Contrast for Life

Guerbet makes full use of its know-how and innovative capacity to meet the major public health challenges of the 21st century.

Our teams contribute to progress made in the diagnosis of major diseases (cancer and cardiovascular, inflammatory and neuro-degeneratives conditions). Our novel and effective imaging solutions improve patient management throughout the world.

As a real-life family success story, the Guerbet company has been contributing for more than a century to the major pharmaceutical discoveries that fuel progress in medical imaging.

2006 An international dimension.
In 1998 Philippe Decazes is appointed Managing Director of the Guerbet Group.
After opening three new European affiliates in Spain, in Switzerland (1997) and Austria (1996), and launching Guerbet Spa in Italy (2000), Guerbet continues its international expansion by strengthening its presence in Asia. Its Japanese affiliate, which opened in 1988, is followed by others in South Korea (1998), Hong-Kong (2000) and Taiwan (1999). In 2002 Guerbet also becomes established in the USA.
As part of its growth strategy, Guerbet acquires Medex Biomedical in 2004 and in 2005 signs a distribution deal with Terumo Corp in Japan.
Its product portfolio is further supplemented by the re-acquisition in 2002 of global rights for Oxilan® in X-ray imaging and the launch in 2003 of Artirem ®for MRI (intra-articular imaging).
In 2001 Guerbet is the first pharmaceutical group to be ISO 9001 certified for all its sites and operations in France.

1990 Bolstered MRI product range and continued pan-European construction
Guerbet continues its European growth by opening affiliates in Germany (1992), the UK and Turkey (1994). At the same time it bolsters its MRI portfolio with new products: Lumirem® in MRI (1993), Xenetix® in X-ray imaging (1994) and Endorem® in MRI (1995)

1975 An international dimension
Guerbet kicks off its international expansion by opening its first affiliates (1988-The Netherlands, 1982-Belgium, 1985-Portugal, 1992-Germany). At the same time, Guerbet strengthens its production capabilities by building a second chemical plant in Lanester (Morbihan) in 1981 and acquiring Simafex (fine chemicals) in 1987.
Guerbet markets Hexabrix® in the USA (1985) and in Japan (1987) while continuing to innovate by launching Dotarem® for MRI in 1989. Another major event in this period of expansion is Guerbet's flotation on the second market of the Paris Bourse.

1964 Research and consolidation
In 1964 Michel Guerbet takes over from his father André at the top of the laboratory. 1964 is also marked by the discovery of Telebrix®.
In 1968 Guerbet moves to Aulnay-sous-Bois and in 1979 adds Hexabrix to its range of X-ray imaging products.

1927 The industrial approach
Guerbet moves to Saint-Ouen. Marcel Guerbet and his son André push hard for initiatives in research, innovation and industrial and commercial business practices. New contrast agents are used in urography and angiography, bronchography and hysterosalpingography.

1901 Birth of a pioneer
1926: Foundation of the André Guerbet and Co. laboratory means that Lipiodol® can be used for the first time in radiology.
1901: Marcel Guerbet develops an iodized oil called Lipiodol®. Its opacifying properties, discovered in 1918, will make it the world's first iodized contrast agent.

Medical imaging: the most comprehensive product range
Guerbet portfolio contains 10 contrast agents for X-ray imaging and 4 for MRI. As well as a range of injection solutions and related medical disposables.

Patient diagnostics: 17 million doses given in 2007
More than 60,000 health professionals rely on our contrast agents to diagnose disease and assess treatment efficacy.

9% of turnover and 160 employees devoted to R&D
Molecular imaging holds fantastic promise for the 21st century. Our researchers continue to concentrate their efforts in 3 main fields: cardiovascular disease, oncology and inflammatory and neuro-degenerative conditions.

Involvement in more than 100 R&D partnerships
With its worldwide network of scientific partners in both the public and private sectors, Guerbet is fueling progress in imaging technologies.

Lipiodol, the pioneering contrast agent.
First discovered in 1901, Lipiodol in 1926 became the first iodized contrast agent to be used in radiology. It still serves today in diagnostic and interventional imaging.

1230 employees and 20 affiliates worldwide.
Guerbet products and services are made available in more than 70 countries through our affiliates and network of agents.

Turnover of €306m in 2007
Up 5,7% over the previous year with 25% market share in Europe and 7% in the world. Guerbet continues its growth in major markets. Our goal: become a major global player in medical imaging.

Four specialized production plants
Guerbet has acquired the facilities necessary for high-performance industrial production: 2 chemical sites for the manufacture of active substances, 2 pharmaceutical sites for the dissolution and packaging of contrast agents.

First pharmaceutical group to be ISO 9001-certified
All our sites and operations in France have been ISO 9001-certified by AFAQ. Most of our affiliates have also been certified ISO 9001 V 2000: Simafex, Guerbet in Germany, Belgium, Brazil, Italy and Portugal.