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Cinfa, 40 years taking care of people's health.
Through its injection of capital in 1996, Sodena supported the strategic decision by Laboratorios Cinfa to commit to the generic medicines sector. Through this operation the Navarre-based company became the first generic medicines laboratory with Spanish capital.
The birth of Laboratorios Cinfa in 1969 was due to the initiative of a group of pharmacists, headed by Ezequiel Lorca, who had the aim of recovering the role of the pharmacist in the drug development process.
The company is currently owned by 2,600 shareholders from all over Spain and has a workforce of over 900 people. The exponential growth and development of the company in recent years have led to the creation of 84 new drugs and an opening up to new markets such as Asia and the Middle East.
With over 40 years’ experience, Cinfa sells five product ranges in Spain: generic medicines in all the therapeutic areas, pharmaceutical and orthopaedic products and nutritional solutions.
Figures / Milestones
- 1996 - Turnover: 13.5 million euros.
Workforce: 125 employees.
Entry of Sodena into the company. - 1998 - The first generic medicines saw the light of day.
- 2002 - The company’s international expansion starts.
Workforce: 262 employees.
Sodena makes its exit. - 2010 - 400 million generic medicines in the market.
Turnover: 225 million euros. - 2012 - 84 new drugs (65 in Spain and 19 abroad)
Entry into the Asia and Middle East markets.
“Being a pioneer means opening up your mind, dreaming, and innovating on all levels.”
“We are not looking for a product, we seek health solutions for people.”
Every year Cinfa reinvests 90% of its profits in the company.
In 1996, Laboratorios Cinfa decided to make a commitment to the generic medicines sector as the way to achieve a major qualitative and quantitative leap forward in the development of the company. This approach was a risk for Cinfa, because generic medicines were just starting out in Spain at the time and there was considerable uncertainty about the legislative framework and consumers’ reactions.
At that time Sodena helped Cinfa to take on the risks of that strategic decision through its entry into the company’s capital. Five years later – when Sodena divested its stake – time has shown that it was the right decision; generic medicines have represented a historic leap forward in the evolution of Laboratorios Cinfa.
Javier del Rio
General Manager
