The Pierre Fabre Group has acquired Même, the first French dermo-cosmetic brand for patients experiencing the side effects of cancer treatments. A minority shareholder for 5 years, Pierre Fabre has acquired the remaining capital from the co-founders and the Eutopia investment fund specializing in “emerging consumer brands”, via its Otium Consumer fund.
Launched in 2017 by Judith Levy Keller and Juliette Couturier, who will continue to manage the company, Même has won over the hearts of people affected by cancer by offering the first skin, scalp and nail care range, developed in collaboration with oncologists and dermatologists, to address the side effects of cancer treatments.
“With the Pierre Fabre teams, we will be able to develop excellent synergies to accelerate our development, particularly on the international front, and turn our dream into reality: making MÊME accessible to those who need it, everywhere in the world and for many years to come,” said Judith Levy Keller and Juliette Couturier, co-founders of Même.
The brand was born following the painful personal experiences of the co-founders. Judith Levy and Juliette Couturier have first-hand experience of the physical (adverse effects on the skin, mucous membranes and hair) and psychological difficulties that cancer patients often encounter both during and after their treatments. They refused to accept defeat and created a range of dermo-cosmetic care products and make-up based on natural ingredients, with formulas that have been tested to guarantee tolerance and efficacy.
According to Frédéric Ennabli, CEO of Pierre Fabre, Même – which has established itself as a reference brand when it comes to heal skin damaged by cancer treatments – is a perfect fit with Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetics’ mission to provide solutions for skin conditions and improve the lives of patients and consumers.
The acquisition of Même by Pierre Fabre signals the continuation of the commercial partnership signed in December 2017. For three years, the sales network of the Eau Thermale Avène brand introduced the philosophy and products of Même in pharmacies and drugstores. Today, the brands offers a portfolio of 46 products, in 4,800 pharmacies and drugstores, as well as on its online store.
The brand is already distributed in 10 other countries (Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Romania, Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Italy and, more recently, China) with significant potential for growth in numerous markets.
“Through this acquisition, we confirm our strategy of investing in innovative brands and products in our priority areas of oncology, dermatology and dermo-cosmetics. Through its positioning, MÊME is at the very crossroads of these 3 strategic priorities. When I first met Judith and Juliette 5 years ago, I realized very quickly that we shared common values and that their project had strong development potential. We will now continue to write this meaningful story together in service to those affected by cancer,” concluded Eric Ducournau, CEO of the Pierre Fabre Group.
