascar periwinkle, and soon became a global pharmaceutical concern.

In China today, Pierre Fabre’s philosophy informs a focus on patients, their urgent needs and the future of good health across the nation. This aligns with the central government’s Healthy China 2030 plan, which emphasizes national health and longevity. By 2030, the plan calls for “continual improvement in the health levels of the people, with a significant increase in the average life expectancy”.

Pierre Fabre has been operating in China since the early 1990s, prioritizing patient needs and targeting treatment gaps as it expands its research operations. The company is conducting two major clinical studies in BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer and nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the country while carrying out multiple collaborations and investments worldwide.

The company’s continuing work to innovate, develop and manufacture agents that address unmet medical needs in oncology is of relevance in China, where more than 4.5 million new cancer cases were reported in 2020 — accounting for more than a quarter of new cases worldwide. This indicates a higher rate of cancer diagnosis than the world average, given China accounts for some 18 percent of the global population.

As part of its ongoing efforts to combat cancer in China and around the world, Pierre Fabre Laboratories is collaborating with Boston-based Scorpion Therapeutics on targeted therapies that address specific lung cancer mutations occurring in 14 to 18 percent of tumors.

In addition, Pierre Fabre last year entered into a long-term partnership with Vernalis, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chengdubased HitGen Inc, to conduct collaborative research and development of preclinical candidate drugs targeting multiple tumors. It also acquired Vertical Bio, a developer of novel cancer therapies, allowing it to add a new monoclonal antibody with a capability to fight NSCLC.

These collaborations exemplify Pierre Fabre’s commitment to advancing oncology, with special relevance to the people of China. Globally, Pierre Fabre Laboratories dedicates about 80 percent of its R&D spending in medical care to oncology. Its current portfolio in oncology covers colorectal, breast and lung cancers, melanoma, hematology and precancerous skin conditions.

In keeping with its humanistic approach and alignment with Healthy China 2030, Pierre Fabre Laboratories works with national and local medical insurance authorities to make critical drugs more accessible and affordable. The company is constantly learning from China’s experiences to empower business growth through digital transformation and to accelerate the depth and breadth of its service in the Chinese market.

Tian Wee Ng, Pierre Fabre’s China region managing director for Medical Care, said the company gives equal priority to improving people’s quality of life and extending their lifespans. “In oncology product design, Pierre Fabre prioritizes efficacy as well as comfort and is committed to developing products that can be taken orally, making administration and adherence easier,” he said. “We have a dedicated pharmacovigilance and quality assurance team that continuously monitors and analyzes safety data to identify potential safety signals, communicates with regulatory authorities and safeguards product quality.”

While China’s pharmaceutical industry is poised for significant changes in 2024, driven by technological advancements, regulatory shifts and evolving market dynamics, Ng said Pierre Fabre Laboratories will continue to strive to bring promising treatments to patients with unmet needs in precision oncology.

“We see challenges, but more abundant opportunities,” Ng said. “Pierre Fabre will increase its presence in China with a long-term vision, an open mind and a positive attitude to contribute to a better future for all.”

We see challenges, but more abundant opportunities. Pierre Fabre will increase its presence in China with a long-term vision, an open mind and a positive attitude to contribute to a better future for all.”

Tian Wee Ng, Pierre Fabre’s China region managing director for Medical Care