French Fancies: Arkopharma

How it all began

Doctor Max Rombi, a passionate believer in phytotherapy and co-founder of the Virbac veterinary laboratory, decided to devote himself entirely to his passion for herbal medicine and share the benefits of these natural remedies with the general public, by marketing a range of plant-based products. Rombi was convinced that most health problems are caused by a poor diet and that plants and natural substances can prevent and relieve most of our everyday health complaints.

Remember that in the early 1980s, phytotherapy was considered quite old-fashioned, and tended to be synonymous with formulations such as herbal teas and concoctions that were not easy to ingest.

In 1982 Dr. Rombi was the first to introduce plant-based supplements onto the market in capsule form, by replacing loose herbs with pre-dosed forms that are much easier to use.

Several years later, in 1985, he was also the first to adapt the cryogenic grinding process to phytotherapy, making it possible to offer plants in powder form, which enhances their efficacy and the bioavailability of their active ingredients. During the cryogenic grinding process, plants are crushed using liquid nitrogen at very low temperatures, which preserves all of their active ingredients and results in a very fine powder that is easy to assimilate.

The French Ministry of Health officially recognised phytotherapy as an independent branch of medicine in 1986, by classifying certain plants as medicines. This decision was based not only on their traditional usages, but also on numerous scientific studies. Arkopharma developed its first authorised plant-based medications, Arkogélules.

Thereafter, Arkopharma created four subsidiaries abroad: Spain, Italy, USA, UK and in 1996 was listed on the AIM-equivalent market in Paris.

In 1997, Arkopharma also made a name for itself by offering the first 100% plant-based product range, thereby cementing its status as leader in the field of phytotherapy. That year, in the midst of the “mad cow” health scare, the gelatin traditionally used for the outer envelope of capsules was replaced with a plant-based natural substitute: a derivative of cellulose (cellulose surrounds and protects all plant cells). For the first time, consumers had access to capsules that were truly 100% plant-based.

In the early 2000s, the company followed  a trail of acquisitions of like-minded companies and successfully expanded its range of dietary products. This expansion came at a price and in 2007 Arkopharma de-listed and set out an action plan to improve the Group’s operating margins, by reducing its product portfolio and launching an ambitious advertising campaign to boost the Group’s flagship products.

The action plan succeeded, the Arkopharma Group returned to profitability and was acquired in July 2014 by Montagu Private Equity.

Remaining Close to its Roots

There is little doubt that the concept has gone from strength to strength since then, and the healing power of phytotherapy has been backed up by numerous scientific studies around the world. Thanks to its health benefits and its natural dimension, phytotherapy has become part of our daily life.

 All images courtesy of Arkopharma