Galenica

Galenica was founded in 1927 by 16 West Swiss pharmacists. Their goal was to build a joint purchasing center. In 1938, Galenica laid the foundation for today's information management with the establishment of the scientific documentation service, Documentation Galenica. Starting in 1957, the company diversified in its core business through acquisitions and formation of subsidiaries. In the same year, Galenica also laid the first cornerstone in the pharma business with the acquisition of Panpharma AG and the diversification into the sales promotion of parapharmaceutical articles for pharmacies. During the 1970s, other pharmaceutical acquisitions followed, contributing to the development and production of prescription-free drugs . In 1977, the Codex Galenica, the first complete list of medicines in Switzerland, was published in book form. In 1983, Galenica acquired the Hausmann AG laboratories, which also produced products for the treatment of iron deficiency, which were later marketed under the brand names Venofer and Maltofer.In 1999, they entered into a strategic partnership with the British-Swiss health group Alliance Boots, which took over 25% of Galenica shares.In 2000, the founding of GaleniCare laid the cornerstone for the pharma chain and, in 2001, all activities in the area of information processing were transferred to the newly founded company e-mediat. At the beginning of 2008, the acquisition of the Canadian pharmaceutical company Aspreva Pharmaceuticals formed the globally active, fully integrated and specialized Vifor Pharma.

Ownership changed in 2007 for the first time, when a consortium of private equity investor KKR and Stefano Pessina, took over Alliance Boots; the Galenica shares were then held by Alliance Boots Investments 2 GmbH. The second change took place in August 2014 through the acquisition of Alliance Boots by Walgreens, and with the merger to Walgreens Boots Alliance; the Galenica shares remained with KKR and Pessina, and were held by Sprint Investments 2 GmbH. The announced exit of financial investors began in May 2016 with the reduction of the shareholding to a good 20%, and the further complete reduction to be completed by 9 January 2017.Also in August 2014, Galenica was divided into the Vifor Pharma and Galenica Santé divisions. The long-term objective was the split into two independent companies. Galenica Santé's public offerings , which will be targeted by the end of 2017, are the main focus here.Since 7 April 2017, Galenica has been listed on the Swiss stock exchange as an independent company. To confirm the separation of the group into two independent companies, Galenica acquired the US biotech firm Relypsa for over $1.5 billion. Galenica's shares raised $1.9 billion during their debut on the stock market.In 2019 Galenica purchased the Berner-Bichsel-Group acquiring a majority stake. The group specializes in the manufacture of personalized medicines and homecare of patients.