|
 |
 The name of Cardon has been linked to pharmaceuticals since 1967, when his father André Cardon founded "Apotheek CARDON" in the city of Blankenberge (Flanders, Belgium). After a period of fast growth André Cardon opened a second pharmacy in 1971 and one of Belgium's first clinical laboratories in 1973. "Klinisch Labo CARDON" rapidly developed into one of Belgium's largest laboratories and subsidiaries were established in the cities of Bruges and Ostend. |
| |
|
|
|
Chris followed in his father's footsteps and studied Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Ghent (Belgium), where he graduated in 1993. After taking over the family business in 1994 Chris Cardon finished an MBA-programme at Belgium's premier business school, "Vlerick Leuven Ghent Management School", in 1995. In the same year Chris Cardon developed his first healthcare product "Perio+", an antiseptic mouth rinse to treat problems such as gingivitis, oral malodour, bleeding gums, and other periodontal problems. To develop, produce and market this and other "Over The Counter (OTC)" products towards pharmacies in Belgium, Chris Cardon founded "Mooss Pharma" in 1996, which soon developed into an important player on the Belgian market. |
| |
|
|
|
End of 2001, Chris created CARDON Pharmaceuticals NV (“CARDON”) to seize opportunities in the animal health industry. The company started with the development of a number of original and high-quality OTC-products for companion animals which are currently exported to more than 30 countries, mainly in Europe and Asia. Because of its fast growth and success in becoming an important international supplier of innovative healthcare products for companion animals, CARDON received the prestigious reward “Export Lion of Flanders 2005” in the category Young Exporters, which was given by Fientje Moerman (Vice-President of Flanders, Belgium).
|
| |
|
|
|
End 2005, CARDON incorporated the business activities of Vetred S.L., a specialised distributor for orthopaedic instruments. This new activity and product portfolio allowed CARDON to create a more profound relationship with orthopaedic surgeons in Europe and position itself once again as a provider of added-value for veterinarians. The ambition of CARDON is not only to develop OTC-products but also to develop and market registered veterinary drugs. Early 2006, CARDON acquired an anti-bacterial eye gel for dogs (“CLINAGEL Vet”). This product was developed by Prof. P. de Backer, Head of the Dept. Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Toxicology at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ghent. |
| |
|
|
|
End of the first quarter of 2006, CARDON acquired 3 companies (Pharmavet - Medini, Ecuphar, Instrulife) in order to strengthen its market position in Belgium and to enlarge its product portfolio for export. After these acquisitions it was decided to change the company name into ECUPHAR NV. Consolidated 12-month sales of ECUPHAR in 2005 reached approx. 18.5 million euro and surpassed 24.9 million euro in 2006. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
