The Pierre Fabre Group today announced the acquisition of Même, launched in 2017 by Judith Levy Keller and Juliette Couturier, who will remain as CEO. Même has captured the hearts of people affected by cancer by offering the first range of skin, scalp and nail care products, developed in collaboration with oncologists and dermatologists, to address the side effects of cancer treatments. A minority shareholder for the past 5 years, Pierre Fabre is now acquiring the entire capital of Même from the co-founders and the investment fund Eutopia, which specializes in "emerging consumer brands", via its Otium Consumer fund.
Judith Levy Keller and Juliette Couturier, co-founders of Même, state: " It is with great pride and excitement that we announce today the entry of our brand Even in the Pierre Fabre family, which we already know well, as the group has been a shareholder and partner of our company for over 5 years. With the Pierre Fabre teams, we will be able to build great synergies to accelerate our development, especially internationally, and thus make our dream a reality: that Even be accessible to those who need it, everywhere in the world and for a long time. This is a beautiful story that continues to be written and we are convinced that together we will go even further.
Frédéric Ennabli, Managing Director Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmetics, explains : "Même is a perfect addition to our brand portfolio. By becoming the reference brand for skin weakened by oncological treatments, Même is completely in line with Pierre Fabre's dermo-cosmetics mission to respond to skin pathologies and improve the lives of patients and consumers. Même is the brand allied to women and men living with and fighting disease. It is a very positive vision of care. This patient support approach will be carried and amplified within Pierre Fabre, because it is valuable but also because it corresponds perfectly to our own values."
Even was born as a result of the painful personal experiences of the co-founders. Judith Levy Keller and Juliette Couturier were indeed led to discover the physical (undesirable effects on the skin, mucous membranes and hair) and psychological suffering that cancer patients can experience during and after their treatments. Refusing fatality, they have created a range of dermo-cosmetic care products and make-up based on natural ingredients and whose formulas are tested to guarantee tolerance and effectiveness. These products are made in France with one conviction: taking care of oneself and one's skin means being better equipped to accept treatment and fight against the disease. This story had seduced the investment fund Eutopia, which, as early as January 2016, had invested in the project via its Otium Consumer fund, to finance the first clinical trials.
Camille Kriebitzsch, Co-founder and Partner at Eutopiaexplains: "We've been with Même since its inception with the Otium Consumer fund, and we're extremely proud of the track record of its two co-founders and their team. Même is very representative of our "good for you, good for the planet, good for society" investment thesis and of what we do best. Seeing the brand join a group whose values and commitment it shares to write a new page in its history is the best illustration of this."
Pierre Fabre's acquisition of Même is a continuation of a commercial partnership signed in December 2017. For 3 years, the Eau Thermale Avène brand's sales network introduced the philosophy and products of Même to pharmacies and parapharmacies. Today, Même offers a rich catalog of 46 products at 4,800 pharmacies and parapharmacies, as well as on its online sales site. The brand is already distributed in 10 other countries (Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Morocco, Romania, Czech Republic, Ireland, Spain, Italy and more recently China) with a significant potential for growth in many markets.
Eric Ducournau, CEO of the Pierre Fabre Groupconcludes: "With this acquisition, we confirm our strategy of investing in innovative brands and products in our priority areas of oncology, dermatology and dermo-cosmetics. By its positioning, Même is precisely at the crossroads of these 3 strategic priorities. When I met Judith and Juliette 5 years ago, I understood that we shared common values and that their project had a strong development potential. We will continue to write this meaningful story together in the service of people affected by cancer."
