Research — the major component of a drug

The excellence of our profession arises from its mission, and what we have to show for it: discoveries, creativity, and new pharmacodynamic activities.

Just as a surgeon is defined not by the scalpel, but by the surgical intervention it enables, so our mission is not simply to sell medicines—the chemical equivalent of a scalpel—but to maintain life and provide relief through them.

Prolonging the span of human life, combating suffering, improving the human condition, creating well-being and hope: what more inspiring goals can there be?

Invent or die

Our research currently ranks among the world’s best. As much as 25% of our turnover is reinvested in research. By way of comparison:

• The average percentage of turnover reinvested in research by the top 10 world leaders of the pharmaceutical industry is 14%, a figure already considered to be high.
• The percentage reinvested in research by the French industry as a whole is 9%.

Our very deliberate research policy has achieved significant results:

• More than 50 000 chemical entities have been synthesized.
• More than 27 000 patent applications have been filed, including 25 900 outside France.

Our dedication to discovery is reflected in a workforce that numbers more than 3000 researchers.