Fournier forecasts growth in Singapore

France's Laboratoires Fournier, which as part of its global expansionplans set up Laboratoires Fournier Singapore in July 2002 to sell its lipid-lowerer Lipanthyl (fenofibrate), says it has seen good progress there. It also notes that, with just one product, it has been able to sustain 15% annual growth.

Since then however, two more products have been added: the ACE inhibitor Tanatril (imidapril); and the calcium antagonist Herbesser (diltiazem). Turnover of LF Singapore for 2002 reached S$2.2 million ($1.3 million) and, comments Fournier, with the addition of Tanatril and Herbesser, growth of 31% is forecast for the operation in 2003. The privately-held parent company achieved estimated sales of 545 million euros ($593.3 million) last year, with around 67% of the total coming from outside France.