FRILAB was established in Fribourg following the acquisition of a portfolio of products from Rhône-Poulenc Rorer by Jean-Pierre Grave. From its inception, the company focused on emerging markets, with the Maghreb region and West Africa serving as its primary foundations.
The company was acquired while maintaining its identity as a family-owned business dedicated to international export activities, a characteristic it still retains today.
Under the guidance of its management team, the FRILAB Group significantly expanded its operations through the acquisition of new products and the establishment of licensing agreements with prestigious partner laboratories. Originally focused on West Africa, the Group progressively extended its geographic coverage to Portuguese-speaking and English-speaking African countries.
FRILAB acquired NEITUM Laboratories in Lyon, which became FRILAB France Laboratories in Paris in 2018. Today, FRILAB France Laboratories hold the Marketing Authorizations (MAs) from the country of origin and commercialize these products within the European Economic Area (EEA).
A representative office was opened in Lisbon to oversee and support the Group’s activities across Portuguese-speaking African markets.
These promotional subsidiaries now host 65% of Africa’s medical representatives, including a unique network of hospital representatives throughout West Africa.
To support its strong growth trajectory, the FRILAB Group reinforced its local infrastructure by establishing a regional hub in Abidjan, bringing together regulatory affairs and commercial operations.
Corporate support functions have been continuously strengthened over the years to align with the company’s sustained growth, particularly in connection with new activities in the CIS region and the Middle East.
The company is well positioned to continue its sustained growth through the acquisition of new products while maintaining its long-standing licensing strategy.