Galderma acquires dermatology company Spirig

Specialty pharmaceutical company Galderma Pharma SA is set to acquire Spirig Pharma AG, a dermatological product manufacturer, in early 2013.

Spirig’s products treat conditions such as solar damage and skin barrier function impairment. In addition, the company has a range of medically proven products that prevent pre-cancerous conditions, such as actinic keratosis, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. Galderma plans to use Spirig’s Egerkingen location as headquarters to its Swiss market operations and as a centre of excellence.

Humberto Antunes, chief executive officer of Galderma, said: “We are delighted to join forces with Spirig Pharma. Spirig has a holistic approach to protecting, treating, restoring and preventing dermatological conditions, which is closely aligned to that of Galderma. With this acquisition, Galderma will become the dermatology market leader in Switzerland, our home country. Additionally, with our global presence, we will be able to make Spirig’s outstanding products available to a larger number of patients around the world.”

Spirig, which is based in Egerkingen, currently employs 390 people and generated sales of CHF98.4m in 2011. “Galderma fulfills all the stringent criteria we set when we started looking for a new owner,” said Dr Beat Sägesser, chief executive officer of Spirig. “Becoming part of Galderma will provide Spirig with the ideal conditions in which to develop and take its business to a new level and provide new opportunities for our employees.”