Acquisition

Morocco's Laprophan moves to buy rival drugmaker Polymedic in roll-up drive

What's the deal? Morocco's LaprophanDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has agreed to acquire 100% of Corporate Investment Holding, the parent of Casablanca drugmaker PolymedicDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. The transaction, announced in October 2026, would give the Bennis family-controlled group full control of its rival. Financial terms were not disclosed.

What does Polymedic bring? Founded in 1964, Polymedic runs a 9,600m² Casablanca factory, employs nearly 280 people, and holds 138 marketing authorisations across more than 200 products. Its strengths span dermatology, cardiovascular care, and the central nervous system, and it manufactures for international firms such as AventisDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.

Why now? Morocco's pharmaceutical market is expected to grow 7.8% in 2026 to 38.6bn dirhams, up from 35.8bn dirhams in 2025. Local manufacturers already supply about 70% of the country's needs, making scale and production capacity strategic assets amid concerns that imports are rising.

What's the endgame? The deal extends a rapid expansion for Laprophan, founded in 1949. It bought Amanys PharmaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and a majority stake in Botanic PharmaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in 2024, then took 60% of Switzerland's RivopharmDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → in February 2026. Polymedic would add generics, contract manufacturing, and deeper domestic production.

What could go wrong? The acquisition is not yet approved. The Moroccan Competition Council has opened a review, and there is no confirmed completion date.

The purchase lands alongside Laprophan's push to list in Casablanca. The group won approval for an initial public offering worth up to 2.22bn dirhams, with proceeds earmarked for expansion, acquisitions, and industrial development.

The signal: Morocco's drug sector is consolidating as players chase scale to defend local production. Laprophan — with 1,450 staff, more than 1,300 marketing authorisations, and sales in over 50 countries — is building a domestic champion with regional reach.

Read more: africanlawbusiness.com, Business Insider

Image credit: Generated with Gemini

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